Ms. Lauryn Hill: “Vulnerable and Honest” at The United Palace Theater’s 90th Anniversary Concert

The singer and songwriter Ms.Lauryn Hill opened the United Palace Theater’s anniversary celebrations last night on February 22, which marked 90 years of history for this special theater. On a sold-out evening, the luxurious space in Washington Heights – Manhattan’s 4th largest theatre – welcomed more than three thousand people to the start of celebrations led by Ms. Lauryn Hill’s contemporary R&B.

Winner of several Grammys with the acclaimed album The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, the artist – who adopted a Ms. in front of her name – sang Happy Birthday To You with a gospel feel. It was a fitting way to mesh with the current purpose of the theater which today works not only as a home for performing arts but also as a spiritual center.

Built-in 1930 as one of five Loew’s “Wonder Theatres” across the boroughs, the lavish space designed by the architect Thomas W. Lamb, functioned as a movie theater and Vaudeville hall until 1969. The showing of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey ended 39 years of cinematographic exhibition. From then on, faith and music took over.

The stage setting for Ms.Lauryn Hill featured a thin screen that separated the singer from the audience. The screen lent a smoky effect as if Ms. Hil led the show between the clouds, in a divine dimension. The display also featured projections – stars, galaxies, and flowers that further placed the band in a lyrical and celestial space.

Ms.Lauryn Hill performed her most successful hits toward the end of the show. Songs like To Zion, and Doo-Wop (That Thing) right after that, received an enthusiastic reception from fans. At the end of the show, MLH came out from behind the screen to sing Killing Me Softly, Ready or Not, and wrap up with Fu-Gee-La – classics from when she was still part of the band The Fugees, before taking off in her solo career.

Before leaving the stage, MHL said that her United Palace anniversary show was not about grandeur, “It’s about being vulnerable and honest with my audience.” 
By Lorena Campos /Thenews2