Blues in the Night

Conceived by Sheldon Epps in 1980, the revue uses classic blues and torch songs to tell the stories of three women and one man. The narrative is set entirely in a rundown 1938 Chicago hotel, where the characters' emotional lives are revealed through music.

The score relies entirely on pre-existing, classic blues, jazz, and torch songs from the early-to-mid 20th century. It features iconic tracks by legendary artists like Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, and Johnny Mercer.

Yes, the revue made its Broadway debut in 1982 at the Ritz Theatre. The production earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical, cementing its status as a successful jazz-themed theatrical work.

The standard cast features exactly four characters: three women with distinct generational and emotional perspectives, and one male singer known only as "The Man." The intimate cast size allows the revue to focus heavily on vocal performance and emotional delivery.