The next couple posts will be a bit shorter, I’ve fallen behind!
Freedom Singer was awesome! The music was beautiful and poignant, and I loved Khari’s way of telling his story.
I guess I misunderstood the premise of this performance, it was a concert version rather than a theatrical version. Still, there was a type of narrative that I really enjoyed, that beautifully complemented the music. God, the music was awesome. Maybe I just haven’t been to a concert in a while (and I’ve never been to one alone) but it really hit me, even the opening act. For a while I was really, really immersed in the sound of the performance. It was an amazing experience.
Of course, the actual message or goal of the project came accross very well, too. Khari reminded me that the the aftershock of slavery is still being felt, and that despite a world still hostile to black people there is still hope. I left the theatre feeling warm and hopeful and inspired, something I was not expecting to feel after watching a show about the underground railroad.
I enjoyed the minimalist staging of this performance. I understand that it was probably due to the constraints of touring, but it helped me focus on the music. I also loved how small the theatre was, it felt intimate without being overwhelming. It felt authentic, I guess that’s the best word, throughout the show, like when Khari asked the crew to change the lighting and asked the audience to sing and pointed out some people he knew in the crowd. It was very different from the traditional theatrical experience, right from the beginning when we were told we could film and take pictures.
Overall, I really really loved Freedom Singer. I honestly don’t have any criticisms, except maybe that I wish it had played more than one night so I could bring other people to see it.
