Even if you don’t recognize Ruth Brown’s name, chances are you know her voice. Dubbed the “Queen of R&B,” the legendary singer incorporated pop-music styling into traditional rhythm and blues music across numerous chart-topping singles like “Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean,” “Teardrops from My Eyes” and “5-10-15 Hours.”
Although Brown died in 2006, her music lives on in the world premiere of Miss Rhythm: The Legend of Ruth Brown at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) through Oct. 15. The cabaret show uses songs from Brown’s illustrious catalogue to trace her quick rise to fame from modest beginnings in Portsmouth, Virginia. Based on the 1996 book Miss Rhythm: The Autobiography of Ruth Brown, Rhythm and Blues Legend, by Brown and Andrew Yule,the show was co-created by local artists Sheryl McCallum, who stars as Brown, and music director David Nehls.
Even for audience members unfamiliar with the specifics of Brown’s life, the script ensures that you understand at least the SparkNotes version. Although the majority of the evening is spent blasting through 17 songs from her deep discography, the musician’s history is loosely recounted between songs in a series of brief monologues delivered by McCallum, interactions with the five-piece live jazz band and video clips of the real-life Brown sharing details from her past.
Directed by Kenny Moten and staged in the DCPA’s cozy nightclub-style Garner Galleria Theatre, Miss Rhythm has the atmosphere of a live concert. Unlike other biographical jukebox musicals that focus on bringing the artists’ stories to life on stage, this experience is primarily a vehicle for Brown’s toe-tapping tunes and McCallum’s transfixing talent.
Instead of trying to perfect an impersonation of the musician, the creative team made the wise choice to have McCallum’s portrayal of the title role function as a meta-theatrical embodiment of Brown. This decision allows McCallum to interact with the audience and demonstrate her skills as a dynamic storyteller. Each tale is interwoven with a thoughtfully curated song, allowing her to delve even further into the character.
Moten skillfully stages these musical moments against the dreamy scenic design of Lisa M. Orzolek, who transforms the Garner Galleria into a swanky swing-band setup. The show’s balanced technical elements are completed by the luscious lighting from Charles R. MacLeod, sound design by Max Silverman, subtle costuming by Meghan Anderson Doyle and projections by El Armstrong.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Brown or a curious newcomer, Miss Rhythm’s 75-minute runtime provides a succinct showcase of the artist’s “Body and Soul” through the music that made her famous.The must-see show is a long-overdue tribute to Brown’s iconic music that lingers long after the curtain falls.
ON STAGE: Miss Rhythm: The Legend of Ruth Brown by Sheryl McCallum and David Nehls. Various times through Oct. 15, The Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St., Denver. Tickets here.
