"After Midnight" Thrills in a Journey Back in Time

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Parent Category: Film and the Arts

Category: Reviews

Published on Friday, 21 March 2014 04:34

Written by Derrel "Jazz" Johnson

Previews for After Midnight began Oct 18; Opened November 3, 2013 and is currently running at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47 street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). Conceived by Jack Viertel directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle starring Dulé Hill, Fantasia Barrino, Adriane Lenox, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Rosena M. Hill Jackson, Bryonha Marie Parham, Karine Plantadit, Virgil "Lil' O" Gadson and The Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars.

With a great cast of actors, singers, dancers, and musicians, After Midnight brings you back to places like the Savoy Ballroom and the Cotton Club not just through the singing, but through the dancing and period costumes as well.

Actor Dulé Hill -- best known from such TV series NBC's The West Wing and USA Network's Psych -- is the featured actor who pulls the entire show together. Singer Fantasia Barrino, from American Idol fame, is the premiere special guest star. And, thanks to costume designer Isabel Toledo and Warren Carlyle’s tremendous choreography, the show provides an incredible simulation of a bygone but great era.

Featuring classics from such greats as Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, the music comes with high expectations. But as delivered by The Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars under the leadership of artistic director Wynton Marsalis, the performances are absolutely flawless.

While the entire show is phenomenal, some of the highlights include versions of "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" -- performed by Carmen Ruby Floyd, Rosena M. Hill Jackson, and Bryonha Marie Parham -- and the extremely seductive "Creole Love Call," also performed by Floyd. Singer Adriane Lenox gives a spectacular performances of "Go Back Where You Stayed Last Night" and "Women Be Wise" -- written by Sippie Wallace. Her performance seemed so authentic and in character that one wondered whether she was performing or just being herself.

All the dance pieces are performed by a remarkable ensemble, but two dancersdeserved special note. Tony nominee Karine Plantadit (for her work in Come Fly Away) shines in "Black and Tan Fantasy" and numerous ensemble pieces including the show's opening. Virgil "Lil' O" Gadson -- who’s been seen on such reality shows as So You Think You Can Dance and America's Best Dance Crew -- brings elements of hip-hop to his movements which are awe-inspiring. His skills are highlighted in "East St. Louis Toodle-oo" (where he joins Plantadit), and in “Hottentot.”

Fantasia shows off her incredibly powerful voice in this production -- which explains why she won American Idol and has remained so active in today's popular music scene. She sings leads effortlessly on four songs in the musical including "Stormy Weather," taking audiences back in time with the rest of the cast.

An accomplished dancer himself who made his Broadway debut in The Tap Dance Kid, Hill demonstrates his triple-threat talents, showcasing his ability to sing, dance, and act, something he certainly hasn’t had the opportunity to present on television.

The musicians play one last tune after the cast takes its curtain call (which received a standing ovation at the performance reviewed here) and 90% of the crowd stuck around for it.

After Midnight stirs the desire to grab an outfit and jump on stage with the performers. This fast-paced show is so enjoyable that I immediately wanted more when it concluded. Put After Midnight at the top of your list of must-see musicals.

(Singers Babyface and Toni Braxton will be featured cast members from March 18 until March 30 and Vanessa Williams will return to Broadway in the show from April 1 through May 11)

After Midnight
Brooks Atkinson Theatre
(256 West 47 street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue)

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