Starring blues and jazz vocalist Barbara Morrison as Thornton, the play includes music, dancing, comedy and drama.
Barbara Morrison plays an earthy, impassioned Big Mama--a primal, full-throated, aggressive blues shouter but sweet and mellow when the need arises musically, the show is impeccable.
Backstage Critics Pick
The play was magnificent and left the audience wanting more. This is one great show! Barbara Morrison shouts the blues with the best of them. What a talented cast and musicians just great!
Roar of the Crowd Winner on Goldstar.com
New dates are: Thursday, April 16 through Saturday, April 18; Thursday April 23, Sunday, April 26; Thursday April 30, Friday May 1 and Sunday, May 3; Thursday, May 7 through Sunday, May 10 and Thursday May 14 through Saturday May 16. Show times are: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Howlin Blues and Dirty Dogs enjoyed a sold-out five week run at the Secret Rose Theatre in North Hollywood last summer.
The spirit of the blues pulsates resoundingly throughout this stirring musical based on the life of Big Mama Thornton. Class act vocalist Barbara Morrison, who sports her own international credentials, delivers an affecting performance as the feisty soul singer
LA Weekly
Big Mama Thornton's work began in the 1940s and spanned over four decades. She was the first to have a hit with the song, Hound Dog, later eclipsed by Elvis Presleys recording of the same tune. In a similar occurrence Thornton wrote and recorded and had a hit with Ball and Chain" that was also a huge hit for Janis Joplin.
Howlin Blues and Dirty Dogs was written by the Theatre Perception Consortium - Larry James Robinson, Carla DuPree Clark and TuNook. Barbara Morrison's band The Bu Crew - Charles Small (guitar), Ronald Bishop (piano), Richard Taylor (bass) and Peter Buck (drums) provide the live musical accompaniment during the play and serve as Musical Directors. Pysa Noel is the choreographer.
The production is directed by Carla DuPree Clark that includes: Lou Beatty as vaudevillian Sammy Green, Larney Dapper Johnson as singer Johnny Otis, Phillip Bell as Johnny Ace and Aldene Sligh as Big Mamas sister. Robinson, Clark and TuNook were the producers and writers of the historical 1940s jazz musical North On South Central Avenue that won Best Sound, Best Costumes, Best Ensemble and Best Director at the 2004 NAACP Theatre Awards.
The Stella Adler Theatre
6773 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood.
Parking is located at the Kodak Center for $2.00.
Tickets are $35 per person (two for one on Thursdays) and can be purchased through: BarbaraMorrison.com or at the theatre the day of the show.
Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.com and Goldstar.com.
For more information call (310) 462-1439.
For more information contact Teresa Conboy PR.