Visionary Man

Reviewed by Lovell Estell III
Spirited Hands Productions at the Hudson Theatre
Through Aug. 31

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Photo by Ed Krieger

It’s been said that the Lord moves in mysterious ways, a time-honored insight that resonates eerily when considering the folk art of J.B. Murray, the subject of this exceptional musical (book by Mary Padgelek and Tom Coleman, with music and lyrics by Padgelek).

Murray was a poor, illiterate African-American farmer from Glascock County, Georgia. He lived in a shack without electricity or running water, yet he created over a 1,000 paintings of astonishing depth and beauty (many are exhibited around the world today), and wrote two books. How? Nobody knows. Murray’s explanation was that he was visited by the Holy Spirit who told him to paint “them ones in Hell, and to write a couple of books.” And so, he did. Murray was a simple, committed man of faith, and Jimmer Bolden’s fine performance projects these qualities with artful subtlety.

This remarkable story is narrated in part by Murray’s friend and confidante Dr. Williams (Will North). It tells of Murray’s “call” as he termed it, but also relates how it transformed those closest to him, principally Dr. Williams, his daughter Sara (Jacquelin Schofield), who believed in her father’s visions, and his bloviating, ambitious son Samuel (Yorke Fryer), who sees his father’s freakish behavior as a threat to his all-consuming political ambitions, and an embarrassment to the family (so much so that he has him committed to a psychiatric ward for observation). There’s much animated humor provided by a triad of church tattlers (Sequoia Houston, Courtney Turner, Stephanie Martin), and by a well-intentioned Pastor (Ernest Williams).

Accompanying music is an inspiring blend of contemporary and old fashioned, toe-tapping gospel, complemented by on-target singing of the cast. William Cleckler’s lighting is as understated and effective as his set design, an accordion-like arrangement of panels that subtly evoke a sense of expansiveness and inclusion. Helen Butler gets also it right with the costumes (especially those of the church ladies), and Tom Coleman III brings it all together with, smart, solid direction.

Spirited Hands Productions at the Hudson Mainstage Theater, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd.; Thur.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Aug 31. (323) 960-7787, plays411.com/visionary