Are you ready to tap in? Jelly's Last Jam is back in NYC with a new staging via New York City Center Encores!, and a steady trickle of footage has been released, including the show's ebullient production number "The Whole World's Waitin' to Sing Your Song," featuring Alaman Diadhiou as Young Jelly.
The production began performances February 21 and will continue through March 3. In addition to Diaghiou, the production stars Nicholas Christopher as Jelly Roll Morton, John Clay III as Jack the Bear, Joaquina Kalukango as Anita, Tiffany Mann as Miss Mamie, Okieriete Onaodowan as Buddy Bolden, Billy Porter as Chimney Man, and Leslie Uggams as Gran Mimi. Original cast members Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, Stephanie Pope Lofgren, and Allison M. Williams are reprising their roles as the Hunnies.
Sweet Emotions: Why the Original Broadway Hunnies Returned to Jelly's Last Jam at Encores!
The ensemble features Raymond Baynard, Shawn Bowers, Amanda Castro, Joshua Dawson, John Edwards, Ari Groover, Morgan McGhee, Jodeci Milhouse, Ramone Nelson, Paul Niebanck, James Patterson, Antonia Raye, Salome Smith, Taylor Mackenzie Smith, Funmi Sofola, Jordan Simone Stephens, Renell Anthony Taylor, Nasia Thomas, Sir Brock Warren, and Chanse Williams.
Robert O'Hara is directing, leading a creative team that includes choreographer Edgar Godineaux, tap choreographer Dormeshia, music director Jason Michael Webb, scenic designer Clint Ramos, costume designer Dede Ayite, lighting designer Adam Honoré, sound designer Megumi Katayama, and hair and wig designer J. Jaren Janas. Daryl Water is serving as score consultant, and Karen Moore is production stage manager.
The revival is the second in Encores' 2024 season, with each of this year's titles playing an extended two-week run in celebration of the series' 30th anniversary. Once Upon a Mattress, starring Sutton Foster and Harriet Harris, kicked off the season in January, and Titanic will close out the season in June.
Visit NYCityCenter.org.
Nicholas Christopher and company of Jelly's Last Jam
Paul Niebanck, Nicholas Christopher, and James Patterson in Jelly's Last Jam
Leslie Uggams in Jelly's Last Jam
Okieriete Onaodowan in Jelly's Last Jam
Company of Jelly's Last Jam
John Clay III in Jelly's Last Jam
Company of Jelly's Last Jam
Tiffany Mann in Jelly's Last Jam
Company of Jelly's Last Jam
Nicholas Christopher in Jelly's Last Jam
Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, Nicholas Christopher, Stephanie Pope Lofgren, and Allison M. Williams in Jelly's Last Jam
Allison M. Williams, Stephanie Pope Lofgren, and Mamie Duncan-Gibbs in Jelly's Last Jam
