Nina Negri, Vivian Reed and Andrea Jones-Sojola make up Cast I of '3 Mo' Divas,' at Arena Stage through Aug. 13. SCOTT SUCHMAN /ARENA PRESS

All-music program at Arena Stage has something for everyone

By LUCIA ANDERSON

Date published: 7/20/2006

WASHINGTON--Those looking for light summer entertainment could do a lot worse than the air-conditioned comfort of Arena Stage.

Artistic director Molly Smith is currently presenting an all-music show, and we mean all music.

Selections in "3 Mo' Divas" range from familiar operatic arias to doo-wop, blues favorites to gospel.

Because the show is taxing and performances have been scheduled every day, Smith has chosen two three-woman casts to trade the singing duties. The group I saw, Cast 1, energized the audience into repeated standing ovations. There's no reason to believe that Cast A would be any different.

The program started with Nina Negri launching into "Musetta's Waltz" from Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme." As soon as she paused to take a breath, Andrea Jones-Sojola stepped forward, not quite elbowing Negri aside, and took up the melody. It wasn't long before Vivian Reed edged her way into the spotlight and delivered her version.

Playing off the common understanding of "diva" as a temperamental performer with zero tolerance for sharing the limelight, the three women traded bits back and forth, finally joining their voices to complete the aria while the audience roared.

With the light-hearted tone firmly established, the women sang their way through Broadway and movie show tunes, jazz, blues, soul, rhythm-and-blues, spirituals and gospel music.

Highlights include Reed in a moving version of "God Bless the Child" and an absolutely incendiary rendition of "Fever!" She's got a warm whiskey voice that can belt those blues and jazz numbers right up to the top of the balcony. And her moves have to be seen to be believed.

Jones-Sojola's sweeter voice was outstanding on a variety of numbers, including "Your Daddy's Son" from "Ragtime," and "A City Called Heaven." She blew away the audience with her scat singing in "How High the Moon."

Negri is a bit shrill, particularly on the high notes, but she can dance!

The three combined on a number of songs--among the most memorable were a sassy "Hey, Big Spender" from "Sweet Charity," and a lovely "Harlem Nocturne."

The show, created and directed by Marion J. Caffey, had its premiere in San Diego in 2004.

Gretha Boston, N'Kenge and Jamet Pittman make up the alternate cast.

The women are ably accompanied by a six-piece orchestra, directed by e'Marcus Harper.

Dale F. Jordan has created an Art Deco arch that works perfectly as a backdrop for everything from opera to girl group.

Toni-Leslie James also has done a fine job tailoring costumes to the type and time of each of the sections. Formal gowns show up for the opera, slinky numbers for the show tunes. Bright red ensembles light up the soul/R&B section.

"3 Mo' Divas" offers music to fit everyone's taste in a high-energy performance, just the thing for a hot summer evening.

To reach LUCIA ANDERSON: 540/374-5405
Email: landerson@freelancestar.com

WHAT: '3 Mo' Divas' WHERE: Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St., S.W., Washington WHEN: Through Aug. 13 COST: $55-$74 INFO: 202/488-3300, arenastage.org

Date published: 7/20/2006