The reviews are rolling in for Jocelyn Bioh's Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, which opened on Broadway October 3. The production began previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre September 12 as part of Manhattan Theatre Club's season.
Whitney White directs the play's world premiere. The cast features Brittany Adebumola, Maechi Aharanwa, Rachel Christopher, Kalyne Coleman, Somi Kakoma, Lakisha May, Nana Mensah, Michael Oloyede, Dominique Thorne, and Zenzi Williams. Rounding out the company are understudies Victoire Charles, Abigail C. Onwunali, Onye Eme-Akwari, Morgan Scott, and Rachel Christopher. Casting is by Caparelliotis Casting's Kelly Gillespie and Erica Hart.
Read the reviews here:
CititourNY (Brian Scott Lipton)
Entertainment Weekly (Emlyn Travis)
New York Daily News (Chris Jones)*
New York Magazine/Vulture (Sara Holdren)*
New York Stage Review (David Finkle, Melissa Rose Bernardo)
New York Theatre Guide (Gillian Russo)
The New York Times (Jesse Green)*
The Washington Post (Peter Marks)*
*This review requires creating a free account or a paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
Jaja's African Hair Braiding is set in a Harlem hair braiding salon where a hot summer day brings out some love, dreams, and secrets. The production features scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Jiyoun Chang, original music and sound design by Justin Ellington, video design by Stefania Bulbarella, and hair and wig design by Nikiya Mathis. Dawn-Elin Fraser is dialect and voice coach, and Melanie J. Lisby is production stage manager.
READ: How Jocelyn Bioh Is Balancing a Broadway Play, and a Newborn
The producing team includes LaChanze, Taraji P. Henson in her Broadway producing debut, and Madison Wells Live. Jaja's African Hair Braiding is currently scheduled to continue through November 5.
Nana Mensah, Dominique Thorne, and Somi Kakoma in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Nana Mensah, Michael Oloyede, Maechi Aharanwa, and Lakisha May in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Kalyne Coleman and Maechi Aharanwa in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Michael Oloyede and Nana Mensah in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Brittany Adebumola and Dominique Thorne in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Lakisha May and Nana Mensah in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Nana Mensah, Lakisha May, Maechi Aharanwa, and Kalyne Coleman in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Kalyne Coleman and Maechi Aharanwa in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Rachel Christopher and Zenzi Williams in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Brittany Adebumola and Dominique Thorne in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
