Chris Robinson Brotherhood Plays Mr. Smalls; City Theatre Previewing ‘Pipeline’ (Wed., 10/31/18)

1) Chris Robinson is best known for the long-time, highly successful, collaborative effort with his brother Rich: The Black Crowes. The Robinson brothers sometimes had differing opinions on how to do things, and this led to production and touring breaks from the band. The Crowes have been in a dormant state now for a couple of years. Chris, formerly married to actress Kate Hudson, has been rolling along with what once was his side project—The Chris Robinson Brotherhood. The band’s style is of a blues/rock nature with Robinson’s rich vocals combining with great guitar, organ, keyboard, drum work, and a touch of southern jam rock. Don’t expect to hear many Black Crowes’ tunes in the sets; Robinson and band are playing songs from their latest albums, Any Way You Love, We Know How You Feel; If You Lived Here, You Would Be Home By Now; and 2017’s Barefoot in the Head, plus songs from past side projects and noted covers like Carl Perkins’s “Boppin’ the Blues.”

Chris Robinson in a prior website bio summed up the spirit of the Brotherhood: “We don’t make music that can sell iPads. Our music will not sell you a Prius. I like that. Writing songs has always led me to good things in my life. The songwriting saved me through the dark times, and the songwriting makes it that much sweeter when it’s good. Real success can only come in pursuit of an authentic sound. We’re all very committed to this music, beyond money and egos. That’s a unique place to be.” The group’s local visit promises to be a top concert and one that may be flying under the radar. 8 p.m. Mr. Smalls, 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale.  

2) City Theatre staged Dominique Morisseau’s Sunset Baby in 2015, and the company will now stage her play Pipeline. Race and education come to a head in Pipeline after a prestigious (and predominately white) private school suspends Omari following an incident involving him and a teacher. Will the dream that Omari’s mother had for him still come to fruition? Pipeline premiered in 2017 at New York City’s Lincoln Center Theatre. It won the 2018 Obie (Off-Broadway Theater) Award for Playwriting. Morisseau is from Detroit, which is the setting for her Detroit Projects, an award-winning three-play cycle. 7 p.m. Tonight and tomorrow night are pick-your-price-previews. Continues through November 18. 1300 Bingham St., South Side. (CM)

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