Love Jones Musical [REVIEW]

Here’s a review of the Love Jones musical from one of our very own listeners.

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Good morning,

When I initially found out the “Love Jones: The Musical” was coming to the Fox Theater, I was ecstatic. I was head over heels in love with the movie; the poetry, the execution of the script, and truthfully  they had me at Larenz Tate- so the play was going to be the next best thing, in my opinion. After winning tickets on Majic 107.5/97.5, my entire life was made…until I heard reviews about the play having nothing to do with the movie, it didn’t reflect two people being in love, the script was horrible, etc.; I was devastated, but I figured I had two free tickets, I’ll judge it for myself.

Before the play began MC Lyte stated “This is Love Jones THE MUSICAL. There is no poetry or any verbiage from the movie because this is THE MUSICAL..” With those words I began to see the play as just that- I wanted to view it as a play that had no affiliation with a movie; and I was completely and totally satisfied with the outcome. The musical was by far the best play and/or musical I’ve EVER seen. Musiq was hilarious, Chrisette Michelle was feisty and entertaining (how can you not love her?!) , Tony Grant was AWESOME as Darius and truly gave a new voice to the character- not to mention he verbally reflected love better than the actual movie. I’m not sure who played Josie and Troy but they were an absolute delight. They were saucy and witty. I could probably watch a show based solely on their characters. MC Lyte and Raheem Devaughn brought the Sanctuary’s house down! Although Marsha Ambrosious was not in attendance, Demetria McKinney gave me chills with her cover of “Late Nights and Early Mornings”.  Dave Hollister as himself gave me life when he went back “To when the streets were black” and sang “Before I let you go”. He also played the IRS man later on the play, and behind the wig and exaggerated voice, I couldn’t tell it was him until he snatched the wig off during the curtain call. He definitely encompassed the character. Now, for me, the part of the play that cause me to get my ENTIRE EXSISTENCE and to scream my face off was *insert drumroll here* Michel’le singing “Something in my Heart.” I lost my full-blown mind. She looked amazing and her voice was totally breath taking. For me to see the woman that I’ve loved from the beginning, adored on R&B Divas, watched Surviving Compton countless times, and whose voice I learned to imitate on command, this was the first time I became star-struck since seeing Beyoncé on tour. I even ran out to the lobby with hopes she would be out there signing autographs… For the record she wasn’t out there HOWEVER, I ran into actor Christian Keyes- who was rushing to and from the restroom and I didn’t want to disturb by asking for a selfie and/or autograph. So that was a highlight for me as well. All-in-all the experience was freaking AWESOME!!! If I could’ve gone again I would have. I wish the play was on DVD, because I would own it and I’m going to purchase the soundtrack that’s available online. Melvin Child’s is a genius and definitely stole my heart with this show! Bravo!

-Ireana Coleman

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