Karamu’s ‘Simply Simone,’ a middling play but a magical performance

 

Bob Abelman

Cleveland Jewish News, The News Herald, The Morning Journal

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics

 

Karamu’s regional premiere of “Simply Simone: The Music of Nina Simone” received an immediate and thunderous standing ovation during this past Friday night’s performance.  And deservingly so. 

 

But the audience wasn’t applauding the spirit of Nina Simone, the incandescent soul singer and Black Power icon, who was one of the most influential, provocative and least understood artists of the twentieth century. 

 

The audience wasn’t applauding this production of this show either, for there is little in the way of staging to facilitate the storytelling.

 

No, the audience was applauding the performers. 

 

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