When fans picture R&B and funk artist Rick James, they might think of his braids and trademark mustache, sparkly outfits, Dave Chappelle’s portrayal of him on “Chappelle’s Show” or the drug addiction that took a toll on his music career.
But playwright Je’Caryous Johnson and James’ daughter, Ty James, set out to show fans the man behind the music, comedy skits and sound bites in the stage musical, “Super Freak: The Rick James Story.” The play opened in Detroit this week and runs through Sunday at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets begin at $49.75 on Ticketmaster.
Stokley Williams, former lead singer of the R&B group Mint Condition, plays the late James, who died in 2004. The play will tour across the country through June, with stops in cities like Washington DC, New York and Dallas.
With the 20th anniversary of James’ death coming up in August, Ty said she felt it was her responsibility to build her father’s brand and continue his legacy.
“You’re gonna walk away with a perspective of Rick that you never had,” added Johnson. “We uncovered the man–his passions, his beliefs, his desires and will to win the fight, the struggles of what he had to overcome. In the end, you gotta put some respect on his name and I believe everyone does that when they walk out that door.”
Ty, who’s also the play’s executive producer, said she knew she wanted to tell her father’s story on the stage, but wanted to find the right person to tell it.
“When Je’Caryous reached out to me on doing the story, it was pretty much a no-brainer,” said Ty, adding the production was in the making for about two years.
Bustin’ out
The play chronicles James’ childhood in Buffalo, New York, during the 1950s and his move to Toronto in the 1960s to avoid serving in the Vietnam War. While there, he became part of the city’s music scene and formed the band Mynah Birds with fellow artist Neil Young.
“Super Freak: The Rick James Story” aims to show audiences the man behind the music, said writer and producer Je’Caryous Johnson. Photo credit: Carlos Willis
The production also acknowledges James’ Motown connections, such as when the Mynah Birds were signed to the record label. The group broke up in the late 60s when a band associate reported the singer to the military, but James eventually found success in the late 1970s when he was signed to Motown subsidiary Gordy Records.
Audiences heard a string of his greatest hits from the 70s and early 80s, such as “Mary Jane,” “Give It To Me Baby,” and of course, “Super Freak.”
Johnson said having Ty being a part of the production helped ensure James’ story was accurate.
“She’s instrumental in making sure that we get the essence, the character, the dynamicness of her father correct and she will let us know,” he said, laughing.
“It’s definitely that personal touch, you know,” Ty added. “Trying to condense a very deep life into two hours is really hard, but we have some great writers that have been able to pull that off.”
And the story is coupled with a dynamic performance by Williams, Johnson said. The singer has the vocal delivery, the ability to play multiple instruments and the charisma to play James. Williams even has James’ voice and mannerisms down, Ty said.
“That’s how detailed he is with diving into this role,” she said. “And it gets emotional for me because it’s like, ‘Oh my God, I’m really relieving this rollercoaster of a ride.’”
Standing on the top
As “Super Freak” makes its way across the country, Johnson said the reception has been phenomenal.
“Her (Ty’s) father was brilliant and we had to figure out how to show that brilliance and I think we achieved something spectacular that people just haven’t seen,” he said.
Ty said there were multiple sides of her dad than just the outrageous entertainer. He was a family man, who was sensitive and caring while also being a larger-than-life character who could control the room before opening his mouth.
“He was able to embody all these elements of himself and it turned out to be monumental,” she said. “He left his stamp on the world, not just in the states, but worldwide.”
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