By Guest Blogger Eloise Marie Valadez
The latest production to hit the stage at Northlight Theatre tells the story of the life of singer/songwriter Donny Hathaway.
“Twisted Melodies,” written by Kelvin Roston Jr., is directed by Ron OJ Parson and associate director Alexis J. Roston. The one-man show, which recounts one day in Hathaway’s life, is superbly acted by Roston, who has previously performed this acclaimed show in the Chicago area.
The production does an excellent job at presenting the life of Hathaway, who was tormented by emotional and mental illness, in a compassionate way on stage.
Hathaway’s struggles with paranoid schizophrenia interfered with his work as a musician and his ability to live everyday life but “Twisted Melodies” shows that his music was a place he could retreat into to find a little peace.
Roston’s acting abilities are strong as he displays the torment Hathaway goes through. Roston’s singing voice is excellent as well. Hathaway, who hailed from Chicago died in 1979 after jumping from his room at the Essex House Hotel in New York City.
The show not only features some of Hathaway’s compositions but also talks about his relationship/partnership with singer Roberta Flack.
“Twisted Melodies” ends Northlight’s 2024-2025 season.
FYI: “Twisted Melodies” runs through Aug. 10 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Visit northlight.org.
