A Journey Beyond the Music

Twisted Melodies

When we’re privileged to enjoy the creativity of a talented artist of any kind—visual, musical, theatrical—the public usually has no idea of the struggles that person has endured. The only way we see, hear or know the creator is through his or her art. For most of us, that’s the only way we know the Soul Music Legend Donny Hathaway. But when we become immersed in the complicated world of this talented musical genius, in a show researched, written and performed by Chicago and National super talent, Kelvin Roston, Jr., we are treated to something far more than your typical jukebox musical. We find that we’re listening more closely in a journey beyond the music.

Donny Hathaway was a gifted vocalist, musician, composer and arranger of Soul Music during the 1970’s. He infused his music with jazz, gospel and classical influences. Donny was also proud to tell the world that he was born and raised in St. Louis where, incidentally, so was Kelvin Roston, Jr. As a youngster, Hathaway was very much influenced by his grandmother and, like many other African-American singers, began performing in church. He credited his early musical training to both his grandmother’s discipline and his excellent high school music program. Donny then went on to study classical music composition at Howard University. 

While at Howard, Donny met and became lifelong friends with singer Roberta Flack and percussionist Ric Powell, with whom he later worked. Before completing his degree at University, Donny Hathaway received his first professional job offer from Curtis Mayfield. He then relocated to Chicago and began recording for the Curtom Records label. During his lifetime, Hathaway worked with Curtis Mayfield’s band and talents like Aretha Franklin, The Staple Singers and The Impressions. After the success of Donny’s first successful single, a duet with June Conquest entitled “I Thank You Baby,” he’s remembered for a number of other hit songs. They include his breakthrough single, “The Ghetto” and the popular holiday song, “This Christmas.” With his dear friend Roberta Flack he recorded Carole King’s You’ve Got a Friend,” “Where is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You.” And Hathaway’s final solo album featured his brilliant hit, “Someday We’ll All Be Free.”

But Kelvin Roston Jr’s one-man show does something  remarkable that’s both extremely powerful and unique. Donny Hathaway suffered from frequent periods of depression, auditory hallucinations and severe mood swings. No doubt his public was unaware that Hathaway was heavily medicated for his unpredictable behavior and had been repeatedly hospitalized for his mental health crisis. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, the gifted Soul artist was sorely misunderstood. In this solo performance piece, Roston totally immerses his audience in the final hours before Hathaway took his own life in 1979. The show is like nothing this reviewer has ever experienced before, and Kelvin Roston Jr’s performance absolutely rocked the opening night audience to the core.

So much credit for the power and potency of this 100-minute one-act must, of course, go to actor/singer/musician Kelvin Roston Jr. But talented Chicago-based Director, Ron OJ Parson, has joined forces and collaborated with him to make this production astoundingly the best. He’s molded and crafted Roston’s performance to create a riveting memorial to one of Music’s most gifted geniuses in a way that’ll grab every theatergoer and never let go. These two talents, along with some brilliant support by an artistic technical team, take the audience on an unexpected voyage. They immerse theatergoers in how mental illness can totally overtake an individual. 

First, the play is set in a detailed, but nondescript, period hotel room Designed by Sotirios Livaditis. But layered on top of this locale we get to experience Hathaway’s paranoia. The illness manifests itself theatrically through Jason Lynch’s superb Lighting Design, Eric Backus’ commanding and scary Soundscape and, in particular, Rasean Davonte Johnson’s atmospheric and informative Projection Design. Altogether, the captivating ambiance these artists create combine to join Roston as another character.

TWISTED MELODIES is like nothing that theatergoers will have ever experienced before. Theatergoers will be enlightened and emotionally moved by this story of a true musical genius. But it’s the play’s sheer creativity, its profound artistry and its outstanding theatrical and musical performance, that are guaranteed to impress and entertain every audience member. This theatrical profile of a musical artist is much more than simply a jukebox entertainment. It’s a journey beyond the music. Please, do not miss this exquisite production. 

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented July 10-August 10 by Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 

(847) 673-6300 or by going www.northlight.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.