NEW YORK—If a hot band, great singing, dancing, stunning costumes, and lighting are what you love about Broadway, then “After Midnight” is for you. I don’t usually write over the top reviews, but this show is definitely an exception, as witnessed by the universal raves.
When Wynton Marsalis puts a band together and is artistic director of a Broadway show, fireworks are expected and this show does not disappoint. In fact, it’s a stone cold smash.
Without a typical Broadway storyline, the show offers dazzling performances that take the audience back to a night at Harlem’s Cotton Club in 1930’s New York. The show features arrangements by Duke Ellington (and others) with a handpicked band of top jazz musicians, selected by Marsalis himself. The nonstop singing and dancing by a talented cast moves the show apace through 90 minutes with no intermission.
Jared Grimes and Dormesha Sumbry-Edwards bring amazing tap and flash to life; Jared wows the audience with Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” and Dormesha seems to lightly float across the stage as she makes rhythm with her feet.
Headlining this production are actor and dancer Dulé Hill of “Psych” fame and Fantasia Barrino (until Feb. 6, 2014, when rotating guest performers will take the stage).
Barrino shows a new depth to her character as she portrays a sassy songstress singing, “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” and the steamy Cab Calloway-Harry White number, “Zaz Zuh Zaz.”
One senses the hand of Wynton Marsalis as Barrino has morphed into a talented jazz singer from her “American Idol” persona.
The real treat about this production is there are no weak links among the multitude of talented singers and dancers, choreographed and directed by Warren Carlyle.
Adriane Lenox did a show-stopping “Go back Where You Stayed Last Night.” The pace does not let up for the entire performance of more than 25 songs that relive the exciting Cotton Club and the big band jazz era.
There cannot be enough said about the quality of the musicians, selected by Grammy- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Marsalis from his own Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and directed so well by Daryl Waters. The solo musical breaks are well thought out as each player adds a special dimension to the outstanding arrangements. Suffice it to say that the last encore is taken by the band and fittingly so.
Tony award winner Jack Viertel conceived this winning production. The gorgeous costumes are by Isabel and Ruben Toledo (Michele Obama first Inaugural Day dress), Peter Hylenski (sound), Tony award winners John Lee Beatty (set design), and Howell Binkley (lighting design).
This is an evening not to be missed!
After Midnight
Brooks Atkinson Theatre
256 West 47th Street
Tickets: 212-719-4099 or visit ticketmaster.com
Running Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Closes: March 30, 2014
Nanci Callahan is the managing director and founder of the West Side Cultural Center.
