The Black Legends
proves if it were necessary that there is no need for marketing, or the debauchery of technical means to put on a great show. All it takes is simple ideas and, above all, good artists. This production is THE musical to see in Paris at the moment.
It traces the lives of famous black American musicians, from the time of slavery to the present day. We thus enjoy a repertoire of great tunes where we find, among others, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Beyonce and Michael Jackson. These 37 titles, superbly served by a troupe of outstanding performers accompanied by musicians present on stage, have been expertly reorchestrated by Christophe Jambois, giving the whole a beautiful coherence. Although there is no headliner among the singers and dancers, the level is excellent.
Effective staging
We particularly salute the performance of Christian Schummer, who is as comfortable singing as he is dancing. As director, Valery Rodriguez is efficient and always on point, and Sami Bedoui's costumes are a pleasure for the eyes.
The words are not always light when he mentions racism and the abuses of the Klux Klux Klan; but it also gives even more relief to the conquest of civil rights through the figures of Martin Luther King and JFK. A whole epic of which African-American music is a reflection, as summarized in the song
“I'm Black And I'm Proud”
.
Bobino until April 28. Thursday to Saturday at 9 p.m., matinee on Sunday at 5 p.m. (01.43.27.24.24.)
This summer she will be at the Folies d'O in Montpellier on June 28 and 29 and, exceptionally, at the Chorégies d'Orange on July 16.