Are you ready to swing? Paper Mill Playhouse's upcoming production of After Midnight—the musical revue that transports audiences to the Cotton Club of the Harlem Renaissance—begins performances January 31, and Playbill swung by rehearsals to capture a first look at the jazz-infused production.
Led by co-directors Dominique Kelley and Paper Mill Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Jen Bender, with choreography by Kelly, the musical will play the New Jersey theatre through February 25, with opening night set for February 4.
In the performance preview, Broadway alum James T. Lane crooned his way through "World On a String," Awa Sal Secka belted out "Women Be Wise," and the company came together to lindy hop their way through 'The Scrontch." Check out the video above.
In addition to Lane and Secka, the cast includes Angela Birchett (The Color Purple), Sasha Hutchings (Hamilton), Joshua Lamar (Legendary), Stanley Martin (Aladdin), Aramie Payton (MJ The Musical), Destinee Rea (Hercules), Liv Symone (Aladdin), Harris Matthew Turner (MJ The Musical), Jasmine Pearl Villaroel, and Anthony Wayne (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical). Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting.
After Midnight was conceived by Jack Viertel, mixing the poetry of Langston Hughes with songs from such big-band legends as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Harold Arlen, Dorothy Fields, and more. The revue was first presented in 2011 by New York City Center Encores! as Cotton Club Parade, coming to Broadway in 2013 under its current title. The Broadway bow was nominated for seven 2014 Tony Awards, winning Best Choreography for Warren Carlyle.
Paper Mill's production will feature music direction by Sean Mayes, scenic and lighting design by Adam Honoré, costume design by Azalea Fairley, sound design by Sadah Espii Proctor, and hair and wig design by Alfreda Howard. RL Campbell will serve as production stage manager.
Visit PaperMill.org.