Casting and a creative team have been revealed for the national tour of Jocelyn Bioh's Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, which will make stops in Washington, D.C.; California's Bay Area; and Chicago.
The Manhattan Theatre Club production begins performances at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. September 6, moving to Berkeley Repertory Theatre November 8, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater January 14, 2025. The tour is being produced in association with Madison Wells Live and LaChanze.
The cast will include Melanie Brezill (The Book of Mormon) as Michelle/Chrissy Laniece; Victoire Charles, who served as an understudy in the Broadway production, as Jaja; Yao Dogbe (Topdog/Underdog) as James/Franklin/Olu/Eric; Mia Kiri Ellis (The Mountaintop) as Jennifer; Tiffany Renee Johnson (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play) as Aminata; Bisserat Tseggai (For All the Women Who Thought They Were Mad) as Miriam; Colby N. Muhammad (Love All) as Vanessa/Sheila/Radia; Jordan Rice (Selma) as Marie; Awa Sal Secka (Ragtime) as Bea; and Aisha Sougou (Beehive, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) as Ndidi. Understudies will be announced at a later date. Casting is by Caparelliotis Casting's Kelly Gillespie and Erica Hart.
The work, which opened its world premiere on Broadway in October 2023, is set in a Harlem hair braiding salon where a hot summer day brings out some love, dreams, and secrets. Whitney White will return to direct the tour after staging the Broadway bow.
READ: How Jocelyn Bioh Is Balancing a Broadway Play, and a Newborn
The production features scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Jiyoun Chang, original music and sound design by Justin Ellington, video design by Stefania Bulbarella, and hair and wig design by Nikiya Mathis. The creative team also includes associate director Manna-Symone Middlebrooks, dialect and vocal coach Yetunde Felix-Ukwu, stage manager Mandisa Reed, and assistant stage manager Jamie Berry.
Nana Mensah, Dominique Thorne, and Somi Kakoma in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Nana Mensah, Michael Oloyede, Maechi Aharanwa, and Lakisha May in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Kalyne Coleman and Maechi Aharanwa in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Michael Oloyede and Nana Mensah in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Brittany Adebumola and Dominique Thorne in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Lakisha May and Nana Mensah in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Nana Mensah, Lakisha May, Maechi Aharanwa, and Kalyne Coleman in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Kalyne Coleman and Maechi Aharanwa in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Rachel Christopher and Zenzi Williams in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Brittany Adebumola and Dominique Thorne in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
