Smokey Joe’s Café Will Return to New York for Summer Off-Broadway Run | Playbill

Off-Broadway News Smokey Joe’s Café Will Return to New York for Summer Off-Broadway Run The production, which reunites the producers of the original Broadway staging, will first play Maine’s Ogunquit Playhouse.
Brenda Braxton, B.J. Crosby, DeLee Lively and Pattie Darcy Jones in the original production of Smokey Joe's Cafe Joan Marcus

Broadway’s longest-running musical revue Smokey Joe’s Café will return to the New York stage this summer. The revival, from the show’s original producers Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, and Tom Viertel, will play Off-Broadway’s Stage 42 beginning July 6. Opening night is set for July 22.

Tony nominee Joshua Bergasse will direct and choreograph the production, which will first play Maine’s Ogunquit Playhouse May 16–June 9.

The show, conceived by Viertel, celebrates the music of songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and features such tunes as "On Broadway," "Jailhouse Rock," "Hound Dog," and "Love Potion #9." It premiered on Broadway in 1995 and earned seven Tony nominations, including Best Musical. The production went on to play over 2,000 performances at the Virginia Theatre (now the August Wilson).

The creative team will feature set designer Beowulf Boritt, costume designer Alejo Vietti, lighting designer Jeff Croiter, and music director Sonny Paladino.

The producing quartet first revealed plans for a revival in 2015. A developmental reading took place the following year with a cast that included current Kinky Boots star Wayne Brady, Alysha Umphress, Emily Padgett, and Chester Gregory.

Casting for the Maine and New York bows will be announced at a later date.

 
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