A vivid, impressionistic portrait of legendary jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton, the original 1992 Broadway production of Jelly’s Last Jam secured national recognition for writer/director George C. Wolfe (Shuffle Along, Angels in America), as well as nine Tony nominations, three wins, and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book.
Now, Nicholas Christopher, Joaquina Kalukango, Billy Porter, and Leslie Uggams star. visionary director Robert O’Hara (A Raisin in the Sun) takes up the mantle of this wildly imaginative show that interrogates the self-declared “inventor of jazz” in a purgatorial afterlife, accusing him of denying and denigrating his cultural legacy. With showstopping numbers like “That’s How You Jazz” crafted by lyricist Susan Birkenhead (Working) and composer Luther Henderson from Morton’s own music, Jelly’s Last Jam captures the profound contradictions behind the artist’s explosive talent. Brilliantly utilizing two of this country’s most potent forms of storytelling — jazz and musical theatre — Jelly’s Last Jam weaves a complex fable of American history, legacy, and truth.
By: George C. Wolfe
Songs by: Jelly Roll Morton (music) and Susan Birkenhead (lyrics)
Director: Robert O'Hara
Choreography: Edgar Godineaux; tap choreography by Dormeshia
Cast list: Nicholas Christopher (as Jelly), John Clay III (as Jack the Bear), Joaquina Kalukango (as Anita), Tiffany Mann (as Miss Mamie), Billy Porter (as Chimney Man), Leslie Uggams (as Gran Mimi), Okieriete Onaodowan (as Buddy Bolden), Alaman Diadhiou (as Young Jelly), Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, Stephanie Pope Lofgren, Allison M. Williams (as the Hunnies)
Design: Clint Ramos
Costumes: Dede Ayite
Lighting: Adam Honoré
Sound: Megumi Katayama
Other info: Musical adaptation and additional music composed by Luther Henderson; music direction by Jason Michael Webb
Wheelchair access, assistive listening devices
Unfortunately, tickets for this event are no longer available.
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