Alive! 55+ and Kicking! Musical Review at Harlem’s Oberia Dempsey

We were invited to come out and watch the final dress rehearsal of Vy Higginsen’s new musical Alive! 55+ and kicking! After the publicist told me about the general theme of the show, my interest was sparked and I headed uptown with my wife and my son. To get to the show, you need to catch the 2/3 train straight on up to Harlem! Harlem, NYC! Home of the Apollo Theater, an area rich in musical history dating back to the early 1900s. Read up on the Harlem Renaissance for details on all of that! We are here to talk about the show!

Alive is being held at the Oberia Dempsey Center, located at 127 West 127th Street, New York, NY 10027 (between Malcolm X Blvd and 7th Ave). The venue used to be a school, and the performance area is still much like a public school auditorium. That was an interesting dynamic, but once it is showtime, you could just as easily be sitting in a Broadway theater. Even better yet, because of this configuration, everyone can actually see the stage, unlike some Broadway shows where a big pipe or corner might block the view.

After a brief speech from the staff explaining that this was a dress rehearsal and that at any point they could reset or pause, the show began. It opens with several gospel numbers. A large group of performers come on stage and begin to sing. The energy was very high, and the audience seemed to really enjoy the numbers. Many were out of their seats, many hands were raised, and the experience was very reminiscent of a visit to church on a Sunday morning.

After several gospel-style songs, the show shifts into the storytelling part. Each individual takes a turn sharing a short, true story about their life. Each performer shares their story in their own way, with some musical accompaniment. Then they perform a song based on their particular story. This was the part I enjoyed most because many of the songs were ones I knew and loved. One woman’s rendition of “I Will Always Love You” moved everyone to tears and earned a standing ovation!

The performers ranged in age from 54 to 74 years old. With around 18 of them, there was plenty of experience and knowledge to be shared. The group included both Grammy-winning artists and newer performers. It was inspiring to see such a diverse group of talent and to listen to their stories. Some were humorous and lighthearted, others deeply emotional and moving. One thing was clear they can all sing and they all inspire!

For more information and to buy tickets to Alive, check out the Mama Foundation website