Jaja's African Hair Braiding
Jaja's African Hair Braiding - 2023 Broadway History , Info & More
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (Broadway)
261 W. 47th St. New York, NY 10036
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
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Jaja's African Hair Braiding
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.
Review: ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ on Broadway is a lively slice of life, one braid at a time
9 / 10
You don’t need to be a Black woman with braids to enjoy this play: heck, it might teach you something about the intricacies of a craft you only have observed from afar. But this play is also trying to reach a Black audience, long ignored by Broadway. It took producers a while, but there are signs in this still-young season that many have finally figured out that many of the audience members they want to reach are not looking for dramas about pain, aimed mostly at white audiences, but instead want affirmative experiences that offer laughs at human foibles and celebrate doing something really well, day in, day out. “Jaja’s” is a comedy about life as it is lived in this place, about community, aspiration and entrepreneurship. Mostly, though, it’s a show about immigrants getting the job done, and having fun doing it, one braid at a time.
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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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
by A.A. Cristi - October 3, 2023
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding opens tonight at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Read the reviews!
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.
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 !
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!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 22, 2023
Check out photos of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING on Broadway! Learn how to purchase tickets!
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!
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!
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!
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).
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!
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).
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).
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!
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
Jaja's African Hair Braiding History
Other Productions of Jaja's African Hair Braiding
| 2023 | Broadway |
Manhattan Theatre Club Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 2026 | West End |
West End |
Jaja's African Hair Braiding - 2023 Broadway Awards and Nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play | Brittany Adebumola |
| 2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Play | Jocelyn Bioh |
| 2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Wig and Hair | Nikiya Mathis |
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Zenzi Williams |
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Play | Whitney White |
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Play | Jaja’s African Hair Braiding |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Costume Design (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Dede Ayite |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Play | Jocelyn Bioh |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Play | Dede Ayite |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Play | Whitney White |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Jocelyn Bioh |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Scenic Design of a Play | David Zinn |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Sound Design of a Play | Justin Ellington |
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