Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical
Unless you are a Baby boomer, the name Lloyd Price won't register with most people — but thankfully, this outstanding production that captures this legendary singer's rise to fame resonates with the individual age of most theater-goes. But that's not to say that the younger generation wouldn't enjoy this high-energy, upbeat performance that will have you singing and dancing with the cast. On the contrary, I wasn't born when Price hit the charts, and I remember hearing his songs played by my mother and father when I was a young child, and yesterday, at the theater, I was immediately me singing and humming Price's tunes.
Studebaker Theater Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical chronicles Price's journey from humble beginnings, where he started as a young wannabe star in Kenner, Louisiana, to his revolutionary musical career.
Price's career began when he met Specialty Records owner Art Rupe and recorded "Lawdy Miss Clawdy." Rupe loved Price's soulful sound, helping him skyrocket to stardom in 1952 and shattering the "race records" barrier. Still, Price, one of the instrumental forces behind rock 'n' roll development and the first black teen to get airplay on white stations, faced incredible racial obstacles. His path to stardom hit a rough patch when segregationist Senator Richard Russell who wanted to stop intermingling between white kids and blacks, ensured Price got drafted. Price served two years, and the music world had moved on from Price—however, with the positive reinforcement from his longtime friend, Harold Logan, he was able to reinvent his career. Price continued to generate hits like "Stagger Lee" and "Personality," becoming an R&B sensation worldwide. The play deals with racism and the thievery of white singers singing songs originally sung by blacks, gaining stardom of financial wealth on the backs of blacks' music compositions.
Lawdy Miss Clawdy, Personality is a must-see performance.
Film Producer, Director, and Founder of Madoff Productions, B. Jeffrey Madoff, wrote the Book with Llody Price. Madoff, who was once on a conference call with Llody Price and Little Richard. He developed a relationship with Price and sat with him to bring attention to one of the forgotten superstars of the 50s. Director Sheldon Epps brings together a masterful performance of music, dancing, and narration that is captivating and enthralling. From the outstanding performance of Darian Peer as the young Lloyd Price to exceptional performances from Stanley Wayne Mathis (Harold Logan), Donterrio (Dave, Louis Armstrong), to Alexandria Reese (Emma), the cast of Personality was stupendous. However, the star of the night was Saint Aubyn. Nominated for the 2013 AUDELCO Outstanding Performance in a Musical Award, Saint Aubyn's narration and performance of Lloyd Price was phenomenal. Aubyn starred on Broadway in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and was an original cast member of Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations. He is an entertaining, energizing bunny whose chemistry on stage is intoxicating.
Lloyd Price's songs were recorded by Elvis, Aretha, Little Richard, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, and more. He became the first Black man to open a nightclub in Harlem, New York City, and the first recording artist of any color to create his record label and Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. This two-act performance featuring hits songs like Stagger Lee, Personality, Tutti Frutti, and Lawdy Miss Clawdy, which runs 2 hours, plus one 15-minute intermission, is a great night out for the 50's heartthrob to show the new kids on the block how it's done when it comes to great entertainment. It's a magical performance that the young and old will enjoy.
5 Stars *****
Studebaker Theater
PERSONALITY: The Lloyd Price Musical
Book by B. Jeffrey Madoff
Directed by Sheldon Epps
Choreographed by Edgar Godineaux
Musically Directed by Shelton Becton
