What People Say About Leslie
The Spirit of Harriet Tubman
A Breathtaking Performance She moves toward the stage, every step precise, deliberate Slowly she ascends the stairs On a partially lit stage, she seemingly stands alone. Her goal, to make us feel, see, hear, and understand The stories of our past The lingering sounds of chains The indignity of man’s inhuman conduct, unleashed on his brethren She goes from corner to corner lifting, dashing, leaping covering her stage Her body playing out the Scenes letting her genius flow Flooding our minds with magical images of scenery, people, places And mind boggling journeys, into a time long past She, The Actor, many people rolled into one. So well done The very young, the old, bringing them all to life Taking us to that pinnacle of time and emotions Moving our hearts to a place they have never been Ending as she began A breathtaking performance She, is a one woman show Thank you Leslie Lorraine McCurdy.
“ ‘The Spirit of Harriet Tubman’ ”, a one-woman play written and performed by Leslie (Lorraine) McCurdy, tells the story of the life of Harriet Tubman from her earliest experiences as a slave through her work on the Underground Railroad to her later years., it is a powerful must see performance.” - Michigan Arts and Humanities Touring Directory
“We’ve seen a lot of plays about Harriet Tubman across the country, and this is the one we like.” - Anita Peeks, Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute, Detroit, Michigan
“It was so good that it seemed like I was in the story and that you were the real Harriet Tubman!” - Student, Ottawa Ontario, Canada
“…what a wonderfully conceived and brilliant show you have in your talented hands…a deeply gifted actress…I was bowled over by the experience!” - Artistic Director, Smile Theatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Excerpt from Poetic Beauty, by Joanne Green. Used with permission.
“This should be on Broadway. I wish I knew how to get it there!” - William Stevenson, Comedian, Brooklyn, New York
"Oprah should know about this!” - Tour Guide, Baltimore Maryland
“I’ve seen a lot of Broadway shows and this is the best play I’ve ever seen!” - Student, Stratford Ontario, Canada
“A wrenching and ultimately inspiring narrative leavened by humour…riveting…the indisputable talents of Leslie ( Lorraine) McCurdy have seen to that!" - Janice Kennedy, The Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
“I witnessed a performance that was beyond belief, completely mesmerizing, and almost indescribable in terms of the emotions it brought out in me…Ms. McCurdy’s performance is one of the most amazing, compelling and thoughtful that I have ever had the good fortune of witnessing…something to be experienced by everyone…one will walk away changed forever!” - Elizabeth A. Fellows, Birmingham, Michigan
Things My Fore-Sisters Saw
Leslie McCurdy is a wonderful storyteller and singer. She intersperses songs between segments and sings in a rich, strong, beautiful voice. She has distilled each woman’s story into a segment that captures the essence of each woman’s spirit, resolve, character and life experience. It’s enough to engage us and to want more. By making us want more, she whets our appetite to do our own research about these women and others. That is the gift of a true storyteller.
"A mesmerizing performance of historical significance"
"Put more history into an hour than what I have in my whole book", Graham Reynolds, Viola Desmond Biographer.
"The most I've learned about my history ever"
"Elegant, artistic, intelligent, awe-inspiring"
"A must see theatrical production of exquisite talent"
"We are delighted to have presented this remarkable theatre production. Kudos to Leslie McCurdy on a great, inspiring performance!" Dennis Scott, Chair, Halton (Ontario) Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS)
Lady Ain't Singin' No Blues
"McCurdy has more than enough technical prowess to deliver Holiday’s hits. The transition from sober Holiday, in control of her emotions and her audience, to a drunk women who cannot forget her past, saves the shows from just being a couple of pretty songs. It also allows McCurdy the chance to really dig into the deep place of sadness that...gives us some of the music that, in my opinion, really set Holiday apart from her contemporaries." Eli Keel - Leoweekly.com, Louisville KY
"An amazing, creative depiction of the beautiful, enigmatic lady and her unabashedly open artisty"
"Spot-on--moving, intense, provocative and revelatory"
"Exceptionally moving"
"A show you will not want to miss"
The Darktown Strutters Ball
"Leslie McCurdy and Cassel Miles work beautifully together. Let us tell you here: these two brilliant singer/actors bring every note of the history they talk about to the stage, they sing in the voices of the Black musical heroes they honour. Cassel sings Paul Robeson, for example, with his Old Man River reaching successfully for those low dark notes. Further on, he gives us Unforgettable from Nat King Cole, keeping the lilt and the silky smooth voice just as your memories might serve. Leslie sings, "J'ai Deux Amour" as did Josephine Baker, singing in French, so clearly and charming. Later, though, she recites "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" from Gil Scott Heron. Leslie is a revelation herself, belting some and tender with other songs. She is pure dynamite."
"Choreographer, Candace Jennings recreated the dances of that time and used the performer’s dancing versatility to great purpose. David Nairn directed this with sensitivity, never getting in the way of the narrative. There was nice interplay with the band who also brought their own contributions to the evening. (Musical Director) Nicholas Mustapha was a delight on the piano."
"An important musical revue told with insight, sensitivity and joy."
"The commitment, scholarship, research and open-hearted generosity of the show was a revelation of the huge contribution Black artists made to the theatre, Broadway, comedy, music, songwriting and the civil rights movement."
"Audience members were, "Dazzled by the energy, the music and the entire experience."
"Be sure to see this wonderful couple of hours of theatre."