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June 23 - July 24, 2022

Pearl's Rollin' with the Blues: A Night with Felicia P. Fields

World Premiere

  • Created by Felicia P. Fields and Ron OJ Parson
  • Directed by Ron OJ Parson

Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission

Songs from the soul. Rhythm from the heart. Come feel the Blues like never before.

This world premiere musical revue—created by Felicia P. Fields and Ron OJ Parson from WT’s Ma Rainey's Black Bottom—honors and celebrates the great Blues artists of the past, including Bessie Smith, Big Mama Thornton, Howlin’ Wolf and more! Grab your drink, take your seat and enjoy the riffs, rhythms and rapport of a seasoned band of musicians as they do what they do best: swap stories, belt the Blues and put on one helluva show.

Synopsis

Pearl's Rollin' with the Blues

Singing the Blues is what Pearl was born to do, and she can’t wait to be back in front of a crowd with her band. For Pearl, it’s about the music—where it’s been, where it is and where it wants to be. She’s made it her mission in life to take the stage and share how the Blues paved the way for generations of musicians to come.

Performers

Felicia P. Fields

Chic Street Man

Guitar

Ricardo Jimenez

Horn

Frank Menzies

Keyboard

Harold Morrison

Drums

Julie Poncé

Bass

Creative

Ron OJ Parson

Director

Rueben Echoles

Costume Designer

Jared Gooding

Lighting Designer

David Castellanos

Stage Manager

Jack Magaw

Scenic Designer

JACK MAGAW returns to Writers Theatre having previously designed scenery for Rollin’ With the Blues, Buried Child and East Texas Hot Links among many others. Recent Chicago and regional credits include Big White Fog (Court Theatre), The Angel Next Door (Northlight Theatre), Anastasia (Bucks County Playhouse and Cape Playhouse), Fiddler on the Roof (Drury Lane Theatre), the US premiere of London Road (Shattered Globe Theatre), the world premiere of Relentless (TimeLine Theatre and Goodman Theatre), Nina Simone: Four Women (South Coast Rep), Misery (Peninsula Players), Waitress (Cape Playhouse), and Porgy and Bess (Musical Theatre Heritage). Jack is an Adjunct Professor of Design at The Theatre School at DePaul University and he resides in Chicago. jackmagaw.com 

Eric Backus

Sound Designer

At Writers Theatre: Dhaba on Devon Avenue, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 and Pearl's Rollin' with the Blues

Eric is a Jeff-Award winning composer and sound designer, returning to Writers after previously designing Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and Pearl’s Rollin’ with the Blues. Off-Broadway: Hollow/Wave (United Solo Festival), Churchill (New World Stages); Regional credits include productions at Milwaukee Rep, South Coast Rep, Northern Stage, TheatreSquared, and The Rev. Chicago credits include productions at Goodman, Chicago Shakes, Steppenwolf, Paramount, Northlight, and many others. In addition to theatre, Eric composes and sound designs for film, video, and podcasts. He is a proud member of USA829. www.ericbackus.com.

[Bio as of June 2025]

Kate Nagorski

Assistant Stage Manager

KATE NAGORSKI is thrilled to return to Writers Theatre! ASM credits include Every Brilliant Thing, Eurydice, Pearl’s Rollin’ with the Blues (Writers Theatre); Carmela Full of Wishes (Chicago Children’s Theatre); Sundown Yellow Moon (Raven Theatre). Other Chicago backstage credits include Stokely: The Unfinished Revolution, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, Antigone, The Gospel at Colonus, Fen (Court Theatre); Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley (Northlight Theatre); The Hot Wing King, A Distinct Society, Tiger Style!, Wife of a Salesman (Writers Theatre); and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Beehive: The 60’s Musical, Kiss Me Kate (Marriott Theatre).

[Bio as of January 2025]

Harper Caruso

Music Copyist

At Writers Theatre: The Band's Visit and Once

Harper Caruso is a multi-instrumentalist, actor, and musical director based in Chicago. Writers Theatre credits: Once (Eamon/Emcee u/s), 2022/2023 Annual Gala (Musical Director). She also music directed the very first all transgender production of Tick, Tick... Boom! with Boho Theatre. Coming up, you can see her this spring as musical director for 9 To 5: The Musical at Metropolis Arts. Harper would like to thank her amazingly supportive family and siblings, Jenny the wonder dog, and Nidhi. Trans lives matter.

[Bio as of February 2024]


Events

Baby’s Got the Blues Youth Matinee Workshop

SATURDAY, JULY 16TH AT 3PM

Everyone’s invited to Writers Theatre on Saturday, July 16th! While grownups jam at the 3pm matinee of Pearl’s Rollin’ With the Blues: A Night with Felicia P. Fields, young people can play theatre games and make music with WT Education’s professional teaching artists. Workshop activities are designed to be active, fun, flexible, and adaptable to multiple ages and abilities. All are welcome.

Young people from ages 5-12 are welcome. We ask that they are able to use the bathroom by themselves. The workshop will take place in the theatre building. Please plan to drop off your participant between 2:40pm and 2:50pm and pick them up no later than 10 minutes after curtain. Masks must be worn during the workshop. Spaces are limited and registration is required so sign up early!

Alexandra C. & John D. Nichols Theatre

325 Tudor Court Glencoe, Illinois, 60022

Accessibility

Fully ADA accessible with wheelchair seating available

Parking

Free parking is available in the Metra Station lot, and street parking is readily available.

Seating Map

Scope out your seat before the show

See More

2021/22 Season

Production History