J.L. Williams, the cast member of the upcoming Broadway musical Shuffle Along who went missing for four days before winding up in a New York hospital over Valentine's Day weekend, is no longer associated with that show, but is planning to tell his story in his own New York song-and-dance showcase this May.
Tap Soul Productions will host The JL Show, an original tap dance and soul music concert, May 17-22 at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street in Manhattan. Williams is creator and songwriter and star of the show. According to production notes, “The show features original music, singing and, of course, lots of tapping to tell a tale about resilience, redemption and perseverance with big hearts and big sounds.”
Producers issued a statement saying, “He has recovered swiftly, is doing well since being out of the hospital over a month ago, has taken a retreat to Playa del Carmen, Mexico and is looking forward to returning to the stage in the spring.”
Arrangements for the show are by Ian Jesse. Music director Coyote Anderson is featured on guitar with David Cornejo on drums, Carl Limbacher on bass, Dorian Wallace on keyboard with background vocals by LaDonna Burns and Gia McGlone.
Tickets, priced $20-$27, can be purchased at Tapsoul.eventbrite.com or on the show's official website, Tapsoulpro.com/events.
Williams had failed to show up at the Music Box Theatre February 10, but cast members confirmed that the actor was located and was recovering in the hospital as of February 14. Williams posted the following message on his official Facebook page February 17: