ON KENTUCKY AVENUE to Play Added Performances at Stage 72 This Month

ON KENTUCKY AVENUE lives on at STAGE 72/THE TRIAD! The newly revised musical revue, a fictional story 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, has been extended for three Sunday performances on Sept. 7 (3 PM), 14 (3 PM) and 21 (7 PM). Created by Jeree Wade, who performed at the legendary nightclub and who appears in this production as one of its most popular singers Damita Jo, the production focuses on a fictional love triangle, based loosely on fact, between the club's emcee and two of its leading ladies.

The script was written by Adam Wade and Ty Stephens. Adam Wade starred at Club Harlem for many years and staged this production with Ty Stephens, who also choreographed this musical revue that has been in development for nearly three years. It is now being prepared for a planned Broadway production in 2015 (following a brief tour). The musical is presented by Robert R. Blume and Adam Wade, with Songbirds Unlimited Productions, Peter Martin/Rick Newman in association with J.R. Knauf, Marshall N. Warner, Marya Coburn and Cobi Narita.

The show stars Ty Stephens as the Emcee, Cheryl Freeman and Andricka Hall as the female headliners who are the women in his life, and features Lee Summers as The Comedian in addition to Jeree Wade as Damita Jo. Also appearing are dancers (in alphabetical order): Donna Clark, Brian Davis, Gregory J. Hanks, Mindy Haywood, Olutayo, Cassandra Palacio and Renee Ternier. The swing dancers are Carmen Carriker and Holly Wright. The on-stage live band features Frank Owens on piano, Wilbur Bascomb on bass, Damon Duwhite 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 The Atlantic City Club Harlem Revue takes place in a time before the Casinos took over Atlantic City. Nightclubbing was in vogue with leggy showgirls, hilarious 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 -- and trysts -- 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 period! The action takes place on the day of the final dress rehearsal for the 1969 season's new show.

Tickets for the three additional September 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 the Will Call Table.