In the Life: Songs of Gay Harlem

This fun and illuminating entertainment features James Benn giving voice to the jazz and blues songs from the Harlem Renaissance including works by Bessie Smith, Billy Strayhorn, and Duke Ellington as well as songs popularized by Alberta Hunter, Ethel Waters, and Ma Rainey — all of whom had, to different degrees, same-sex inclinations and involvements, though married during portions of their lives. This cabaret show includes songs from the Harlem underground including “Tain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do,” “Pretty Baby,” “Lush Life,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Nasty Man,” and “Am I Blue?”