ON KENTUCKY AVENUE Returns to Stage 72/The Triad This August

Due to popular demand, ON KENTUCKY AVENUE, a newly revised musical revue based loosely on fact (and mostly fiction) about the people and performers who took the stage and filled the tables at the majestic Club Harlem 'on Kentucky Avenue' in the north section of Atlantic City from the 1930s until the late 1980s, will return to STAGE 72/THE TRIAD, 158 West 72nd Street, for five performances in August. The additional performances will take place on Sundays, August 3, 10, 17 and 24 at 3 PM, and Monday, August 4, at 7 PM.

Tickets for the five additional summer performances are a cool $20 plus a 2-drink minimum. Tickets can be ordered 24/7 from Brown Paper Tickets 1-800-838-3006 or online at www.Stage72.com or www.onkentuckyavenue.com.

Doors open at 1/2 hour before curtain. All Tickets will be at Will Call.

The new musical revue, created by Jeree Wade and written by Adam Wade and Ty Stephens, has been in development for the past 2 1/2 years, and is now being prepared for a planned Broadway production in 2015 that will follow a brief tour. The musical is presented by Robert R. Blume, Adam Wade, Songbirds Unlimited Productions, Peter Martin/Rick Newman in association with J.R. Knauf, Marshall N. Warner, Marya Coburn and Cobi Narita. Adam Wade is the Director and Ty Stephens is Choreographer.

The show stars Ty Stephens, Cheryl Freeman, and Andricka Hall and features Lee Summers as Comedian Slappy Black, and Jeree Wade as singer Damita Jo. Also appearing are dancers (in alphabetical order): Olutayo Bosede, Donna Clark, Brian Davis, Gregory J. Hanks, Mindy Haywood, Cassandra Palacio and Renee Ternier. The on-stage live band features Frank Owens on piano, Wilbur Bascomb on bass, Greg Bueford on drums and Richard Cummings, Jr. on synthesizer.

The Original music is by Ty Stephens, Frank Owens, Branice McKenzie, Wilbur Bascomb, Adam Wade and Jeree Wade. The Musical Direction is by Frank Owens. Musical Supervisor is Wilbur Bascomb and Music Archivist/Conductor is Richard Cummings, Jr. Swing Dance Choreography is by Mickey Davidson. The Associate Choreographer is Donna Clark. Showgirl Consultant is Betty Jo (original Club Harlem showgirl) and Creative Consultant is Russ Weatherford. Costumes were created by Ty Stephens and Pearl Williams. The Production Manager is Pearl Williams.

The ON KENTUCKY AVE Club Harlem Revue takes place in a time -- before the Casinos took over Atlantic City -- when nightclubbing was still in vogue with leggy showgirls, hysterical comedians, and great singers and dancers entertaining the well dressed, well heeled audiences. The most famous of the clubs on the musical street known as Kentucky Avenue was the Club Harlem. Regarded in those years as "the black Copacabana" the club starred the major black talent of the era in fantastic stage shows that had flair and fashion from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

ON KENTUCKY AVENUE captures the feel and aura of the club, based on the personal experiences of Adam and Jeree Wade, who performed there during different eras - 30 years apart -- and were witnesses to much of the backstage intrigues that took place nightly. The musical features a hot band, beautiful showgirls, exciting dance numbers, humor, tears and laughs, as well as a poignant love story, performed to an original score true to the era, interspersed with hit songs from that same era!

Here is what critics and TONY nominees are saying about On Kentucky Avenue:

"'On Kentucky Avenue' is a party you don't want to miss!" -TONY nominee Maurice Hines

"The show is fabulous!" -TONY nominee Brenda Braxton

"What makes this show so spectacular, is the many wonderful song and dance numbers brilliantly executed on a very small stage in an intimate club. The performance not only uses the stage but also features showgirls prancing down the aisle and, on occasion, interacting with members of the audience!" -Paulanne Simmons, Theater Pizzaz

"It is the effervescent revue-formatted display of talent that makes the production sizzle. Ty Stephens is a dynamic MC and singer, with Cheryl Freeman and Andricka Hall tops in the vocal department. Jeree Wade is also spotlighted as a guest star appearing as Damita Jo." -Wolf Entertainment Guide

"This show was brilliant! We felt the heat, we felt the sweat, and felt the beat. The choreography is show stopping, the outfits are gorgeous and the performances are right on the money. Featuring an original score and a few favorites from the 60s (one of my favorite music eras), the beats were enticing, the ensembles and the vocals had me floored!" -Krystin Goodwin, KagedMedia/Buzz60

"Lightening up the love complications, (which never interfere with non-stop singing and costume changes by Ty Stephens and Pearl Williams) is comedian Lee Summers "Slappy Black" (a nod to the real-life Slappy White, who played the original Club Harlem)" -Dr. Sue

For additional information please visit www.onkentuckyavenue.com