Pearl Bailey…By Request

Pearl Bailey was a force of nature and a legendary performer. Her signature sass is revisited, in the person of Roz White, in Pearl Bailey…By Request at the Rep’s Stackner Cabaret.

Pearl Bailey was born in Southampton County, Virginia, in 1918. She made her singing debut at 15 when her brother Bill suggested she enter an amateur talent competition at Philadelphia’s Pearl Theater. She won, and the experience led her to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

She began singing and dancing in Philadelphia’s black nightclubs and soon found work in other East Coast cities. Her solo successes as a nightclub performer led to work with band leaders Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington and, eventually, to many memorable roles in film. She was appointed the “Ambassador of Love” by Richard Nixon in 1970.

White, in addition to impersonating Bailey, co-wrote the show with Thomas W. Jones II. They worked many of Bailey’s life experiences  into Pearl Bailey…By Request, including her marriage to jazz drummer Louie Bellson in 1952. That romance was a good excuse for White to bust out such hits as “Takes Two to Tango” and “Too Close for Comfort.”

White, who shares a birthday with Bailey,  channels her subject’s larger-than-life personality and follows her lead in improvising and interacting with the audience. White perfectly captures Bailey’s essence, from her infallible confidence to her rare humor and wit. She bears a striking resemblance to Bailey, physically and vocally, with her deep, dark, powerful Bailey sound.

This is a demanding show for any singer. There is no intermission, and White talks and sings non-stop for over an hour. It’s practically a one-woman show. Still, her voice remained in top form and her energy never faltered.

The show fits the intimate Stackner Cabaret, which has the atmosphere of a ’40s supper club. Musical director/pianist William Knowles, bass player Don Linke and drummer Dave Bayles frequently interact with White but never overpower her. They have a cohesive sound and are well-versed in Bailey’s style and shtick.

Pearl Bailey…By Request is a delightful collection of songs and stories that bring Bailey’s spirit back to life, and believe me—she is as spirited as ever.

Pearl Bailey…By request will play at the Milwaukee Rep’s Stackner Cabaret from through Feb. 28.  Tickets $30-$45.  Showtimes vary, so visit the Milwaukee Rep or call 414-224-9490 for more information.