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Photo Coverage: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Celebrates Opening Night!

By: Jul. 23, 2018
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The new production of Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller, officially opened last night, Sunday, July 22. The vibrant nine-member ensemble led by director choreographer Joshua Bergasse brings 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 features 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.

We're taking you inside opening night below!

Photo Credit: Jessica Fallon Gordon

Photo Coverage: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Celebrates Opening Night!  Image
John Arthur Greene

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Ben Vereen

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Andrew Rannells

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David Keyes

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Adrian Bailey

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Michael Park and Adrian Bailey

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Michael Park

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Ben Vereen and Adrian Bailey

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Adrian Bailey

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Brenda Braxton and Ken Ard

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Brenda Braxton

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Deb Lyons and Rebecca Luker

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Alison Solomon

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Stephen DeRosa

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Basil Twist and Ken Ard

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Joshua Bergasse and Sara Mearns

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Gideon Glick

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Gideon Glick and Ashley Park

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Ashley Park

Photo Coverage: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Celebrates Opening Night!  Image
The cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

Photo Coverage: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Celebrates Opening Night!  Image
The cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

Photo Coverage: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Celebrates Opening Night!  Image
The cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

Photo Coverage: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Celebrates Opening Night!  Image
Nicole Vanessa Ortiz and the cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

Photo Coverage: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Celebrates Opening Night!  Image
The cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

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Nicole Vanessa Ortiz and the cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

Photo Coverage: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Celebrates Opening Night!  Image
The cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

Photo Coverage: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Celebrates Opening Night!  Image
The cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

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Joshua Bergasse and the cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

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Mike Stoller and the cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

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Mike Stoller and the cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

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Mike Stoller and the cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

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Brenda Braxton and Lindsay Roberts

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Brenda Braxton and Lindsay Roberts

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Lindsay Roberts

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Lindsay Roberts

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Shavey Brown and Lindsay Roberts

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Shavey Brown and Lindsay Roberts

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Shavey Brown

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Shavey Brown

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Dionne D. Figgins

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Dionne D. Figgins

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Dan Domenech

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Dan Domenech

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Antoinette Comer

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Antoinette Comer

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Kyle Taylor Parker

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Kyle Taylor Parker

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Dan Domenech, Antoinette Comer, Alison Solomon, Bronwyn Tarboton, and Shavey Brown

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Bronwyn Tarboton

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Bronwyn Tarboton

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Emma Degerstedt

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Emma Degerstedt

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John Arthur Greene and Emma Degerstedt

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Max Sangerman

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Max Sangerman

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Alysha Umphress

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Alysha Umphress

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Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Dionne D. Figgins, Emma Degerstedt, and Alysha Umphress

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Nicole Vanessa Ortiz

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Nicole Vanessa Ortiz

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Dionne D. Figgins and Emma Degerstedt

Photo Coverage: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Celebrates Opening Night!  Image
Dionne D. Figgins and Emma Degerstedt

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John Edwards, Jelani Remy, Ken Ard, and Kyle Taylor Parker

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Jelani Remy

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Jelani Remy

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John Edwards

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John Edwards

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The cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

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Alison Solomon, Joshua Bergasse and the cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

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Alison Solomon, Joshua Bergasse and the cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

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Alison Solomon, Mike Stoller, Joshua Bergasse and the cast of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

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Dwayne Cooper

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Dwayne Cooper and Joshua Bergasse

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Mike Stoller and Joshua Bergasse







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