Je'Caryous Johnson Presents "SUPER FREAK: THE RICK JAMES STORY" Tickets

Houston's premier of SUPER FREAK: THE RICK JAMES STORY, Thursday night, March 14, 2024, I learned a lot about Rick James as an artist, the music from all was amazing, especially the lady that portrayed Tina Marie, her vocals were mind-blowing. I loved both portrayals of Young Rick and mature Rick (Stokley), both played his character extremely well and their vocals were Superior. Everyone sang along! It was both funny and entertaining. My favorite funny part was when Lionel Richie came out! Hilarious! There were a few moments that lasted longer than needed, but overall, worth seeing and celebrating the Fabulous Life of Rick James, he gave us so much to remember him!!!

"Super Freak: The Rick James Story,"presented by Je'Caryous Johnson, is a theatrical odyssey that delves into the tumultuous life and legacy of one of Funk's most iconic figures, Rick James. This stage production captures the essence of James's vibrant yet volatile existence, showcasing his musical genius alongside the personal demons that shadowed his career. The narrative structure of the play masterfully intertwines James's rise to fame with his struggles, providing a balanced portrayal that neither glorifies nor vilifies but seeks to understand the man behind the persona. The audience is taken on a journey through James's early years in Buffalo, New York, his encounters with the music industry's highs and lows, and his battles with addiction and legal issues. What stands out in this production is the dynamic portrayal of Rick James by the lead actor, whose performance channels James's energy, charisma, and complexity with striking authenticity. The actor's ability to convey the depth of emotion, from the exuberance of James's performances to the despair of his darkest moments, is commendable. As expected, the music is a highlight of the show, with live renditions of Rick James's hits like "Super Freak,""Give It to Me Baby,"and "Mary Jane"that not only evoke nostalgia but also showcase the timeless appeal of his work. The band and backup singers bring an infectious energy that propels the show, creating an immersive experience that resonates with audiences. The production design, including costumes, sets, and lighting, meticulously recreates the era, transporting viewers to the heart of the funk movement. The attention to detail in emulating the style and atmosphere of the time adds an extra layer of authenticity to the narrative. While the play celebrates Rick James's musical legacy, it does not shy away from the darker aspects of his life. It addresses his issues with substance abuse, his turbulent relationships, and his legal troubles, providing a nuanced perspective that encourages the audience to reflect on the complexities of fame, creativity, and self-destruction. In conclusion, "Super Freak: The Rick James Story"is a powerful, engaging, and thought-provoking production that honors Rick James's life while offering insights into his journey's challenges and triumphs. Je'Caryous Johnson's presentation is a fitting tribute to a musical legend, capturing the spirit of Rick James's artistry and the human experience behind his public persona. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to his music, this play is a compelling exploration of one of funk's most enigmatic figures.

I really enjoyed the play. Very informative. They chimed in on his life I had never heard about. Especially the Sharon Tate part.

The stage play was outstanding. Very well written and executed. There were a lot of interesting and unknown facts revealed to me. It made me have to go home and look more into his life. It was definitely worth seeing even twice.

I enjoyed the show because I was able to learn some things about Rick James that I didn’t know. I do think that there could be some improvements regarding better accuracy with characters. The Nick Ashford character should have at least been a darker skinned person and the Prince character should at least be lighter skinned. Casting was great with Stokely, because he made Rick James come alive. I liked the idea of a little comedy being thrown in to lighten the moods, but the pieces of comedy information should be placed in a more suitable scene that the theatre goers would better relate to. For example, the scene where ‘Prince’ mentioned pancakes seemed to be out of context since many, many people know a different version of the story from Charlie Murthy’s point of view. Regarding the current cast, I would hope that first show jitters were the cause of their performance. Some could have put in a little more work with dancing like they meant it instead of just going through the motions. (That’s just what it seemed like) Lastly, some of the scenes with the four white cast singing some songs seemed to be a drag on the overall performance. I’m no theater specialist by any means. I am just providing my humble opinion as a means to possibly help you give a more enjoyable show to people like myself.

WE went opening night and it didn't disappoint! The seats were great and pricing was reasonable. The section we sat in was awesome because we were all cuttin up, TOGETHER!

Awesome show! Stokley was charismatic and enacted an excellent version of Rick James.

I saw the show on its opening night and it far exceeded my expectations. I only gave it 4 stars due to the audio issues that were quite noticeable throughout some portions of the show. The cast was amazing, but let me tell you that Stokley outdid himself!!! He did his 1, 2, and 3 on this show!!! I swear it was as if Rick James was actually in the building!!! I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn’t Rick James!! I also learned a few things that weren’t widely known about the early days of Rick James’ career. If you haven’t had the opportunity to go and see this show, do yourself a favor and get your ticket now! Thank me later 😉

Stokely did an Amazing and Excellent Job! Re-creating Rick James. The Cast and Crew were awesome. this is my third play that I have attendee at the Hobby Center. It brought back such memories. I totally enjoyed it. I’ll be back. I’m such a big fan of Mint Condition. I would not have missed it for the world even though only one of them was there.. I’m glad I was able to see Stokley .

The Rick James story was entertaining. The music was fabulous. Learned a lot I didn’t know about Ricky’s life. Stokely as Rick James was awesome!

There was no flaw , I loved every minute of this !! Stokley was awesome! As well as everyone else of course. Super Freak did not disappoint!

This was an AMAZING experience! The talent from beginning to end was truly unmatched. The casting was SPOT ON! Would definitely spin the block on this one if it comes through Houston again.

* Pros * - Stokley was amazing!! He never disappoints. Ever. The mother and Teena Marie characters sounded great as well. The enthusiasm and energy were appreciated. I learned some things about Rick James that I did not know before. * Cons * - Too long. I felt like I was watching a high school musical. Production could use some work on sound, mics and timings. It was difficult to hear some characters, someone in the back was coughing into their mic, lighting was delayed at times, and the phone would ring after the phone conversation was already in progress. Minor fixes but noticeable nonetheless.

A MUST SEE LOVED 🥰 IT!!! Excellent!! Phenomenal!!! Exceptional Production!!! Can’t wait until the next production

A very well done show! The entire cast was amazing but Stokely was the perfect choice for the adult Rick. The music was amazing and the energy was electric.

Can somebody get Stokely a TONY for his performance as Rick James?!?!?! That boy played the hell out of that man! The other actors were great as well! The young lady playing Tina Marie...her voice!! Wonderful play. This was a wonderful show and worth catching if you can.

My spouse drove into Houston and I took to the internet to plan out our day. We considered concerts, plays, basketball games, comedy shows, and this production. To be honest I wasn’t certain what this performing arts event was- when I purchased our tickets. However, I am so happy I did. The show is approximately 3 hours of live musical performances. They use a minimalistic; deconstructed set and it is similar to other shows on the road have used. More so, they don’t have a huge cast but the cast they do have is phenomenal. The talent- music, storytelling, stage presence, and choreography is done so well. I can’t rave about it enough. It’s a must see. Make it a night or day trip. Catch the show while it is in town. The hardest thing for theater production is the community has to support it for it to thrive. It’s costly to put on these shows and I want this show to be successful, and have it around for several years to come. So the story unfolding is such a surprise- it was written about Rick James from the first person narrative. Co-produced by Ty James (oldest child) and produced by a Houston's native Je’caryous Johnson the show was full … I mean packed with artists. You don’t even have to be a Super Freak fan to enjoy this. The highlighted Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Diana Ross, Tina Marie, Neal Young, MC Hammer… it’s just a great play/ musical. It was right on point and executed very nicely. Congrats to the cast for making this story come to life-