Melanie Brezill

Review: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at Mark Taper Forum
by Evan Henerson - Oct 13, 2025

JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, completing a mini tour of regional theaters at the Mark Taper Forum following an acclaimed New York run in the fall of 2023, is a tender and humorous snapshot of a community and also a plea for community.

JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Comes to the Mark Taper Forum
by Stephi Wild - Sep 11, 2025

Center Theater Group has announced the Tony-winning Jaja's African Hair Braiding by Joceyln Bioh and directed by Whitney White. Learn more about the production here!

Video: First Look at JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at La Jolla Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - May 29, 2025

La Jolla Playhouse has released a clip from its production of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, by Jocelyn Bioh, directed by Whitney White, running in the Mandell Weiss Theatre through June 15. Watch the video!

Cast and Creative Team Set for JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at La Jolla Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 2, 2025

La Jolla Playhouse has revealed the cast and creative team for its production of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, by Jocelyn Bioh. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: Meet the Cast of GO DOG GO! - VE PERRO ¡VE! At Chicago Children's Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 1, 2025

Chicago Children’s Theatre will present the world premiere bilingual musical, Go Dog Go! • Ve Perro ¡Ve!. Check out first look photos of the cast in costume.

Photos: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Opens at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Stephi Wild - Jan 23, 2025

Chicago Shakespeare hosted its opening night for Jaja’s African Hair Braiding Friday. In attendance were LaChanze, a producer on the show, and Producer Gigi Pritzker of Madison Wells Live and Chicago’s First Lady Stacie Johnson. Check out photos!

Review: JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Rachel Weinberg - Jan 21, 2025

With JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, Jocelyn Bioh pulls off a challenging theatrical feat: She makes a slice-of-life play consistently engaging and entertaining. Set in Harlem at a hair salon of the same name, JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING follows a group of West African immigrant women working there — along with some of their customers. Bioh has populated her play with a cast of big personalities and peppers in just enough of the stylists’ backstories to allow us to learn more about them.

JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING to Have Midwest Premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 20, 2024

Straight from a twice-extended Broadway run, Chicago Shakespeare Theater will present the Midwest premiere of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Photos: JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING At Berkeley Repertory Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 12, 2024

Check out brand-new production photos from Jocelyn Bioh's Tony Award-winning new comedy, JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, performing at Berkeley Rep’s Peet’s Theatre now through December 15, 2024.

Berkeley Rep to Present the West Coast Premiere of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 25, 2024

Direct from a twice-extended run on Broadway, Berkeley Rep will present the West Coast premiere of Jocelyn Bioh’s Tony Award-winning new comedy, JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING. Amidst the lively buzz of a scorching summer, love ignites, dreams soar, and secrets unravel. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Photos: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING At Arena Stage
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 18, 2024

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is presenting the Manhattan Theatre Club production of Jocelyn Bioh's, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. See photos from the production!

Review: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at Arena Stage
by Jake Bridges - Sep 15, 2024

What did our critic think of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at Arena Stage?

Photos: Rehearsals for JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at Arena Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 12, 2024

See photos of Jaja's African Hair Braiding at Arena Stage. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Cast and Creative Team Set for JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at Arena Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 1, 2024

Arena Stage has revealed the cast and creative team for Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.

Photos: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Opens At Marriott Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 10, 2023

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway mega-hit, which has thrilled audience+s with the inspiring true story of one woman’s remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, closes out Marriott Theatre’s 2023 Season. Go inside the opening night festivities!

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL is Coming to Marriott Theatre This November
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 6, 2023

Discover the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway sensation, 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical', as it arrives at Marriott Theatre this November. Get all the details about the preview and opening dates, and make sure not to miss this moving biographical musical.

Review: BUDDY THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire IL
by Tina St. Angelo Wetzel - Jul 6, 2023

What did our critic think of BUDDY THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire IL? The current production at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire is Buddy the Buddy Holly Story. It was the first of the jukebox musicals premiering in 1989.  It’s not just the story of the short-lived life of Buddy Holly but it also tells the story of rock ‘n roll in its infancy and the pioneers who created the sound.

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at the Marriott Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 30, 2023

See photos from opening night of BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at Marriott Theatre.

Video: First Look at BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at the Marriott Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 28, 2023

Get a first look at footage of BUDDY - THE Buddy Holly STORY at the Marriott Theatre.

BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY Comes to the Marriott Theatre Next Month
by Stephi Wild - May 23, 2023

The smash hit musical celebration of the life of Buddy Holly, BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, arrives at the Marriott Theatre this summer, previewing Wednesday, June 21, opening June 28 at 7:30 p.m. and closing August 13, 2023.