Playwright/Director’s Notes

PLAYWRIGHT/DIRECTOR’S NOTES

BY KJ SANCHEZ

Three years ago, we premiered my play Cincinnati King right here in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday and then other times, given what we have all gone through (and are still going through), it feels like many lifetimes ago. Cincinnati King was about the founding of King Records, which featured the lives of Syd Nathan, founder of King Records, the seminal King studio drummer and local icon Philip Paul and Little Willie John, one of King Records brightest stars.

During lockdown I kept thinking about these people, and in particular, I kept thinking about Little Willie John. Richard Huntley (our Music Director and the drummer you will see tonight, who also happens to be my husband) and I kept listening to his music. There was many a rough day which was made better by listening to Little Willie John’s records. His joie de vivre, his take-no-prisoners energy and his indelible spirit gave me something to hold onto, something to cherish, something to lift my spirits.

Along with listening to a lot of great music I was also watching — I’m not ashamed to admit it — a lot of Netfl ix. I love “spin-off” TV shows and movies, which have become a regular practice, especially in the genre of super heroes. So, since Little Willie John was a kind of super-hero for me, I decided to write a spin-off play about his music and his life. Like most spin-offs, some of his story you will recognize, and some of it will be new. Some of the music might be familiar, and some of it has been added, just for Little Willie John. This was a great chance to dive deeper into his catalogue and to immerse ourselves with the music of his childhood as well.

I am so grateful to Steve Harper and the Nathan Family, and the great Mr. Philip Paul, for providing the groundwork from which Cincinnati King was built. This time around, I add one more name to that list of people I am forever indebted to: Reverend Dr. Mable John, Willie John’s older sister, who graciously granted me an interview and told me such beautiful stories of her beloved brother Willie.

I am honored and overwhelmed that I have the good fortune to share these stories and this exceptional music with you. It’s so good to be back. It’s so, so good to see you. Thank you for spending some time with us and Little Willie John.