JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Reviews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 12:00am

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 9:41pm

Positive reviews across the board

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 10:29pm

These are review that should result in people buying tickets for more than the paltry average ticket price during previews.  If it and Purlie don’t sell, given their reviews — and the fact that both shows are apparently hysterically funny — then I just don’t know.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 10:33pm

DTLI Consensus: Knot bad at all for Jocelyn Bioh's Broadway debut as a playwright.

9 positive (including the NYT), 1 mixed.

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/jajas-african-hair-braiding/

Updated On: 10/3/23 at 10:33 PM

[gibsons2]

Posted: 10/3/23 at 11:41pm

Jarethan said: "These are review that should result in people buying tickets for more than the paltry average ticket price during previews. If it and Purlie don’t sell, given their reviews — and the fact that both shows are apparently hysterically funny — then I just don’t know."

This show is not funny at all. Unlike Purlie that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Jaja drags for 70 minutes,  without any coherent plot, and then the last 20 minutes we are seeing some sort of a culmination, which again goes nowhere. MTC clearly outdone themselves in terms of stage sets, costumes,  wigs etc, but it's just not a good play. Very weak and painfully clichéd. 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/4/23 at 12:06am

That’s your opinion. I thought Jaja’s was hilarious with so many stellar Broadway debuts, including the playwright and director, both Black women.

Congrats on these great reviews!

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/4/23 at 12:14am

gibsons2 said: "Jarethan said: "These are review that should result in people buying tickets for more than the paltry average ticket price during previews. If it and Purlie don’t sell, given their reviews — and the fact that both shows are apparently hysterically funny — then I just don’t know."

This show is not funny at all. Unlike Purlie that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Jaja drags for 70 minutes, without any coherent plot, and then the last 20 minutes we are seeing some sort of a culmination, which again goes nowhere. MTC clearly outdone themselves in terms of stage sets, costumes, wigs etc, but it's just not a good play. Very weak and painfully clichéd."

 

You obviously don't agree with any of the critics, wh0 wrote quite a few rave reviews and commented in great detail on how funny it was.  Several commented on the sheer joy in the audience (that was also mentioned in Purlie reviews, a rarity in the reviews I have read over the years).

[gibsons2]

Posted: 10/4/23 at 12:40am

HeyMrMusic said: "That’s your opinion. I thoughtJaja’swas hilarious with so many stellar Broadway debuts, including the playwright and director, both Black women.

Congrats on these great reviews!"

It's certainly my opinion, and this board exists so people can share theirs. Yes, I'm aware that the playwright and the director are black women.  What does it have to do with the fact that this play is very weak? You can't even compare it with Purlie, these productions are on completely different levels. I had high hopes after MTC' s very uninspiring previous Broadway season,  but this wasn't good. 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/4/23 at 1:26am

We don’t see many Black women writers and directors on Broadway, so I thought it was noteworthy. It’s the Broadway debuts of these two in particular, who have been doing great work for a while.

I heard this was the first play written by a Black woman to have a world premiere on Broadway in almost 30 years.

None of this negates your opinion. I didn’t try to change your mind with what I said. I didn’t compare it to Purlie, which I haven’t seen yet. You can feel free to think what you think while so many others, including every critic, found lots of joy in this production. Congrats, all!

Updated On: 10/4/23 at 01:26 AM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/4/23 at 2:05am

I hate this whole “well that’s your opinion…” because yes this is a message board of course it is their opinion and your  essentially insinuating that their opinion is wrong because a bunch of other people liked a thing they didn’t like. It’s art. It’s their opinion. Move on. 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 10/4/23 at 8:59am

I caught it last week and had many laugh out loud moments.  I truly loved spending time with these ladies at the salon.  I also loved the acting.  I especially need to shout out to Rachel Christopher who made me laugh several times with just her facial expression.

Updated On: 10/4/23 at 08:59 AM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/4/23 at 10:39am

RippedMan said: "I hate this whole “well that’s your opinion…” because yes this is a message board of course it is their opinion and your essentially insinuating that their opinion is wrong because a bunch of other people liked a thing they didn’t like. It’s art. It’s their opinion. Move on."

Since someone stated their opinion as fact and didn’t give room for others’ opinion, I thought to offer mine. It’s really not that big a deal, I was just offering another perspective.

[gibsons2]

Posted: 10/4/23 at 11:15am

HeyMrMusic said: 
I heard this was the first play written by a Black woman to have a world premiere on Broadway in almost 30 years"

What about incredible work of Lorraine Hansberry, Alice Childress, Suzan-Lori Parks and of course Lynn Nottage? We've been enjoying several of these uber talented  black women's works in the past 3-4 years. After seeing masterpieces like Trouble In Mind, Topdog/Underdog and Sidney Brustein, along with dark, fun and amazing Clyde's, Jaja script fell really flat for me, unfortunately   

 

[Kad]

Posted: 10/4/23 at 11:57am

gibsons2 said: "HeyMrMusic said:
I heard this was the first play written by a Black woman to have a world premiere on Broadway in almost 30 years"

What about incredible work of Lorraine Hansberry, Alice Childress, Suzan-Lori Parks and of course Lynn Nottage? We've been enjoying several of these uber talented black women's works in the past 3-4 years. After seeing masterpieces like Trouble In Mind, Topdog/Underdog and Sidney Brustein, along with dark, fun and amazing Clyde's, Jaja script fell really flat for me, unfortunately

"

HeyMrMusic did specify world premiere - none of those productions of plays by those other esteemed writers were world premieres, but either transfers or revivals. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/4/23 at 9:51pm

I saw this tonight and I’m admittedly not the target demographic for this show (white/Hispanic, upper middle class, gay male).

