JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Previews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/11/23 at 12:00am

Jocelyn Bioh’s new play Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is about to receive its world premiere on Broadway. Previews begin at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre tomorrow (September 12), opening night is October 3, and it will play a brief engagement through October 29. The cast features Brittany Adebumola, Maechi Aharanwa, Rachel Christopher, Kalyne Coleman, Somi Kakoma, Lakisha May, Nana Mensah, Michael Oloyede, Dominique Thorne, and Zenzi Williams. Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is directed by Whitney White.

“This dazzling world premiere welcomes you into Jaja’s bustling hair shop in Harlem where every day, a lively and eclectic group of West African immigrant hair braiders are creating masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women. During one sweltering day, love will blossom, dreams will flourish, and secrets will be revealed. The uncertainty of their circumstances simmers below the surface of their lives and when it boils over, it forces this tight-knit community to confront what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home.”

Who’s going?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 10:09pm

Did anyone see this tonight?

Runtime is approximately 90 minutes, no intermission. 

[ILoveYourPuppies]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 11:45pm

I just got home from seeing it. 

 

It started 10-15 minutes late and apparently rush tickets were available for half the day today, but by the time we started, the theatre was packed.

 

I loved the set and costumes. So colorful, so much fun.

 

I really, really, really enjoyed the show! I didn't know what it was even about going in (aside from the actual title), but it was so much fun! Minor spoilers:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

 

 

 

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 9/15/23 at 8:27am

I loved this show so, so much. It is such a beautiful and charming and somber tribute to the working class immigrants who have built an entire community out of the Harlem hair braiding business. As someone else posted on another site, you walk out of the show feeling like you’ve spent a lifetime with all the characters in the salon — each is so unique in their strengths and flaws as people.

Without going into spoiler territory, it’s structured sort of as a “day at the salon”, ala you see clientele come in and out and mingle/work with various stylists and watch them engage and learn about one another throughout the day. In a similar sense, it doesn’t exactly end with a perfect bow on it/a completed narrative circle, but given the nature of the show and the story it’s telling I think it’s very effective for what it is — just don’t go in expecting a perfectly “all loose ends tied up” ending. Again, that is not the story it’s telling.

I was very touched and found it to be wildly funny and entertaining. You see all sorts of personalities come through the door and it gives room for some really funny conflict and banter.

The set is one of the best I’ve seen for a play of its size in recent years, and certainly of that at MTC. It is incredible it fit into the Friedman and again, without spoiling, almost might make it worth the trip alone. The set itself got its own applause at the top of the show. Equally so, the costumes and hair is all a treat and it’s really cool seeing the cast on stage actually braiding and working with so many hair pieces. I would be disappointed to see this not recognized for it’s design work come awards season.

Highly recommend checking this out while it’s here.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 9/15/23 at 10:21am

Any photos of the set? I'm not sure if they're trying to keep it under wraps or anything, especially this early, but internet searches - including instagram - came up empty. I likely won't get to see this show during the brief run and very curious about this set that warranted applause.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/15/23 at 10:35am

Same here, would love to see it! 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 9/15/23 at 11:12am

TheGingerBreadMan said: "Any photos of the set? I'm not sure if they're trying to keep it under wraps or anything, especially this early, but internet searches - including instagram - came up empty. I likely won't get to see this show during the brief run and very curious about this set that warranted applause."

Some photos from David Zinn's Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/CxIiRqbO3s6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 9/15/23 at 1:30pm

Thanks jk! Clearly my instagram skills aren't up to par. What I can see there looks gorgeous - hoping to get some wider shots of the full set at some point.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 10:13pm

Is this show down for a few days?   The Tuesday-Thursday shows are gone this week from telecharge ...  

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 9/19/23 at 5:31am

Hmmm. I know they have been advertising the Black Theater Night performance on Wednesday with the LaChanze & Tiraji talkback afterwards, but see nothing about it being down. Hopefully they’re not having a Covid issue or something. 

[Sauja]

Posted: 9/19/23 at 4:37pm

CoffeeBreak said: "Is this show down for a few days? The Tuesday-Thursday shows are gone this week from telecharge ... "


i was wondering the same thing. I have a ticket for tonight and haven’t heard it’s cancelled, but I went to check to see how well it’s sold out of curiosity and noticed Friday is the next date for sale right now.

