Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Encores! presents a seductive, potent revival of JELLY’S LAST JAM at New York City Center

• By drediman
• February 22, 2024
• No Comments

Last night, the Encores! revival of Jelly’s Last Jam blazed open at New York City Center. The 1991 musical chronicles the life and times of jazz musician Jelly Roll Morton from the perspective of beyond the grave (think Evita, or even Dickens’ A Christmas Carol), allowing the subject – and others – to comment on the events of his life. Featuring a book by George C. Wolfe (who also originally directed), lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and music by Morton and Luther Henderson, the Gregory Hines vehicle opened to rave notices and garnered a slew of season-end nominations (however, the coveted Tony Award for Best Musical ultimately went to the crowd-pleasing Gershwin jukebox musical Crazy for You).

For the long-overdue Encores! revival – which arrives just in time to close out Black History Month – director Robert O’Hara has given the musical an elegant staging that puts the emphasis on Wolfe’s nuanced book, which paints a painfully conflicted portrait of the great jazz musician. Indeed, Wolfe’s work is light years ahead of the bio-musicals that have come after it – far more interesting thematically and in construction. Which is not to say the musical numbers aren’t dazzling, which they are, especially Edgar Godineaux and Dormeshia’s foot-stomping choreography. But without the blinding triple threat abilities of Hines and his original co-star Savion Glover (as Young Jelly, here played by the young Alaman Diadhiou, a very talented hoofer in his own right), O’Hara is able to shape a particularly potent, more balanced depiction of internalized racism and self-loathing (as the director of the blistering Slave Play, O’Hara is not one to shy away from such internal discord). Although a part of me wishes there were more visual clues to accompany the plot’s various settings, it’s nonetheless a huge pleasure to hear this sizzling score played and sung in all its glory, despite some minor opening night sound issues.

All around, the cast is sensational, starting with Nicholas Christopher (fresh from his stint in the title role of Sweeney Todd) as Jelly. Although not the strongest of dancers, the dashing leading man sings the heck out of the score and gives a powerful performance with a clear dramatic arc. As his spectral guide on “the other side”, Tony-winner Bill Porter is fabulous and commanding, throwing off some serious André De Shields vibes. Also superb are Tony-winner Joaquina Kalukango, big-voiced Tiffany Mann, the great Leslie Uggams – all three thrillingly playing fiery, uncompromising women in Jelly’s life. Last but not least, it was also quite the treat to see the musical’s original Hunnies – the gorgeous Allison M. Williams, Stephanie Pope Lofgren, and Mamie Duncan-Gibbs – who more than ever exude the show’s seductive pulse.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

JELLY’S LAST JAM
Off-Broadway, Musical
Encores! at New York City Center
2 hours, 20 minutes (with one intermission)
Through March 3