JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING PLAYED ITS FINAL BROADWAY PERFORMANCE NOV 19, 2023

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding

by Jocelyn Bioh
directed by Whitney White

This dazzling world premiere welcomes you into Jaja’s bustling hair braiding 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 summer 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. This extraordinary new play is by the award winning Ghanaian-American playwright Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play) and will be directed by Obie winner Whitney White (Our Dear Dead Drug Lord).

For audience advisories for Jaja's African Hair Braiding, please click here.

Runtime is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. 

 

“CRITIC’S PICK!
A BUFFET OF DELIGHTS, FULL OF TREASURABLE MOMENTS.”

The New York Times

“SHINES A LIGHT NEVER BEFORE SEEN ON BROADWAY!”

The Amsterdam News

NOMINATED FOR FIVE TONY AWARDS | Winner – Best Costume Design (Dede Ayite)

BEST PLAY | BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY | BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY | BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A PLAY | BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY

NOMINATED FOR THREE DRAMA LEAGUE AWARDS

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY | OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY – WHITNEY WHITE | DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE – ZENZI WILLIAMS

NOMINATED FOR THREE DRAMA DESK AWARDS

OUTSTANDING PLAY | OUSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY | OUTSTANDING WIG AND HAIR

NOMINATED FOR TWO OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY | OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN – DEDE AYITE

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If you intend to see three or more MTC productions in the coming year, you can join MTC and add this show to your package now. MTC Subscribers save up to 40% off the cost of individual tickets, receive priority seating, early access to tickets, and no-risk flexibility to exchange tickets for a different performance date free of charge, for any reason.

You can also upgrade to MTC’s Patron Program to receive the best seats in the house and a multitude of other benefits, starting at $3,000.

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30 Under 35A night out in NYC can break the bank, but as a member of our 30 Under 35 program, you’ll get a full evening of entertainment for only $30! You can buy a pair of $30 tickets for you and a friend to every Manhattan Theatre Club show. Plus, you’ll be invited to exclusive post-show parties where you’ll enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres while mingling with other 30 Under 35 members. And the best part… it’s free and easy to join!

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Student tickets are available at the box office on the day of the show when the box office opens. Tickets are $30 (including all fees), payable by cash or credit card, and are available to students with an ID from a degree or diploma granting institution. Tickets are subject to availability and are limited to two per valid ID. Note that students aged 35 or under may prefer to purchase their tickets through the 30 Under 35 program instead – see above.

Rush Policy

TodayTix Rush

A limited number of $35 rush tickets for each performance are available the day of the show at TodayTix.com. Rush tickets are subject to availability and blackout.

Student Rush

Student rush tickets are available at the box office on the day of the show when the box office opens. Tickets are $30 (including all fees), payable by cash or credit card, and are available to students with an ID from a degree or diploma granting institution. Tickets are subject to availability and are limited to two per valid ID. Note that anyone aged 35 or under may prefer to purchase their tickets through the 30 Under 35 program instead.

Accessibility

Click here for a seating chart. The Friedman Theatre seats 650. Seating is on Orchestra, Premier Circle and Mezzanine levels—all seating accessible by elevator. For more information on accessibility, please click here. iCaptions for Jaja’s African Hair Braiding are now live. (D-Scriptive). On-demand audio description (D-scriptive) is now available.

“A character-rich play, bubbling with personality and an occasion worth toasting.

The Washington Post

“BRILLIANT!
A powerful tale about joy, dreams, community, and sisterhood.”

Entertainment Weekly

Cast

Brittany Adebumola

Miriam

Maechi Aharanwa

Ndidi

Rachel Christopher

Jennifer, u/s Chrissy/Michelle/LaNiece

Kalyne Coleman

Chrissy/Michelle/LaNiece

Somi Kakoma

Jaja

Lakisha May

Vanessa/Radia/Sheila

Nana Mensah

Aminata

Michael Oloyede

James/Sock Man/DVD Man/Jewelry Man

Dominique Thorne

Marie

Zenzi Williams

Bea

Brittany Adebumola

Brittany Adebumola

Miriam

Maechi Aharanwa

Maechi Aharanwa

Ndidi

Rachel Christopher

Rachel Christopher

Jennifer, u/s Chrissy/Michelle/LaNiece

Kalyne Coleman

Kalyne Coleman

Chrissy/Michelle/LaNiece

Somi Kakoma

Somi Kakoma

Jaja

Lakisha May

Lakisha May

Vanessa/Radia/Sheila

Nana Mensah

Nana Mensah

Aminata

Michael Oloyede

Michael Oloyede

James/Sock Man/DVD Man/Jewelry Man

Dominique Thorne

Dominique Thorne

Marie

Zenzi Williams

Zenzi Williams

Bea

Victoire Charles

u/s Bea, Jaja, Jennifer

Onye Eme-Akwari

u/s James/Sock Man/DVD Man/Jewelry Man

Abigail C. Onwunali

u/s Ndidi, Aminata, Vanessa/Radia/Sheila

Morgan Scott

u/s Miriam, Marie

Victoire Charles

Victoire Charles

u/s Bea, Jaja, Jennifer

Onye Eme-Akwari

Onye Eme-Akwari

u/s James/Sock Man/DVD Man/Jewelry Man

Abigail C. Onwunali

Abigail C. Onwunali

u/s Ndidi, Aminata, Vanessa/Radia/Sheila

Morgan Scott

Morgan Scott

u/s Miriam, Marie

Creative

Jocelyn Bioh

Playwright

Whitney White

Director

Madison Wells Live

Producing Partner

LaChanze

Producing Partner

Taraji P. Henson

Producing Partner

David Zinn

Scenic Design

Dede Ayite

Costume Design

Jiyoun Chang

Lighting Design

Justin Ellington

Original Music & Sound Design

Stefania Bulbarella

Video Design

Nikiya Mathis

Hair & Wig Design

Dawn-Elin Fraser

Dialect & Vocal Coach

Caparelliotis Casting,
Kelly Gillespie,
& Erica Hart

Casting

Melanie J. Lisby

Production Stage Manager

Monét Thibou

Stage Manager

Jocelyn Bioh

Playwright

Whitney White

Director

Madison Wells Live

Producing Partner

LaChanze

Producing Partner

Taraji P. Henson

Producing Partner

David Zinn

Scenic Design

Dede Ayite

Costume Design

Jiyoun Chang

Lighting Design

Justin Ellington

Original Music & Sound Design

Stefania Bulbarella

Video Design

Nikiya Mathis

Hair & Wig Design

Dawn-Elin Fraser

Dialect & Vocal Coach

Caparelliotis Casting,
Kelly Gillespie,
& Erica Hart

Casting

Melanie J. Lisby

Production Stage Manager

Monét Thibou

Stage Manager

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