DJEMBE! Makes U.S. Debut At Apollo Theater In March

Following a smash-hit international tour, the new, interactive theatrical event, DJEMBE! The Show, makes its U.S. debut at the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago), for a strictly limited engagement starting performances on March 19, 2019 (with an official premiere on Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m.).

DJEMBE! (JEM-bay) will engage audiences in a high-energy program of powerful storytelling and inspiring music, including iconic pop hits. Leading this lively musical journey will be the trio of Broadway talent Ben Hope (Once) as Emcee; critically-acclaimed Chicago musical theater artist Rashada Dawan (Caroline, or Change) on lead vocals; and Guinean master drummer and folklorist Fode Lavia Camara, backed by an ensemble of world-class musicians.

DJEMBE! was originally created by British artist and social entrepreneur Doug Manuel and is co-written by Manuel and Director West Hyler (Jersey Boys, Cirque du Soleil's Paramour on Broadway, iLuminate, Big Apple Circus).

The accomplished creative team includes Tony Award-winner Todd Rosenthal (Scenic Design), Obie Award-winner Montana Levi Blanco (Costumes), Zach Blane (Lighting), Ray Nardelli (Sound), Resean Davonte Johnson (Projections), and musician and storyteller Seckou Keita (Lead African Artist).

This U.S. debut is proudly presented by Ashley DeSimone Productions in partnership with TSG Theatricals.

Upon seeing this show, I was immediately reminded of how I felt at Blue Man Group when that show first launched: exhilarated, transported, alive. DJEMBE! is an uplifting journey that I think individuals, friends and families all want to experience right now. Audiences can choose to interact musically with our storytellers, which is surprisingly fun and also unique, said DeSimone. We are delighted to have our initial U.S. home be in Chicago.

Added Manuel, What's particularly exciting is the transformative nature of the experience when there are more than four hundred people in the audience playing music together. Versions of DJEMBE! have already been used by companies including Google, McDonald's, IBM, Nestle, and Procter & Gamble to illustrate the importance of collaboration and community. World-class entertainment, but with an important message. One of our biggest fans is Oprah Winfrey, who chose DJEMBE! to open one of her OWN SuperSoul sessions!

Lead cast bios:

Ben Hope (Emcee) made his Broadway debut in 2012 as the original replacement for the lead role in the Tony Award-winning musical Once. He has also traveled the world playing such notable musical greats as Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Woody Guthrie, and Johnny Cash, among other more traditional musical theatre roles. Hope is the leader of the NYC-based honky-tonk band Ben Hope & The Uptown Outfit and is honored to be among these incredibly talented musicians for his debut in Chicago area theater.

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Rashada Dawan (Vocalist) toured for four years with Disney's The Lion King Las Vegas company and in the Gazelle National Tour as Shenzi (affectionately known as "the Whoppi Goldberg hyena"). Other credits include: Caroline, or Change (Firebrand Theatre), Elf (Paramount), A Red Line Runs Through It (Second City), The Nutcracker (Lincolnshire Marriott), Aida (MUNY), Big River (Boho Theatre), Once On This Island (Yellow Alligator Theatre), TV/Film: The Red Line (CBS), Proven Innocent (Fox), Empire (Fox), Easy (Netflix)

Fode Lavia Camara (Lead djembe drummer) is a master drummer, folklorist, percussionist and choreographer who exemplifies the new generation in the preservation of West African traditions and the influence of these traditions on the world. Among his performance credits, in 2000, after an international search, Camara was recruited to Senegal's Ballets D'Afrique Noire for a 32-city tour of the United States as lead drummer in a production entitled Mandinka Epic. He teaches annually at Kumandi African Drum and Dance Camp and tours nationally and internationally as an instructor, choreographer, and guest artist.

DJEMBE! The Show will be performed at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, in a strictly limited engagement, March 19 - June 2, 2019: Tuesdays - Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., with matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets range in price from $39.00 - $69.00 and are now on sale at www.djembetheshow.com, the Apollo Theater box office, phone (773) 935-6100, and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Enjoy special pricing in the first week of preview performances (March 19-24) when all tickets are priced at $39.00. DJEMBE! The Show is enjoyable for all ages; single ticket discounts are available for students and seniors. Discounts for groups of 10 or more are available through Group Theater Tix, (312) 423-6612, www.grouptheatertix.com.

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