More than all that jazz: 'Little Girl Blue' captures talent, intensity of Nina Simone

The spirit of Nina Simone comes alive at New World Stages, as Laiona Michelle creates a stunning portrait of the legendary singer and songwriter in "Little Girl Blue."

Directed by Devanand Janki, this two-hour show features 17 songs broken up into two concerts: The first act takes place in Westbury, New York, in April 1968, a few days after Martin Luther King Jr. was shot; Act II is eight years later, in July 1976, in Montreux, Switzerland. 

The off-Broadway production, which had its world premiere at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, is much more than a jukebox musical. We learn how Simone was a childhood prodigy, how she loved Johann Sebastian Bach, how she did not want to be boxed in as a jazz singer, how she experienced racism, how she was abused by her husband.  

Beautiful, intense and mesmerizing, Michelle (who also wrote the show) captures the fierce essence of Simone in attitude, passion, words, voice and song.

The show opens with "Feeling Good" (written for the musical "The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd"). Recorded by countless artists, Simone's 1965 version is the standard — and Michelle's performance sets the mood for what is to come.  

Highlights include familiar tunes such as "Ain't Got No — I Got Life," "Ooh Child" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."   

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Fans expecting to hear "Mississippi Goddam," one of Simone's most famous protest songs, will be disappointed. She mentions it, but it is not performed. "Angry Black Woman" takes its place in a powerful Act I closer. 

"Little Girl Blue," the title track from Simone's debut (also known as "Jazz As Played in an Exclusive Side Street Club") released in 1959, opens Act II. This Simone, living in Switzerland where she does not have to deal with racism, is a far different performer. 

There are moments when singing takes a back seat to rage and anger. It's another example of Michelle immersing herself in Simone's emotions and struggles. It's not always easy to watch. 

The three-piece band — Mark Fifer is the music director, conductor and keyboard player, with Saadi Zain on bass and Kenneth Salters on drums — is first rate. Outside the music, the trio are very much a part of the action. 

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Ari Fulton creates the costumes, and Earon Nealey handles hair and wig design. Lighting design is by Dawn Chiang. Note that Crystal Joy stars as Simone at certain performances.

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When she was just starting out, Simone gave piano lessons in Atlantic City. She got noticed when she played there in small gigs. Five years later she had her first album.  

Audiences will no doubt be thrilled by Michelle's dynamic, exhausting performance. But she deserves even more praise for reminding us that Simone was one-of-a-kind. 

Tickets for "Little Girl Blue," playing through May 22 at New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., are $49 to $79 and are available by calling Telecharge at 212-239-6200 or by visiting littlegirlblue.nyc.

Bill Canacci can be reached at bcanacci@gannettnj.com.