Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominated actor Gloria Reuben will salute three generations of female pop singers, from Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan to k.d. lang and Alanis Morissette, in her show Ladies’ Night: Great Ladies of Song, 9:30 PM March 11 at Feinstein’s/54 Below in Manhattan.
Reuben, whose Off-Broadway appearances include Stuff Happens at the Public Theatre, will perform a playlist that includes “Constant Craving” originated by k.d. lang, Billie Holiday’s “Willow Weep,” Sarah Vaughan’s “How High the Moon,” and Oleta Adams’ “Get Here.” Click here for tickets and more information.
Reuben told Playbill that she connected with the songs through a wide variety of sources. “I've discovered the singers and songs through radio, concerts, friends, fellow musicians. Any way that I can expand my ear to music, I try to take it. I would have to say that my connection is with both the singer and the song. However, like with any written word (whether in song or in television, film or theatre) I like to make it my own. For instance, I’ll be singing Alanis Morissette’s ‘That Would Be Good.’ It’s a powerful and intimate song about self-worth, value, and belonging. Things that we can all relate to. Her songwriting is incredible, as is her voice. I'll be playing it at the piano, so that’s always a wonderful way to truly connect to a song—accompanying myself while singing.
“I’ll also be singing a rendition of ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing’ similar to Sarah Vaughan’s: a high tempo swing arrangement. [It’s] all about fun and the celebration of music!”
Her most recent jazz album, Perchance to Dream, was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Marty Ashby.
Reuben was seen this past season on USA Network’s Mr. Robot and will next star in the new Marvel show, Cloak and Dagger. Her résumé includes the TV series ER, Raising the Bar, and Falling Skies. She appeared in Steven Spielberg’s film Lincoln as activist and former slave Elizabeth Keckley, alongside Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field.
She said the singing, TV, and film projects don’t mean that she’s turned her back on the world of theatre. “I’m always in the hunt for another wonderful theatre project. I’ve been living in New York City for over 15 years, so theatre is very much a part of my life. And I look forward to it being a larger part of my professional life.”
