Club Harlem Revue, ON KENTUCKY AVENUE, Makes NYC Debut at Laurie Beechman Theatre Tonight

On Kentucky Avenue, a 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 make its New York city debut at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42^nd Street, tonight, December 8, at 2 PM. The new musical is presented by Step Forward Entertainment Group Ltd. in association with Eightonal Coalition Inc., JR Knauf and Songbirds Unlimited Productions and. Robert R. Blume is the Executive Producer. Doors open at 1:15 PM.

The cast includes: Ty Stephens, Jeree Wade, Cheryl Freeman, Andricka Hall, Robert Fowler, Gregory J. Hanks, Sheldon Henry, Donna Clark, Renee Ternier, MIndy Haywood, Cassandra Palacio, Dorothi Fox and Lee Summers.  The Musicians: Frank Owens, Wilbur Bascomb, Damon Duewhite, Richard Cummings, Jr. 

The revue, created by Jeree (Palmer) Wade and directed by Adam Wade, features a book by Adam Wade and Ty Stephens, and original music by Frank Owens, Ty Stephens, Adam Wade, Wilbur Bascomb and Branice McKenzie. The Musical Direction is by Frank Owens and the Musical Supervisor is Wilbur Bascomb. The Choreography is by Ty Stephens. The Showgirl Consultant is Betty Jo. Micky Davis is the Swing Dance Consultant. The Creative Stage Play Consultant is Russ Weatherford. The Musical Supervisor and Contractor is Wilbur Bascomb.

Songbird Unlimited Productions are the Creative Producers/Original Music. The Assistant Music Director/Archivist is Richard Cummings, Jr. The Costume Consultant is Nina Johnston and the Production Manager is PEarl Williams.

The musical revue transports the audience back in time to the late 1960's when Club Harlem was the Mecca of entertainment and excitement in Atlantic City. It is a time when musical tastes are changing, a New Group of musical performers are emerging and the owners are seeking to revamp the production values and content of the show. Club Harlem on  Kentucky Avenue was where many dreams were fulfilled and others were shattered…. where gorgeous leggy  showgirls and talented black musicians and performers from all parts of the universe came together seeking fame, success, happiness, love and adventure, and sometimes found heartache and sorrow instead. Club Harlem was the supreme nightclub where the legendary and the up and coming mingle with the wealthy and down and outers, the privileged and the under-privileged, the famous and the infamous.

On Kentucky Avenue captures the feel and aura of the club, based on 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.

To post a comment, you must register and login.