JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Previews

Did anyone see this tonight?

Runtime is approximately 90 minutes, no intermission.

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.

Same here, would love to see it!

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.

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.

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

“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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.