OUT 534--STAGE VIEWZ--TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD presented by the BLACK REP at GRANDEL THEATRE

Photos courtesy of the Black Rep

The cast. during the song number, Frankie Lymon's "Why Do Fools fall in Love,"

Something was definitely good at Black Rep
By Ma’at Atkins

Currently staged at the Grandel square Theatre (until Feb. 8), “Tell Me Something Good," which was conceived by Black Rep founder and producing director Ron Himes, is a return fave of Black rep fans (last seen in 2006 during its 28th Season).

Staged with a simple setting of expressionist artwork (vintage label albums on both sides of the stage) The show itself is more of a nostalgic concert than a musical with a plot consisting of flashy period costumes (designed exquisitely by award winning designer Karen Perry) and dance moves (choreographed by Lazette Rayford-OBrien) .

From left: Sarah Stephens, Tameka Bradford and Lisa Harris during a Supremes medley.

"Tell Me" returning cast members include Black Rep vets Drummond Crenshaw, J Samuel Davis, popular STL singers Lisa Harris and Rochelle Walker aka Coco Soul and dancer Nikki Thomas. It also stars newcomers singers Brian Owens and 2004 American Idol contestant Deandre Perryman.

All of the singers and dancers are great. There were, of course many standouts, surprisingly not by the vets (with the exceptions of Crenshaw’s guffawish physical comedy throughout his song numbers) but from the newbies especially Tameka Bradford and Sarah Stephens who have their moments of wowdom (Bradford’s was out staging duet partner Harris on Aretha's "Aint No Way" and Stephens as Diana Ross in the Supremes numbers) and their duet of Aretha's "Dr. Feelgood" is spine chilling!

J Samuel Davis, Brian Owens, Deandre Perryman and Drummond Crenshaw during Boyz II Men's "End of the Road."

So, expect a toe-tapping good time (especially if you’re 50 years old and older) bringing back memories of ones youth and life through the songs from yesteryear’s biggest songs and artists). But the question remains: What s the significance of the Rufus song, “Tell Me Somethin Good” as the title of the musical as well as the intro and outro number ?

Tell me Somethin Good
Plays thru Feb. 8
The Grandel Square Theatre
3610 Grandel Square
Thursdays 7 p.m.
Friday &Saturdays 8 p.m.
Satuirday and Sundays matinee 3 p.m.
For tickets or more info call 314.534.3810 or www.theblackrep.org.