HomeCastKyle Taylor Parker, Dionne D. Figgins, & More Begin Smokey Joe's Cafe...
Smokey Joe's Cafe Cast Photo: Joseph Moran
CastIn Rehearsals

Kyle Taylor Parker, Dionne D. Figgins, & More Begin Smokey Joe’s Cafe Rehearsals!

Andrew Shade
By Andrew Shade

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The Grammy award-winning & Tony-nominated musical revue Smokey Joe’s Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller is set for a revival and rehearsals to begin today. Well, you can’t rehearse without a cast and we’re thrilled to announce those vibrant young cast members who will take over Stage 42 (422 West 42nd Street) this summer.rnrnThe revival cast features Dwayne Cooper (Motown, Hairspray), Emma Degerstedt (Desperate Measures Off-Broadway), John Edwards (Jersey Boys), Dionne D. Figgins (Hot Feet, Memphis), Nicole Vanessa Ortiz (Spamilton Off-Broadway), Kyle Taylor Parker (Kinky Boots, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Jelani Remy (Disney’s The Lion King), Max Sangerman (Blue Man Group Off-Broadway), and Alysha Umphress (On The Town, American Idiot).rnrnThe 9 member ensemble will be led by director & choreographer Joshua Bergasse breathing new life into more than 30 classic songs including “Stand by Me,” “I’m a Woman,” “Hound Dog,” “Fools Fall In Love,” & “On Broadway.”rnrnPerformances begin on July 6. Rehearsals begin today and opening night is set for July 22.rnrnThe original production of Smokey Joe’s opened on March 2, 1995, and closed on Jan 16, 2000, becoming the longest-running revue to play on Broadway.rnrn rnrn

 rnrnTickets are now on sale; the box office will open on June 25. Prior to the New York production, the show will play at The Ogunquit Playhouse from May 16 – June 9.rnrnThe creative team features scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Alejo Vietti, lighting design by Jeff Croiter, sound design by Peter Fitzgerald, original vocal arrangements by Chapman Roberts, and orchestrations by Steve Margoshes and Sonny Paladino. Music Supervision and new arrangements are also by Mr. Paladino. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting.

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Andrew Shade
Andrew Shade
Drew Shade is a visionary creative force at the intersection of Black theatre, media, and culture. As the Founder and Creative Director of Broadway Black, Off-Book: The Podcast, and The Antonyo Awards, he champions artistic excellence and amplifies the voices of Black theatre artists with intention, heart, and unapologetic pride. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Playbill, Deadline, The Observer, and Apple TV’s Dear…, and he's collaborated with brands and institutions such as NBC, BET, Audible, Universal Pictures, SheaMoisture, The Public Theater, Signature Theatre, National Black Theatre, and more. He has also served as a cultural consultant and curator for countless Broadway productions for over a decade — establishing himself as a trusted voice and tastemaker in theatre and media. In addition to his work behind the scenes, Shade is a performer and creative artist in his own right, with credits including Classical Theatre of Harlem’s The First Noel at The Apollo, The Preacher’s Wife musical at The Alliance Theatre, and a Sondheim tribute concert at Carnegie Hall led by Tituss Burgess. He’s also lent his voice to campaigns for Google and continues to explore visual storytelling through photography — from red carpets to press coverage. Rooted in joy, justice, and the belief that Black theatre is both legacy and revolution, Shade continues to build platforms and shine light where it’s long been overdue — so Black artists are seen, heard, and celebrated on their own terms. “Have a belief in yourself that is bigger than anyone’s disbelief.” – August Wilson

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