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Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!

By: Jun. 27, 2018
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They say the neon lights are bright off Broadway! The new production of Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller, begins preview performances on Friday, July 6 and officially opens on Sunday, July 22.

The vibrant nine-member ensemble led by director choreographer Joshua Bergasse will bring new life to more than 30 classic songs including "Stand by Me," "I'm a Woman," "Hound Dog," "Fools Fall In Love," "On Broadway," "Yakety Yak," "Pearl's a Singer," "Treat Me Nice," "There Goes My Baby," "Love Potion #9," "Jailhouse Rock," and "Spanish Harlem."

Smokey Joe's Cafe will feature Dwayne Cooper (Motown, Hairspray), Emma Degerstedt(Desperate Measures Off-Broadway), John Edwards (Jersey Boys), Dionne D. Figgins(Hot Feet, Memphis), Nicole Vanessa Ortiz (Spamilton Off-Broadway), Kyle Taylor Parker (Kinky Boots, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Jelani Remy (Disney's The Lion King), Max Sangerman (Blue Man Group Off-Broadway), and Alysha Umphress (On The Town, American Idiot).

Featuring a wide-ranging catalog, from joyous anthems ("Saved") to comedic romps ("Charlie Brown") to songs of yearning ("I Who Have Nothing"), the storytelling aspect of Leiberand Stoller's songwriting paired perfectly with the theatrical medium. With soulful ballads rooted in blues, their songs celebrate the humor, passion, and heartbreak that infuse everyday lives. Classics such as "Neighborhood" and "Stand by Me" celebrated the power of community and friendship and deeply resonated with the African American community just as much as they did with rebellious suburban teenagers. Now, this classic show returns to NYC to thrill a new generation of theatergoers with its enduring themes and searing emotions.

The cast just gave a special sneak peek and BWW was there to catch all the action. Check out photos from the event below!

Photos Credit: Walter McBride

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
John Edwards, Dwayne Cooper, Jelani Remy and Kyle Taylor Parker

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
John Edwards, Kyle Taylor Parker, Jelani Remy and Dwayne Cooper

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Nicole Vanessa Ortiz and Kyle Taylor Parker and cast

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Nicole Vanessa Ortiz and Kyle Taylor Parker and cast

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Nicole Vanessa Ortiz and Kyle Taylor Parker

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Kyle Taylor Parker and Nicole Vanessa Ortiz with cast

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Kyle Taylor Parker and Nicole Vanessa Ortiz with cast

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Nicole Vanessa Ortiz

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Max Sangerman

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Max Sangerman

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Max Sangerman and cast

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Max Sangerman

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Max Sangerman

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Max Sangerman

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Alysha Umphress

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Alysha Umphress, Dionne D. Figgins, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, and Emma Degerstedt

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Alysha Umphress

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Alysha Umphress

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Emma Degerstedt, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Dionne D. Figgins and Alysha Umphress

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Alysha Umphress

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Emma Degerstedt, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Dionne D. Figgins and Alysha Umphress

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
John Edwards, Kyle Taylor Parker, Dwayne Cooper and Jelani Remy

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Kyle Taylor Parker and cast

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
John Edwards

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
John Edwards

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
John Edwards and Jelani Remy with the cast

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Dwayne Cooper, Alysha Umphrees, Kyle Taylor Parker, Dionne D. Figgins, John Edwards, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Jelani Remy, Emma Degerstedt and Max Sangerman

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Dwayne Cooper, Alysha Umphrees, Kyle Taylor Parker, Dionne D. Figgins, John Edwards, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Jelani Remy, Emma Degerstedt and Max Sangerman

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Dwayne Cooper, Alysha Umphrees, Kyle Taylor Parker, Dionne D. Figgins, John Edwards, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Jelani Remy, Emma Degerstedt and Max Sangerman

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
The Cast

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
The cast

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Joshusa Bergasse

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Joshusa Bergasse

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Joshusa Bergasse

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
John Edwards, Dwayne Cooper,Jelani Remy, Max Sangerman and Kyle Taylor Parker

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
John Edwards, Dwayne Cooper,Jelani Remy, Max Sangerman and Kyle Taylor Parker

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
John Edwards, Dwayne Cooper,Jelani Remy, Max Sangerman and Kyle Taylor Parker

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
John Edwards, Dwayne Cooper,Joshua Bergasse, Jelani Remy, Max Sangerman and Kyle Taylor Parker

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Kyle Taylor Parker, Dwayne Cooper, Emma Degerstedt, Joshua Bergasse, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Jelani Remy, Dionne D. Figgins, Max Sangerman, John Edwards and Alysha Umphrees

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Kyle Taylor Parker, Dwayne Cooper, Emma Degerstedt, Joshua Bergasse, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Jelani Remy, Dionne D. Figgins, Max Sangerman, John Edwards and Alysha Umphrees

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Jelani Remy, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Max Sangerman, Alysha Umphress, Dionne D. Figgins, Dwayne Cooper, Emma Degetstedt, John Edwards and Kyle Taylor Parker

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Alysha Umphress, Dionne D. Figgins and Emma Degerstedt

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Alysha Umphress, Dionne D. Figgins and Emma Degerstedt

Photo Coverage: The Cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Meets the Press at Feinstein's/54 Below!  Image
Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Alysha Umphress, Dionne D. Figgins and Emma Degerstedt







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