A generation ago, Generation Xers fell hard for a timely realistic urban love story that was the movie entitled, Love Jones. The movie made stars of it’s two main characters portrayed by actors Lorenz Tate and Nia Long. The movie was stylish with poetry reading and a iconic soundtrack that captured the mood of the late 1990’s. We all wished we could feel like that again. We wait no more !
Love Jones The Musical, a stage adaptation of one of the greatest urban films of all time, is touring the US and SobeSavvy.com was invited to review it last night at DPAC in Durham, NC. I am a big fan of this iconic movie and was thrilled to be apart of the 20th anniversary celebration of the film.My guest and I were ready to sing the songs and recite the poetry we all came to know and love, however MC Lyte made the audience aware that: a) this is not the movie but a musical so expect lots of music b) there will be no poetry from the movie c) there will be no Nia Long or Lorenz Tate but if you want to see them, watch the movie at home! The audience laughed along and was ready to have a great time!
Originally released as a movie in 1997, Love Jones became a cult classic that captured the imagination of an entire generation! Ask any culturally-aware man or woman over the age of 30 about Love Jones and you will almost certainly encounter a nostalgic, almost reverent, retelling of the classic, yet gritty, love story of Darius and Nina. The brand recognition of this title, amongst the core demographic, is astonishingly universal.
The screenplay, written and directed by Theodore Witcher, brings the title of the movie to life with the help of musical stars Musiq Soulchild, Chrisette Michele, Marsha Ambrosius, MC Lyte, Dave Hollister and Raheem DeVaughn ! Also Michel’le , who recently shared her story in the movie “Surviving Compton” on Lifetime, was there and sung one of my favorite songs “Something In My Heart” ! These stars all have a recognizable catalog of hits which truly made Love Jones – the Musical an event and had us all singing in our seats!
This show is full of great music and dancing, and is produced with the size and scale of a concert, only with a theme. And that theme is the telling of a classic story that captured the hearts and minds of an entire generation of music and movie lovers.Tony Grant and Chrisette Michele did an amazing job telling the iconic and classic love story of Darius & Nina in Love Jones, the Musical. I highly recommend seeing it and experiencing a night of r&b , hip hop and soul when Love Jones The Musical comes to your city.
SobeSavvy tip : If you live in North Carolina, you have more chances to see this show tonight in Charlotte Oct 20 and Fayetteville Nov 9
For more information please go to www.LoveJonesTheMusical.com
To learn what is up next at DPAC, check out www.DPACnc.com
I am SO gonna check to see if this is coming to my town..Thanks for the heads up !
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome..definitely a show to experience. Alot of memorable moments! I posted in the article what cities they are going to as well as a link. Hopefully they are coming near you. Enjoy!
LikeLike
You are welcome! I losted a link ehere you can check to see if they are coming to a city near you as well as a listing! Good luck!
LikeLike
I was a fan of the original movie in the 90s and even use name of the movie Love Homes as an answer to one of my security questions. McLyte did a great job of setting the stage for the audience so that we could be prepared to enjoy the musical and that I DID…..even down to the curtain call!! A few scenes could have been less buffoonish like the dance scene with the overly flamboyant guys and the blind date. I know it happens but it didn’t add value to the overall musical. Overall an A performance in my opinion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your experience of the show ! One of my fave parts was the phone sexting between Darius and Nina and the surprise singing cameos ! My least fave was what I thought to an overusage of the N word.
LikeLike
You’re right, a love jones for the movie will guarantee the Musical will also be a delight to remember for life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed the show, the music definitely made it awesome. The performers gave their all and gave me goosebumps at times. It was definitely a good time and I had a blast singing along like I was at a concert!!
LikeLike