Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – André De Shields and Amber Iman conjure uncompromising Black magic at Feinstein’s/54 Below

• By drediman
• August 14, 2021
• No Comments

So far in August, I found two cabaret acts – both at Feinstein’s/54 Below – to have been particularly potent in conjuring uncompromising Black magic. Here are my thoughts on those memorable evenings.

ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS

Before resuming his astonishing Tony-winning work in Hadestown in early September, André De Shields graced the stage of Feinstein’s/54 Below last week with his cabaret act Black by Popular Demand (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). Even more so than the typical concert at the indispensable theater district supper club, Mr. De Shields’ latest show exuded an uncommonly rich sense of theatricality, complete with costume changes, immersive ritualistic elements, dance, and even spoken word. Despite the boisterous Black joy on display throughout, there was an overarching sense of urgency that sought to address the fundamental ills of our society. The evening included a fabulously distinct trio of “back-up” singers (Kimberly Marable, Lori Tishfield, and Freida Williams – each triumphant queens in their own right), whom Mr. De Shields, as the concert’s charismatic high priest, gracefully and generously let shine in their respective solo turns (and shine they did!). But it was the vitality of Mr. De Shields’ intoxicating and well-earned star-power that held the eclectic and organically structured show together and gave the mystical evening direction and purpose. When he beamed his genuine smile and unleashed that soulful, yearning voice of his, it seemed that the room was transported beyond time and space – gods and forebears were with us and anything was possible.

AMBER IMAN

Then we have Amber Iman, who wraps up her half-week residency at Feinstein’s/54 Below tonight. Although Ms. Iman has had some early success starring in such Broadway musicals as Shuffle Along, Soul Doctor (playing none other than Nina Simone), and Hamilton (playing Peggy/Mariah), the statuesque beauty is candid – often painfully so – in her cathartic cabaret act (RECOMMENDED) about her love-hate relationship with the theater industry, among other things in her life associated with being a Black woman. As such, Ms. Iman’s cabaret functions as a sort of cleansing therapy session in which she turns her attention to and basks in the things that bring her joy – which primarily relates to various aspects of her Black heritage. The obviously talented Ms. Iman possesses a dazzlingly powerful and flexible voice that can easily handle the belting demands of Broadway (her soaring rendition of “Hold On” from The Secret Garden, the sole show tune of her set, was a home run) and the more suave song stylings of R&B and pop (I was beguiled by her striking interpretations of Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love” and especially Whitney Houston’s “I Want to Dance with Somebody”, as backed by her jamming band). Although both Ms. Iman and Mr. De Shields’ concerts bank on the power and beauty of Blackness to change the world, Ms. Iman’s show focuses on fixing herself as a crucial first step in doing so.