I can honestly say I laughed A LOT and definitely felt a “Steel Magnolias”/“Cheers” vibe since it had a sitcom-like setup. But slice-of-life plays like this one need at least some sort of solid (key word) narrative thread to weave (no pun intended) through them. This did not really have that strong of a thread and resulted in a Hail Mary dramatic moment in the last 10 minutes that left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.

The proceeding 80 minutes, however, are quite funny in ways that are both culturally specific and universal. The cast is a very skilled group of comediennes who know their way around joke deliveries, gestures, and side eye. However, the show belongs primarily to Dominique Thorne and Zenzi Williams, the latter who is giving both blustery busybody and no-nonsense maternal energy in a fabulous package.

I think it’s worth seeing for the performances and if you like a non-traditional narrative, but I personally didn’t find this show one I would return to multiple times.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 10/4/23 at 10:14pm

I enjoyed it, as well, although I think School Girls is a better play. For me, Nana Mensah as Aminata gave the most real, lived-in performance. I did find the shift in tone at the end to be somewhat heavy-handed and unoriginal. I got that the play was supposed to take place in 2019, and I understood the message, but it felt old to me, simply because 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

the immigrant crisis and ICE deportations

have been depicted so much in film and television over the last several years. 

 

Updated On: 10/5/23 at 10:14 PM

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 10/12/23 at 8:45am

Saw this on a whim yesterday afternoon and what a delight! I think I had a stupid grin on my face throughout the entire show, well until the end that is, and then I started to tear up. 
 

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/24/23 at 9:34pm

Spotted at tonight’s performance: Ben Platt and Beanie Feldstein with their partners two rows in front of me, Amber Ruffin, and Stephen Schwartz.

This one left me a bit cold, but I didn’t necessarily hate it. It’s like I actually spent a full day with these women inside the salon and got a glimpse of their personal joys and heartaches, but the plot is just a bunch of loose threads - each woman’s background and story - that barely intersect (save for the end). Felt to me like a weird cross between Thoughts of a Colored Man, Steel Magnolias, and pretty much every popular 21st century American sitcom. 

I’ll join the praise for the impressive set design and Zenzi Williams (who gets most of Bioh’s juiciest zingers), but I ultimately thought Purlie Victorious - which I caught on opening night - was the far better show. 

Updated On: 10/24/23 at 09:34 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/30/23 at 2:42pm

The final week of performances will be live-streamed; $69 tix on sale now.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/JAJAs-AFRICAN-HAIR-BRAIDING-to-Live-Stream-Final-Week-of-Broadway-Run-20231030

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/30/23 at 2:48pm

“Live streaming theater begins to bridge the gap between traditional theater audiences and those who have not typically been part of the Broadway experience” said Jim Augustine, co-founder of LOLST. “This includes those who have never been to a Broadway show and those who have never even considered it, individuals in correctional facilities, classrooms, underserved communities, and every individual impacted by the challenges of in-person theater.”

How incredibly wonderful. 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 10/30/23 at 6:14pm

That's pretty steep for a live stream.  Who's paying for that?  Enjoyed this play especially Zenzi Williams who was fantastic.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/1/23 at 4:38pm

Went to the matinee today and overall had a good time. I have to agree about the ending though, as not really working for me. We’re given 75 or so minutes of some REALLY funny comedy and truly funny performances only for it to all of a sudden go “PSYCH! It’s now a drama! Blackout! Get home safe, guys!” 

Thinking back on it, I suppose I understand WHY it was written in, as the proceeding play didn’t really have a true narrative other than “These are women at work and these are their customers” with no real conflict other than “That was my client, you stole her”. So I can understand writing that and wondering how the hell to wrap it up, I just wish she had found another way. I’d still recommend the play though, again we laughed a lot and it was nice way to spend the afternoon. 

[Sammy232]

Posted: 11/1/23 at 6:56pm

Broadway Flash said: "That's pretty steep for a live stream. Who's paying for that? Enjoyed this play especially Zenzi Williams who was fantastic."

I really loved this play, I wish the livestream were a little more affordable so I could recommend to the "broadway curious" people in my life. For 20-25 they might be willing to take a chance on a play they've never heard of with actors they don't know, I don't think they'll spring for $69. I'd love for livestreaming to be used as a tool to get more people interested, not just for people that already love theater that just don't live in the area. 

[LaCageAuxFollesFan]

Posted: 11/1/23 at 8:57pm

Clyde’s was $59 & Btwn Riverside and Crazy was $68 at Second Stage.  I personally think $69 is spot on.  It’s a great deal for those not in New York or those who are not able to make it to the Friedman for whatever reason. And hey, invite 4 or 5 friends over, everyone pitches in $10 and then it’s even more special.  I even think I’ll probably stream it after having seen it weeks ago.  
 

Easily the play that unexpectedly moved me the most so far this fall.  Jocelyn Bioh gave New Yorkers something they did not even know they needed with Ja Ja’s.  I have  a feeling she’ll be sharing much more with NY audiences and now she gets to share it with everyone across the globe.  
 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/1/23 at 11:22pm

Loved it overall, though I agree with Jordan that the ending feels a little abrupt, a little convenient –– but that's how life is sometimes. It is a fairly lightweight play up to that point (that is not a diss), I'd gladly watch a weekly sitcom just to stew with those characters.

It made me think back to all the people complaining about how critics were supposedly dismissive of CHICKEN & BISCUITS because they didn't value Black Joy (when in reality it was dismissed because that play was ineptly written). THIS is a joyful 90 minutes, brimming with life.

The cast is uniformly strong but I felt Lakisha May was a REAL find, playing 3 different customer roles in quick succession. I think we'll be seeing a lot more of her.