Blues in
My Soul:
The Legend and Legacy of Lonnie Johnson
Original Artwork by Phillip Mcconnell
Blues in My Soul:
The Legend and Legacy of Lonnie Johnson
Streaming Now!
Oct 31-Nov 6, 2022
Mill Hill Playhouse
Written by David Robson
Directed by Ozzie Jones
It's 1959. Chris, a local DJ, gets word that legendary jazz and blues musician Lonnie Johnson is working a low-wage job at a Philly hotel, forgotten. Once found, Lonnie, an early guitar hero who influenced the likes of Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, T-Bone Walker, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, B.B. King, and Eric Clapton, is reluctant to return to an industry that exploited and segregated his work before casting him aside. As the two men meet, conflicts arise, forcing each to reconcile issues of authenticity, injustice, and legacy. Based on a true story, Blues in My Soul is a celebration of an unsung American legend and the music that inspired generations.
In order to protect the health and safety of our community, masks are required for audience members during all performances.
Photos by Jeff Stewart Photography
Bring this stunning production home Purchase your tickets for the virtual screening at PassageTheatre.org and view Blues in My Soul from Octoebr 31st through November 6th!
MEET THE CAST
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David Ross (Lonnie)
David Brandon Ross (he, him) holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music Boston, MA as well as a degree in mechanical design from SUNY Corning, NY. He studied theater with Charles Combs at Berklee and also trained at Dell'arte school of physical theater in Blue Lake California. Dave has been composing, performing and recording in the NYC avant garde music scene since 2002 releasing numerous albums as a leader and side man. He is the recipient of a Boston Music award and has played throughout Europe as well as Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center for the arts in Washington, DC and Vision Festival, NYC with artist Henry Grimes, William Hooker, JD Parran, Jason Hwang and many others. Dave is the author of two US patents and has designed and built many unique instruments including the patent pending Oudtar. As a musician in playback theater, he instantly fell in love with the sociologically impactive effect of combining improvised live music with improvisational theater. Dave has been musical directing chair of Big Apple Playback Theater NYC since 2018. He is also musical director of QPT NYC and PANGEA Playback Theater.
Music Websites:
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Jonathan Jacobs (Chris)
Jonathan Jacobs is an actor, musician, and proud New Jerseyite excited to be returning to the Garden State for their Passage Theatre debut. Jonathan holds an MFA in Classical Acting from the Shakespeare Theatre Company & George Washington University and a BFA in Acting from the UMBC Department of Theatre. As a member of the MFA Class of 2022, Jonathan appeared in the STC Academy’s Graduate Repertory productions of The Winter’s Tale and ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore, as well as understudying roles in the STC Mainstage productions of Our Town and The Merchant of Venice. Before pursuing their MFA, Jonathan was an active member of the Baltimore theatre community, performing in shows with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, ArtsCentric, Single Carrot Theatre, Annex Theater, Cohesion Theatre, Stillpointe Theatre, Mercury Theater, and the Baltimore Rock Opera Society. The DIY-minded, independent spirit of Baltimore’s theatre scene greatly influenced Jonathan’s affinity for new and experimental work. A handful of memorable roles from this time include: a triangle; a giant piece of broccoli with a medical degree; one of three Mark Twain’s; a fifth-dimensional space shrimp; and not one but TWO victims of decapitation (in a single play!) On a personal note, Jonathan is the son and grandson of several great disc jockeys and is very proud to draw on that legacy in service of the story of Lonnie Johnson. Follow on IG for more information and updates about Jonathan’s work: @jawnuthinn