On film and television Cynthia Erivo has played Harriet Tubman, Aretha Franklin and soon she will star in a remake of the Bette Midler film The Rose. On stage she won a Tony Award for her staggering performance as Celie is The Color Purple. But the role Erivo will be playing on Friday night at the Hollywood Bowl will be herself. And I’m here to tell you it’s going to be an amazing concert.
How do I know? I was lucky enough to see her in the 2015 revival of The Color Purple. I wasn’t a big fan of the show as it was originally produced, but this John Doyle revival, which also featured Heather Headley, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Hudson (or Jennifer Holliday when I saw it) seemed like a completely different show.
By the time you got to the “eleven o’clock number” for Erivo dry eyes were not likely. Go here for a taste of how mind-blowing her performance was. She has the ability to break your heart and lift your spirits at the same time with a voice that makes powerful seem like an understatement.
And did I forget to add that once she wins an Academy Award (which I assure you will happen), she will join the elite group of artists who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award (EGOT). The remake of The Rose could certainly give her that opportunity.
Erivo is releasing her first solo album in September on Verve Records called Ch. 1 Vs. 1. She’s released two singles so far: The Good and Day Off. Both songs represent another style of singing for her. Certainly music from that album will be part of this concert.
I don’t know what the full setlist will be for this concert which is called Legendary Voices. The website indicates songs made famous by Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Annie Lennox, Nina Simone and Barbra Streisand will be included.
Whatever is on that setlist, her sweet dreams will be evergreens that kill you softly and put a spell on you leaving you with nothing but respect for her talent.
This concert is part of our list of Top Picks for the Hollywood Bowl season. For the full list, please go here.
For tickets to Cynthia Erivo go here.