Langston Hughes' 'Simply Heavenly'

I thought I might lead off a new series of several off-Broadway original cast recordings with this production of Langston Hughes' Simply Heavenly, from 1957.

This story of Harlemite Jesse Semple ("Simple"), his love life and his friends, played off Broadway for two months, then moved to a Broadway theater for another two months. It later was adapted for television.

Hughes adapted the story from his own novels about Simple. He also contributed the lyrics, with David Martin providing the music.

Portrait of Langston Hughes
by Winold Reiss

Simply Heavenly was by all accounts a charming show. One review of the time said, "Its great merit is that Mr. Hughes contemplates the people he is writing about with a respect that never becomes patronizing or stuffy and always retains its sense of humor." The songs display several varieties of pop music of the time - blues, R&B and even calypso, and gave a integral part to folk-blues artist Brownie McGhee (who had already appeared in two other Broadway shows). Composer Martin was a veteran pianist, arranger and composer. Hughes himself had written several plays along with his poetry and novels, and did the lyrics for Street Scene, with music by Kurt Weill.

Claudia McNeil, Brownie McGhee, John Bouie

The songs here are enjoyable, but take flight only when deep-voiced Claudia McNeil is to the fore. A commanding presence, she was best known for her role in both the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun.

The role of Simple is taken by Melvin Stewart, a fine actor who often appeared on American television in later years. Stewart, however, was just adequate as a singer. This also could be said of his two female foils, Anna English as the "bad girl" and Marilyn Berry as the "good girl." Simple had to choose, and thus the plot.

This very well produced record is a fine tribute to both a notable show and an important writer. As far as I can tell, it has never been reissued.

Anna English, Melvin Stewart, Marilyn Berry