Last week, I got the chance to see the legendary Patti LaBelle in the critically acclaimed play After Midnight. Patti took over for Fantasia Barrino and will be lending her voice to the Tony-nominated play until June 29th at the Brook Atkinson Theater in NYC.
After Midnight is emceed by Dulé Hill, who you might know from USA Network’s Psych. Dulé effortlessly moves the play along as he smoothly transitions from dance acts to beautiful songs from Harlem’s heyday.
After Midnight takes the sexy, smoky glamour of the original Jazz Age and catapults it into a whole new era of heart-pounding, mind-blowing entertainment for modern Broadway audiences. Refracted through a contemporary lens, After Midnight celebrates Duke Ellington’s years at the Cotton Club using his original arrangements performed by a world-class big band of 17 musicians hand-picked by living jazz legend, Wynton Marsalis.
The timeless tunes set against a narrative of Langston Hughes’ poetry provides an authentic backdrop for an array of cutting-edge performances by 25 sensational vocalists and dancers, including special guest stars, whose interpretations shatter everything you think you know about music, nightlife and Broadway.
The crowd erupted when Patti took the stage. She charismatically talked to the crowd as she sang and moved along stage before some of Broadway’s best contemporary dancers brought Harlem back to life.
After Midnight is a great Broadway experience and accurate portrayal of Harlem at its finest. Catch Patti LaBelle from now until June 28th.
PHOTO CREDIT: Walter McBride/BroadwayWorld/Facebook
