Lady Day At Emerson's Bar And Grill presented by Congo Square Theatre at eta Creative Arts Foundation

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Writer Lanie Robertson doesn't shy away from the messy details, including racism, addiction, and abuse. Difficult songs like "Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do" and "Strange Fruit" reveal the bravery and vulnerability of a woman fighting to keep her identity as others try to pry it away, revealing why her story continues to resonate."

NewCity Chicago - Recommended

"...Written by Lanie Robertson, the script itself is powerful and well-articulated by director Shanesia Davis. Most can identify Holiday's voice on a classic song but the depth of her story is rarely explored. Between songs, Robertson's script exposes Holiday's drug use, incarceration and a series of abusive partners, in addition to the many racial injustices she faced. From songs that she and other black artists were not allowed to sing, to a searing account of discrimination at a restaurant, the writing is deeply personal, humanizing a legend and giving an infuriating perspective on the treatment she endured."