Signature Theatre in Shirlington, Virginia, features the singers and music from Stax Records for its latest cabaret, “I’ll Take You There: Stax Record Co.”
Songs from Stax artists were heard, including Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, Mel and Tim, The Dramatics, The Bar-Kays, Rufus Thomas, and his daughter Carla Thomas, in Signature’s current cabaret, which runs until Nov. 24.
This live music production is set in a club setting and has round tables to seat four people. There is room to enjoy refreshments and engage in chair dancing.
D.C.-Area Music Talent Deliver the Sounds
As soon as the band opened with “Green Onions,” a hit by the group Booker T. & the M.G.’s audiences knew some good old “Memphis Soul” sounds were about to fill the room.
Isaac “Deacon Izzy” Bell is a featured vocalist in the cabaret “I’ll Take You There: Stax Record Co.” at Signature Theatre until Nov. 24. (Courtesy of Signature Theatre)
Well-known in the local area music scene, composer, pianist, music director, vocalist, jazz instructor, and actor Mark G. Meadows continued as director of Signature Cabarets. Honored earlier this year with a Tony Award as the associate music director for Broadway’s Best Musical, “The Outsiders,” Meadows juggled his time between Broadway and Signature for this current cabaret.
He was intimately involved in identifying the talent and song selections in “I’ll Take You There,” and, as a result, audiences had a great time in the engaging show.
Director Sean-Maurice Lynch, who has worked on other Signature Theatre productions, achieved the perfect flow between vocalists Isaac “Deacon Izzy” Bell and Kanysha Williams. The two effortlessly traded lead singing parts and soared with their solos.
They had not performed together before “I’ll Take You There,” but they were focused on giving the audience the best time with classic Southern soul hits from Stax. They even got folks on the floor to dance.
Kanysha Williams is a featured vocalist in the cabaret “I’ll Take You There: Stax Record Co.” at Signature Theatre until Nov. 24. (Courtesy of Signature Theatre)
Williams graduated from the District’s Duke Ellington School for of Arts and received her bachelor’s of music from George Mason University, where her focus was on classical voice and opera.
Seeking more performance opportunities at Mason as she inched toward graduation, Williams initially auditioned for the university’s production of “The Wiz,” and landed the part of Dorothy.
While she admitted she didn’t get hooked on musical theater until that time her senior year in college, she has performed in other Signature productions and shows around the area.
Mark G. Meadows is director of Cabarets at Signature Theatre. He oversaw the production: “I’ll Take You There: Stax Record Co.,” a live music event at Signature Theatre until Nov. 24. He is a composer, pianist, music director, vocalist, jazz instructor, actor, and a recent Tony Award winner. (Courtesy of Signature Theatre)
“I fell in love with the process of making the musical,” said Williams. “I would go to the basic rehearsal, then rehearse with choreographers, then see the tech folks who are the sound and light crews. I began to understand how the production was built from the pages.”
Bell graduated from Howard University. He is a seven-time recipient of the Washington Area Music Award (Wammies). The singer and trombone player has appeared in other Signature productions and performed with groups such as The JoGo Project, DuPont Brass, Mark Meadows and The Movement, and Chrysis Entertainment.
Bell is also a music teacher at Friendship Public Charter School-Armstrong Campus.
“When I need soul singers, I know immediately who to call, Deacon Izzy and Kanysha Williams,” said Meadows. “Fortunately, they were both available for this Stax Records Co. cabaret. Their artistry exudes soul, passion and feeling, and together, I’m not sure the ARK is big enough for this soulful explosion.”
Bringing It All Together
Music Director DeꞌAnté Haggerty-Willis, also a Howard University alumnus and the University of Maryland-College Park, has worked on many Signature productions.
He led a tight five-piece band playing the guitar, Sequoia Snyder on piano and keyboards, Mike Paxton on sax and flute, Delorean Fullington on bass, and Joey Antico on drums.
Haggerty-Willis, who grew up in Southeast, D.C., explained his thought process as he approached the Stax cabaret. He saw an opportunity to create an environment that goes beyond simply entertaining audiences with beloved songs produced by a Black-owned record label that was able to rival Motown’s tracks.
“We’re not in the entertainment field. We’re in the healthcare field. Part of what we are doing here is healing and restoration,” said Haggerty-Willis. “We’re in the business of creating memories. Positive things that happened throughout people’s livelihoods. So, while developing it, I considered how this show and music would be presented. It is the holistic aspect of Stax Records.”
For tickets and more information for “I’ll Take You There: Stax Record Co,” which closes on Nov. 24 at Signature Theatre, go to sigtheatre.org or call 703-820-9771.