[Voter]

Posted: 9/19/23 at 4:44pm

I have a ticket for tonight. It's just selling very well. The performance is gone if it is sold out.

[Theater3232]

Posted: 9/19/23 at 5:13pm

Grosses show last week 97% capacity, yet at $44.51 per ticket, and $165,345 gross.  It was the worst-performing show last week (in terms of average price per ticket and dollar gross).  Obviously demand is not there and this is will be a money loser for MTC.  I guess if they gave out comp tickets to most of the house, they could theoretically be "sold out".  I'd be curious, Also, Show-score is appallingly charging $20 for comp tickets for this show for performances this week- would the grosses reflect $20 or $0 for these tickets (I'd assume $0 if the word COMP is printed on the ticket)?

Updated On: 9/19/23 at 05:13 PM

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 9/19/23 at 5:45pm

“Obviously demand is not there and this is will be a money loser for MTC.”

Such a wild thing to say about a show that has only been in previews for a week. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 9/19/23 at 9:25pm

Voter said: "I have a ticket for tonight. It's just selling very well. The performance is gone if it is sold out."

I'm not sure whats going on, but it doesnt appear to be the normal pattern of ticket sales we are used to. I looked at Saturday's performance this afternoon, and there were plenty of tickets available in the mezzanine. I checked again (intending to buy a pair) and the entire mezzanine is totally sold out.... sure, Jan.

That said, if they are comping people and getting butts in the seats, more power to em. Nothing wrong with that!

[Kad]

Posted: 9/19/23 at 11:19pm

Theater3232 said: "Grosses show last week 97% capacity, yet at $44.51 per ticket, and $165,345 gross. It was the worst-performing show last week (in terms of average price per ticket and dollar gross). Obviously demand is not there and this is will be a money loser for MTC. I guess if they gave out comp tickets to most of the house, they could theoretically be "sold out". I'd be curious, Also, Show-score is appallingly charging $20 for comp tickets for this show for performances this week- would the grosses reflect $20 or $0 for these tickets (I'd assume $0 if the word COMP is printed on the ticket)?"

MTC is a nonprofit theater- most of its productions are money losers. 

[JoeW4]

Posted: 9/19/23 at 11:26pm

Theater3232 said: "Grosses show last week 97% capacity, yet at $44.51 per ticket, and $165,345 gross. It was the worst-performing show last week (in terms of average price per ticket and dollar gross). Obviously demand is not there and this is will be a money loser for MTC."

 

I think this comment is probably going to prove to be factually accurate, but I disagree with your pessimistic spin on it (unless I'm misreading the tone of your post?)

So far, these numbers track pretty closely with the other non-celebrity shows at the Friedman since the pandemic.

And in theory, this is precisely what we WANT to see with NFP theatre. If their donors (+celebrity casting in the spring) are providing enough money that they can afford to fill their house at little-to-no cost to the audience members for their non-celebrity shows, that's ideal. Obviously lots of NFP theatre are struggling right now, so it's hard to know, from the outside, to what extent MTC can afford to sustain these losses. But if they can, then I read these numbers as a great sign that they're fulfilling their purpose as a NFP on Broadway.

 

"would the grosses reflect $20 or $0 for these tickets (I'd assume $0 if the word COMP is printed on the ticket)?"

I believe not. Unless Show-Score worked out some sort of unconventional deal with the producers they work with, I believe the $20 is counted only as a service fee, going entirely to Show-Score.

 

 

 

[Voter]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 11:08am

Caught this last night. Wonderful job from a true powerhouse cast. It felt like watching the Avengers of incredible Black Actresses doing their thing and doing it incredibly. 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

You won't see any photos of the set, as the shop isn't revealed until about 10-15 minutes in. The reveal got huge applause. The shop really felt like a character. The wigs were INCREDIBLE. 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

My one big gripe-- is I wish it ended sooner. By the time you have Miriam soaking her fingers, you're craving this show to end on a note of pure black joy. I don't want to fully spoil the story, but I'll say, it doesn't. It ends on an uplifting note, but I didn't enjoy seeing the women suffering that last twenty or so minutes. Minor gripe.

