Jaja's African Hair Braiding Broadway

Jaja's African Hair Braiding 2023

Ages: 16+
Opened: October 3, 2023
Closing: November 19, 2023

Jaja's African Hair Braiding - 2023 - Broadway History , Info & More

This dazzling world premiere from Jocelyn Bioh welcomes you into Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon in Harlem where every day, a lively and eclectic group of West African immigrant hair braiders are creating masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women. During one sweltering summer day, love will blossom, dreams will flourish and secrets will be revealed. The uncertainty of their circumstances simmers below the surface of their lives and when it boils over, it forces this tight-knit community to confront what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home.

Jaja's African Hair Braiding - 2023 - Broadway Cast

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Jaja's African Hair Braiding

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Where the Stories Intertwine Too
8 / 10

Jaja’s can sometimes veer a little formulaic or presentational: In the single-scene appearance of Jaja herself, Kakoma spends most of her time standing directly downstage center (in, not to spoil anything, an absolute battleship of a wedding gown), facing out and delivering a rousing monologue about her right to call America “my country.” It rings clear and true, though I wonder how the same speech would have felt had White oriented Jaja as much toward her fellow characters as toward us, or what its effect might have been in a theater space without such a flat, front-on relationship with the audience. But this isn’t subtle stuff, and it’s not meant to be. Instead, it’s bright, generous, and forceful, and those currents carry the day. As Miriam says, perhaps speaking partly for her playwright, “No more time for quiet. I want to be loud, yeah? … Yeah. Very loud.”

JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING: HARLEM BRAIDS MAY NOT BE TIGHT ENOUGH
7 / 10

Bioh contrives a heart-stopping development that threatens not only Jaja but daughter Marie. She contrives it but awkwardly. As she rapidly heads into ending the play, she leaves things on — forgive this — ice. And this leaves Jaja’s African Hair Braiding as insufficiently dramatic, though never less than amusing, as acted by the 10-member cast and directed by Whitney White, who apparently knows exactly what has a braiding outfit buzzing any and every day. The play does give a reviewer a chance to nod strongly at a creative team member too often overlooked: the hair and wig designer. That individual is indisputably crucial here. Check out, especially, what eye-catchers crown Bea, Aminata, and Ndidi. Awesome work, Nikiya Mathis.

Interview: Broadway's Newest Power Producer, LaChanze, Talks JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING and More
by A.A. Cristi - November 12, 2023


One of Broadway's best, Tony Award-winner LaChanze, has broken the fourth wall and crossing the footlights to perform a new role- producer. Read our interview with this theatrical legend!

JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING to Live Stream Final Week of Broadway Run
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 30, 2023


The League of Live Stream Theater will partner with Manhattan Theatre Club to present the Broadway sensation Jaja's African Hair Braiding via live stream.

Video: Stars Walk the Red Carpet for Opening Night of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING
by Red Carpet - October 16, 2023


The world premiere of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play) and directed by Whitney White just opened last week. In this video, watch as stars walk the red carpet.

JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Extended Through Late November
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 12, 2023


Get the latest updates on JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, the hit Broadway show that has been extended. Don't miss out on this limited-time opportunity to experience the vibrant energy of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING on stage.

Video: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING's Nana Mensah Is On the Rise!
by Candace Cordelia - October 15, 2023


An incredible ensemble of actors makes up the cast of Broadway's most exciting new play- Jocelyn Bioh's Jaja's African Hair Braiding. One of them is Nana Mensah. In this video, watch as she checks in with BroadwayWorld's Candace Cordelia to chat about bringing Bioh's incredible new work to Broadway.

Photos: Taraji P. Henson, Noah Centineo & More Arrive on the Red Carpet for JAJA's AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING
by Bruce Glikas - October 6, 2023


Check out photos from the opening night red carpet of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh.

Photos: JAJA's AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Cast Celebrates Opening Night
by Bruce Glikas - October 5, 2023


It's been a big week at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, where MTC just celebrated opening night of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Check out photos from the after party here!

Video: Go Inside Opening Night of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING
by Opening Night - October 5, 2023


It's been a big week at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, where MTC just celebrated opening night of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Whitney White. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special occasion and you can go inside the festivities with Richard Ridge in this video.

