Celebrities’ names have been changed to protect the innocent and everyone else CrazySexyCool: TLC Musicaldebuts in a dazzling world premiere production on Arena Stage.
For those who already know the dramatic story behind the Grammy-winning girl group’s music, there’s no need to spell out all but three of the names in this show, written and directed by Kwame Kwei-Aruma.
Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez and Rozonda “Chili” Thomas formed the group TLC in Atlanta during New Jack’s 1990s. The singing, rapping, dancing trio went on to achieve incredible worldwide success, as evidenced by this hit-packed musical.
But between releasing huge hip-hop and R&B hits like “Creep,” “No Scrubs” and “Waterfalls,” the girls, collectively and individually, have so far weathered enough turmoil to fill a two-hour TV documentary, a biographical TV movie, and an infamous episode of VH1. behind the musicand now here we are.
Breakups and breakups, secret romances, cheating lovers, bankruptcies, health scares, and scenes of Left Eye burning down a man’s house all make up the scenes in Kwei-Alma’s delightfully soapy account, which is “based on music performed and recorded by TLC.”
This show doesn’t stick strictly to facts or, again, names of people we might know, so a slight disclaimer is warranted. Rather, the script outlines the group’s rise and personal struggles, highlighting the members’ sisterhood as a redemptive force that sustains them through each crisis.
Holly Gabrielle Conway, Jade Millan, and Stoney B. Woods play T. Boz, Left Eye, and Chili, respectively, and resonantly convey the friendship that holds these women together. Importantly, each one also passes the test of looking, sounding, and acting like famous models.
On opening night, that meant performing in front of T-Boz and Chili who were in attendance, and they still did it.
Conway gets into a good groove as the husky-voiced T-Boz, a cool, calming presence in the group thanks to an asymmetrically cut wig designed by Nikiya Mathis. As the spiritually guided Chili, Woods shares little vocal resemblance but still sings believably, creating a character that grows with artistry and industry knowledge.
But Milan are on another level. She perfectly captures Left Eye’s voice and rap flow, along with the late artist’s essence as the group’s livewire rebel, while simultaneously channeling her own voice as a dynamic musical performer. And when the character chooses to express himself in a more straight-forward R&B style, as on “Red Light Special,” Milan proves that he’s just as appealing as a singer as he is impressive as a rapper.
The show reinterprets the 1995 banger as a captivating love song between Left Eye and NFL star Michael Andre (Darius Jordan Lee), who meet at a club and quickly bond. It’s just a few scenes before Michael’s goofing around causes him to go berserk and set fire to a bathtub full of his sneakers.
The infamous fire that caused the worst fires behind the music The greatest quote of all time — “Oh my God, turn on Channel 5! Lisa burned down the house” — is illustrated with eye-catching pyro effect. Unfortunately, this quote is not included, but Kwei-Armah makes space for hits you know and album songs you may not remember.
The songs stand well within the script’s slightly (or sometimes drastically) altered context, and certainly sound sharp with music director Jarrett Landon’s 10-piece orchestra playing the sophisticated arrangements by David Holsenberg.
Directed with theatrical fervor, the musical numbers radiate the excitement of a live concert performance, especially when the ensemble is dancing their hearts out or when the lead trio shows off their famous TLC moves. Chloe O. Davis is in charge of the choreography here.
At the best shows, one of these numbers encapsulates the freshness, excitement, and yes, sisterhood, that women bring to the stage and the world. Not yet a big hit, they’re determined to score an opening spot on tour for headliner MC Hammer (Christopher Henry Young, a wonderful cleric in genie pants).
There, they barged into Hammer’s rehearsal, interrupting Hammer’s rigorous practice of athletic choreography to perform the group’s breakthrough hit, “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg.” Not to be outdone, Hammer hits back with “You Can’t Touch This,” and soon we’re in a ’90s take-no-prisoners dance-off.
Fun, infectious, irresistible, and nostalgic, this scene delivers all the crazy, sexy, and cool we could expect from TLC and this musical.
Crazy Sexy Cool: TLC Musical (★★★★☆) runs through Aug. 9 at Arena Stage, 1101 6th St. SW. Tickets range from $102 to $143, with discount options available. Call 202-488-3300 or visit: arenastage.org.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