About 100 minutes no intermission. There were tiny magnets for $10 and some other merch. 

[Showface]

Posted: 9/22/23 at 2:04pm

INCREDIBLE show! Everyone needs to go and see it. Brilliant all around: writing, direction, cast, design, HAIR-- all amazing!

It really felt like being in an African Hair Braiding Salon for a full day. 

As for the ending:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

The shift really did throw me for a loop, but I like that it did that. I understood why, and I like that there was still a sense of hope. It really brought the whole thing together in a very poignant way.

 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 9/22/23 at 4:51pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Jocelyn Bioh’s new playJaja’s African Hair Braidingis about to receive its world premiere on Broadway. Previews begin at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre tomorrow (September 12), opening night is October 3, and it will play a brief engagement through October 29. The cast features Brittany Adebumola, Maechi Aharanwa, Rachel Christopher, Kalyne Coleman, Somi Kakoma, Lakisha May, Nana Mensah, Michael Oloyede, Dominique Thorne, and Zenzi Williams.Jaja’s African Hair Braidingis directed by Whitney White.

“This dazzling world premiere welcomes you into Jaja’s bustling hair shop in Harlem where every day, a lively and eclectic group of West African immigrant hair braiders are creating masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women. During one sweltering day, love will blossom, dreams will flourish, and secrets will be revealed. The uncertainty of their circumstances simmers below the surface of their lives and when it boils over, it forces this tight-knit community to confront what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home.”

Who’s going?"

I will wait for the Lifetime television movie version starring Condola Rashad and Taraji P Henson. Just kidding - hoping to catch this next week. 

Updated On: 9/22/23 at 04:51 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/25/23 at 4:21pm

Dear Everyone,

See this show. It is extraordinary in all aspects that exist in the universe. Run!

[kwoc91]

Posted: 9/27/23 at 9:17am

I echo all the praise wholeheartedly and agree with Sutton - run, don't walk!

My personal Tony campaign for Zenzi Williams starts NOW. I'm also hoping it gets recognized for some really impressive design work (sets, costumes) - the set reveal at the top of the show got a round of applause from the audience last night as well. 

By the end of the show, I felt completely immersed in each character's life and story, and did not want to leave...truly impressive for a 90 minute play! 

The show appeared to be close to sold out last night. Hoping the word of mouth continues to spread, along with rave reviews, and that this show gets all the love it deserves.

[Ensemble1671017357]

Posted: 9/27/23 at 9:43am

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "“Obviously demand is not there and this is will be a money loser for MTC.”

Such a wild thing to say about a show that has only been in previews for a week."

Week 2 was essentially flat. House is being papered.

 

[Ensemble1671017357]

Posted: 9/27/23 at 9:46am

Kad said: "Theater3232 said: "Grosses show last week 97% capacity, yet at $44.51 per ticket, and $165,345 gross. It was the worst-performing show last week (in terms of average price per ticket and dollar gross). Obviously demand is not there and this is will be a money loser for MTC. I guess if they gave out comp tickets to most of the house, they could theoretically be "sold out". I'd be curious, Also, Show-score is appallingly charging $20 for comp tickets for this show for performances this week- would the grosses reflect $20 or $0 for these tickets (I'd assume $0 if the word COMP is printed on the ticket)?"

MTC is a nonprofit theater- most of its productions are money losers."

Even non-profits need shows that make money or at least break even. If "most of its productions are money losers" they're out of business. Fund raising in the best economic times is a challenge - and this is not the best economic time for NYC theatres.

 

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 9/27/23 at 8:55pm

I was able to catch this this afternoon and would like to echo the praise here. Between School Girls, Nollywood Dreams, and now Jaja's African Hair Braiding, Jocelyn Bioh is officially on my list of "playwrights whose work I'll buy tickets to as soon as it's announced."

This features tremendous work all around - writing, directing, acting, design. I'll gladly join kwoc91 in that Tony campaign for Zenzi Williams, who I thought was sensational. The entire play felt so lived in, and I could have easily spent many more hours with these characters.