Taking on the story of singer Billie Holiday, Synthia L. Hardy transcends the drug-addled pity party to rediscover the fire and soul of a legend who never surrendered.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 09-17-2024
The tabloid press has been a powerful force in American popular culture and music ever since the first record was pressed and the first singer took center stage. Like the ugly media outlets of today, the press in the early days of Jazz and the Blues loved nothing more than to criticize African-American performers. Since these performers were human beings with flaws and imperfections, ripping apart their lives sold more newspapers than praising their talents. If they struggled, rather than helping them to their feet, a racist society often kicked them in the dirt. The beautiful Billie Holiday is a perfect example of such a victim of a seized narrative turned ugly.
At the Whitefire Theatre, Synthia L. Hardy, an award-winning actress and singer, has been starring in an inspired show she wrote about the singer Billie! Backstage With Lady Day. Indeed, the talented performer has been doing the show for over a decade, fighting tooth and nail, song and smile to reclaim the narrative of this legendary singer. Supported on stage by Lanny Hartley, the piano man and musical director of the show, she plays Billie Holiday backstage in between shows as reporters interview her. The audience is placed in the position of being the reporters.
As directed by Bryan Rasmussen, the owner and artistic director of the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks, the show is a rousing and emotional success. Revealing the perambulations between fragility and strength that characterized the legend, the narrative of Billie’s true-life story and personality is reclaimed. Recognized for the show’s efforts, Synthia L. Hardy won an NAACP Theatre Award for Best One-Person Show (2011). Lanny Hartley was honored during the same awards as Best Musical Director (2011).
However, appreciation of the show was put to the test several years ago when a representative from the Billie Holiday Estate, the official protectors of her legacy, came to the show. Given the lurid stories about her death and drug use, they have struggled over the years to focus on the best and sue the rest. Thus, when they came to see the show at the Whitefire Theatre, Synthia L. Hardy and Bryan Rasmussen were more than a little nervous.
Luckily, the nerves were not needed. The representative from the estate loved the show, expressing how it represented Billie Holiday as she indeed was: fiery and combative, passionate and kind. Synthia L. Hardy knew she had accomplished her goal by getting the estate’s approval stamp. Imagine a passion project about a beloved icon being recognized and approved by the icon’s representatives: It was a moment of transcendent satisfaction.
Taking the show to the next level, Synthia L. Hardy added a second half where she takes the stage as Lady Day. Backed by an accomplished jazz band, she sings an array of the singer’s greatest hits. The jazz band behind her was up to the task. Beyond Lanny Hartley on piano, the band included Damon Rentie on tenor sax, Tom Sala on drums, and John Hart on Bass. Although all the musicians were excellent, Damon Rentie did a particularly impressive impersonation of Jazz legend Lester Young. Since Lester and Billie are forever tied together in their renowned performances, it was ideal to have a sax player who could fill the shoes of a giant.
The audience in a standing-room-only house left the Whitefire Theatre with a sense of time-traveling wonder and fulfillment. It was a pleasure to experience a performance that not only was entertaining but also reclaimed the personal dignity and artistic integrity of a legend.
