Cookin’ at the Cookery
Written, directed, and choreographed by: Marion J. Caffey
Starring: Ann Duquesnay, Janice Lorraine
Showing at: San Jose Repertory Theatre through August 3rd. Parental Notes: Although this production is not rated, it might qualify as a PG for some language and sexual innuendo. This is an inspiring show, especially for any child who wants to sing. Alberta Hunter followed her dreams and had a long, rich life in which she did everything she’d dreamed of doing, and more.
To call Alberta Hunter a powerhouse of a woman would be an understatement. She left Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 16 to pursue a singing career that took her around the world and made her a household name, then left show business at the age of 62 to become a nurse, only to make a triumphant comeback at the age of 82. “Cookin’ at the Cookery” is a delightful two-woman show about her life, filled to the brim with no-nonsense spirit and blues that will set your spine on fire.
The blues, Hunter tells us, are “like walkin’ through hell with gasoline drawers on,” and the words ring true as the cast and onstage band blaze through song after song from Alberta’s career. These are songs to set your drawers on fire, to make your heart burn with loneliness or humor or love for the people who matter most in your life.
By turns heartbreaking and hilarious, Hunter’s life was rich and poignant. Her close relationship with her mother, her frustration with racism and biases against her age, and her constant drive to sing are all brought to vivid life by Ann Duquesnay (who received the Drama-Logue Award for her performance in this role in New York) and Janice Lorraine.
Both actresses are equally skilled at acting and singing, and as they seamlessly glide in and out of different roles and times in Alberta’s life, we are treated to a series of scenes in this amazing woman’s life. Beginning with her childhood in Tennessee (with Lorraine ably taking the part of young Alberta) and following her through to her triumphant comeback at the Cookery (with Duquesnay slipping off her heels to tell the audience, “sometimes my feet can sing the blues all by themselves”), “Cookin’ at the Cookery” is a delight.
Lorraine’s abilities as an impressionist are astonishing. She goes from a thoroughly convincing eleven year old to one of the best impressions of Louis Armstrong around in under an hour. These transformations are done almost entirely with body language and facial expressions, with the occasional hat or pair of glasses to help out.
Duquesnay has a wonderful, deep voice as the mature Alberta Hunter, and shifts her voice and body language slightly for the other characters she plays. Her performances are full of emotion, no-nonsense practicality and a warm, rich humor emanate from her in the same pulsing roll as the songs she alternately belts out and slides across the theater like a surprisingly gentle caress from a mama grizzly bear.
This is a show filled with warmth and love and rich red colors to compliment the richly textured blues that fill the list of songs performed. Although we only get to hear a verse or two of some of the songs, they are all delights as performed by Duquesnay and Lorraine. The live band led by pianist George Caldwell are wonderful, although one wonders if they had music on their stands for show or for real.
Alberta Hunter was an amazing woman, and “Cookin’ at the Cookery” is a loving, blazing tribute to her life and her music. San Jose Repertory Theatre has a winner here, so be sure to catch it before it moves on again.