On Episode #19 of “CAN YOU HEAR ME, LONG BEACH?” Karole Foreman has been a working actress for quite some time, emphasis on working. Just check her IMDB page, you’ll see not only the pure volume of roles in both TV and film but roles running the gamut of characters with actual names and backstories to ones identified only as “Woman.”
But, in her latest role, the character most definitely has a name: Billie Holiday. Foreman, who lives in Signal Hill, plays the icon in International City Theater’s production of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.” It’s a role that is no doubt daunting considering that Holiday is arguably (is there really an argument?) the most distinctive vocalist in American music history.
We spoke with her about the role and about her job.
Foreman was then joined on the podcast by “Lady Day” director Wren T. Brown and musical director Stephan Terry.
Finally, Satica is a R&B singer raised in Long Beach who recently released song and video “Ode to LBC.” Reporter James Chow, who wrote a profile of the artist for the Hi-lo, produced this short audio feature about her.
0:36 Karole Forrman takes on the persona of Billie Holiday
13:28 A normal day for a working actor.
19:29 Music director Stephan Terry and artistic director Wren T. Brown join the conversation
28:20 The difference between improvisation and impromptu
34:16 The way to a music director’s heart…
42:39 “A fantastic little thing” about Satica and her music (Produced by James Chow)