Photos: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Cast Walks the Red Carpet on Opening Night
by Bruce Glikas - October 4, 2023


Jaja’s African Hair Braiding officially opened last night, October 3, at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Performances run through Sunday, November 5. Check out photos from inside the festivities here!

Photos: The Cast of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Takes Opening Night Bows
by Bruce Glikas - October 4, 2023


Jaja’s African Hair Braiding officially opened last night, October 3, at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Check out photos of the cast taking their opening night bows here!

Review Roundup: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Opens On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - October 3, 2023


Jaja’s African Hair Braiding opens tonight at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Read the reviews!

Words From The Wings: Brittany Adebumola of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Talks Backstage Rituals, Moments, and More!
by Stephi Wild - October 11, 2023


BroadwayWorld is bringing you Words From the Wings, a new series of interviews that take fans behind the scenes of some of their favorite Broadway stars' backstage routines! Today we're chatting with Brittany Adebumola from Jaja's African Hair Braiding.

Video: Watch Highlights from JAJA's AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING on Broadway
by Show Highlights - September 28, 2023


Watch video highlights of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, which opens October 3, 2023 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre !

JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Extends Broadway Engagement Through Early November
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 28, 2023


JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING's Broadway engagement has been extended. Now running through early November. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Photos: First Look at JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 22, 2023


Check out photos of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING on Broadway! Learn how to purchase tickets!

Character Breakdown: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Cast Unpacks Their Roles
by Nicole Rosky - September 17, 2023


In this video, watch as the cast of Jocelyn Bioh's Jaja's African Hair Braiding unpacks their roles ahead of opening night on Broadway!

Meet the Cast of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!
by Stephi Wild - September 12, 2023


Jaja's African Hair Braiding will begin previews tonight, Tuesday, September 12 and open on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Meet the cast of Jaja's African Hair Braiding here!

JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Will Offer Post-Show Talkback Series
by Stephi Wild - September 6, 2023


The world premiere of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding begins previews next week. Learn more about the upcoming post-show talkbacks!

Video: The Company of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Meets the Press!
by A.A. Cristi - August 18, 2023


Rehearsals are now underway for the world premiere of Jaja's African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play) and directed by Whitney White (Our Dear Dead Drug Lord).

Photos: Meet the Cast of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING
by Jennifer Broski - August 17, 2023


Rehearsals are now underway for the world premiere of Jaja's African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Whitney White. The company just met the press and you can check out photos from inside the big day here!

Up on the Marquee: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING
by Jennifer Broski - August 9, 2023


Check out new photos of the Broadway marquee for the world premiere of Jaja's African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play) and directed by Whitney White (Our Dear Dead Drug Lord).

Tickets Are on Sale Now For JAJA's AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - August 9, 2023


Ttickets are now on sale for the world premiere of Jaja's African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play) and directed by Whitney White (Our Dear Dead Drug Lord).

Full Cast Revealed For JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING
by Stephi Wild - July 27, 2023


The full cast has been announced for the world premiere of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Whitney White. Find out who is starring in the world premiere here!

LaChanze, Taraji P. Henson & Madison Wells Live Join JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Producing Team
by Chloe Rabinowitz - July 25, 2023


Get all the details about the exciting partnership between MTC, Madison Wells Live, LaChanze, and Taraji P. Henson for the upcoming production of JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING. Find out when and where you can catch this groundbreaking collaboration that promises to captivate audiences this fall.

Jaja's African Hair Braiding FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Jaja's African Hair Braiding have there been?
Jaja's African Hair Braiding has had 1 productions including Broadway which opened in 2023.
How long has Jaja's African Hair Braiding been running on Broadway?
Jaja's African Hair Braiding opened at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (Broadway) on Tuesday Oct 03, 2023 and has now been running for 1 month.
What theatre is Jaja's African Hair Braiding playing at on Broadway?
Jaja's African Hair Braiding is playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (Broadway), which is located at 261 W. 47th St. New York.
What awards has Jaja's African Hair Braiding been nominated for?
Jaja's African Hair Braiding has been nominated for the Distinguished Performance award at the Drama League Awards for Zenzi Williams, Outstanding Direction of a Play for Whitney White, and Outstanding Production of a Play for Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.

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