Taft Theatre | Cincinnati OH
His name was RICK JAMES!
The Taft Theatre in Cincinnati was buzzing with anticipation of an entertaining evening, but what I experienced exceeded all expectations. “Super Freak: The Rick James Story” not only delivered great performances, but also unveiled the captivating story of a music legend. Produced by Je’Caryous Johnson and Ty James (Rick James daughter) it was very well executed.
I found myself immersed in the journey of Rick James, younger self played by actor/singer Kobe Brown, to the Rick we all know portrayed with unparalleled charisma by Stokley from the R&B group Mint Condition. The story unfolds from his humble yet rebellious beginnings as James Ambrose Johnson Jr. to the heights of superstardom.
What surprised me most was the depth of Rick James’s story. Of course, I’m familiar with his music, (who isn’t) but I knew very little about the man himself. Info I never knew was how his stage name came about, his time in the Navy Reserves, his early ventures into music, including forming a rock band with none other than Neil Young…yes, from Crosby, Stills and Nash! He declined to co-produce a Diana Ross album, because he didn’t want to share the credits… it was all or nothing! From pop, to soul, to funk, writing and producing for many artists added layers to his persona that I had never imagined.
One particularly chilling revelation was James’s fortunate absence from a party hosted by Sharon Tate (yes THAT Sharon Tate), an event that ended tragically. Thankfully he was too hung over to attend, which saved his life. This scene was made even more haunting by the backdrop showing the actual breaking news footage. š
I was impressed how the play skillfully weaved together James’s personal and professional life, punctuated by his iconic music. How close he was to his mom was very heartwarming. The chemistry between Stokley and Eleni Hanson, who portrayed Lady T was FIYAH! There will never be another Teena Marie, but girl can SANG!
Throughout the play, there were many and sometimes surprising ‘cameo’ appearances. The roster included: Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Diana Ross, Ashford & Simpson, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, MC Hammer and the Purple One…Prince!
Despite its nearly three-hour runtime (including intermission), the production held me captivated from start to finish. Je’Caryous Johnson’s direction brought Rick James’s story to life in a way that was both enlightening and entertaining. Having seen other productions by Johnson, I can confidently say that “Super Freak” stands out as his best in my opinion.
Leaving the theater that night, I felt inspired to delve deeper into the life of Rick James. His journey serves as a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. “Super Freak: The Rick James Story” is more than just a stage play; it’s a celebration of an icon whose music influenced generations.
