Kid Creole's CHERCHEZ LA FEMME to Open Off-Broadway

CHERCHEZ LA FEMME - a new musical extravaganza inspired by the wildly popular 80's pop song and the Bronx native who wrote it, Kid Creole - will be given its world premiere production by La MaMa, with previews starting May 20 prior to opening night May 23 at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.) in New York City. CHERCHEZ LA FEMME is directed by Angie Kristic, with choreography by Kyndra Reevey.

With book by August Darnell (aka Kid Creole) and Vivien Goldman, CHERCHEZ LA FEMME has music by Stony Browder, Jr. and August Darnell. The score is comprised of the iconic title song CHERCHEZ LA FEMME and other hits by Kid Creole and the Coconuts, such as "Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy," "Stool Pigeon," "Endicott" and "I'm A Wonderful Thing Baby," along with new compositions.

Set in NYC and the Caribbean in the 1980's, CHERCHEZ LA FEMME traces the fortunes of August Darnell as his band Kid Creole and the Coconuts rose to sudden fame from the outrageous 80's club scene in New York to worldwide acclaim in Europe and beyond with a string of calypso, tropical funk groove-flavored hits. CHERCHEZ LA FEMME is the story of a man, his music and the powerful women who made it possible.

The wildly talented and enthusiastic young cast of CHERCHEZ LA FEMM includes Jacira Araujo (Addie), Aja Downing (Ensemble), Isaac Gay (Caufy Keeps), Chrisopher Hanford (Ensemble), Kristina Hanford (L.A./Lemon Drop), Julius Hollingsworth(Ensemble), Traci Michelle (Doris), Molly Mccloskey ( Lilikoi/Lemon Drop), Charles Bernard Murray (Stingy Brim), Julia Neveu (Ulrike/Ensemble), Antonio Rowland (Ensemble), Carey Segal (Ensemble/Dance Captain), Nerses Stamos (Benny the doorman), Jenna Velichko (Hilde /Lemon Drop) and Skyler Volpe (Deliciosa).

August Darnell (Book/Music), who formed Kid Creole and the Coconuts following his own success with Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band (managed by the legendary Tommy Mottola), has recorded 11 albums. He is also the co-author of the play IN A PIG'S VALISE by Eric Overmeyer, a breakout hit Off-Broadway in 1989. Darnell is an avowed fan of musicals and movie-musicals. His musical collaborator, Stony Browder, Jr., is his brother and song-writing collaborator, and the person credited with turning his attention from English literature to music while Darnell was a student at Hofstra University.

Vivien Goldman (Book), aka "The Punk Professor" teaches at The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU Tisch School, wrote what is considered the definitive book on Kid Creole and the Coconuts, INDISCREET. Ms. Goldman has also written two books about Bob Marley, most recently, THE BOOK OF MARLEY'S EXODUS (Three Rivers Press/Random House). She also wrote songs in the early 1980's with the Flying Lizards, now being re-issued in a set entitled "Resolutionary."

Angie Kristic (Director) has directed productions at the Midtown International Theatre Festival including YOUR NAME ON MY LIPS and TO WIN A CROWN OF THORNS. Other credits include HOW ALFO LEARNED TO LOVE WOMEN at Italian Cultural Center and DEUCE at Guild Hall.

Kyndra Reevey (Choreography) has danced on tour with such pop artists as Whitney Houston, Usher, Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson, and has choreographed for Usher, JLo and Beyonce. She choreographed the hit movie PITCH PERFECT and PITCH PERFECT 2.

Adriana Kaegi (Costumes) is a co-founder of Kid Creole and the Coconuts, and the band's resident choreographer and costume designer is designing costumes for CHERCHEZ LA FEMME. Ms. Kaegi has dressed the band for appearances on The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live.

CHERCHEZ LA FEMME will perform May 20 - June 12, 2016. Tickets are $35. $30 for students/seniors. Purchase online at www.lamama.org or by phone at 646-430-5374.

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