Photo Flash: 'ON KENTUCKY AVENUE' Returns to City College Tonight

Back by popular demand, ON KENTUCKY AVENUE: A Celebration of Atlantic City's Historic Club Harlem returns to City College's performing arts center Aaron Davis Hall tonight, February 19, for a three-day encore engagement. The show, which shines a red-hot spotlight on a little-known piece of Black history, is presented by the City College Center for the Arts (CCCA) and Byron and Sylvia Lewis. An audience favorite, last February, the production was created by Jeree Wade and directed and written by Adam Wade with Ty Stephens. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the show!

The musical is fictional but inspired by real people in a real place: Kentucky Avenue, the center of black night life in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Summers were hot, not only because of the balmy beach weather but also by virtue of the sizzling music and dance emanating from the clubs on the block. The most famous spot of all was Club Harlem, named in honor of the genre of Black live entertainment that was fast-paced, jazzy and pulsating, with dancers, singers, elegant showgirls, comedians and specialty acts. Performers at the "Black Copacabana" included Ella Fitzgerald, Richard Pryor, Sammy Davis Jr., Nancy Wilson, Billy Daniels, Moms Mabley, Duke Ellington, Slappy White, Sarah Vaughan and the Temptations, but headliners from neighboring clubs would often stop by for Club Harlem's 5 a.m.show-renowned entertainers like Frank Sinatra, Milton Berle, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

The setting is the 1969 season opening night dress rehearsal. A love triangle develops between producer Ivan King (Ty Stephens), the lead showgirl Betty Jo Stanton (Renee Ternier) and her best friend the featured female vocalist Pauline Pierce (Andricka Hall). Jeree Wade makes a special appearance as Damita Jo, a popular singer who often opened the summer entertainment season. The production features Lee Summers as Slappy Black. Rounding out the ensemble are Carmen Carriker, Donna Clark, Gregory J. Hanks, Mindy Haywood, Olutayo, Cassandra Palacio, Devin Price, Zhana Saunders, and Garrett Turner.

Keeping the music flowing each night is the Freddie Baxter Band, which includes: Frank Owens as Freddie Baxter (piano), Wilbur Bascomb as Odell Craft (bass), David Silliman (drums), Richard Cummings Jr. (synthesizer) and Jack Cavari (guitar).

Scenic design is by Ty Stephens, Piero Ramos and Yvette Spellman, choreography by Ty Stephens and swing choreographer and tap consulting by Mickey Davidson, costume design by Pearl Williams and Ty Stephens and music direction by Frank Owens. ON KENTUCKY AVENUE features '60s chart-topping music plus an original score true to the era by Ty Stephens, Frank Owens, Wilbur Bascomb, Branice McKenzie, Adam Wade and Jeree Wade.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.citycollegecenterforthearts.org or through the box office by telephone at (212) 650-6900 or in person (Monday through Friday from 12 noon to 6 p.m.). Aaron Davis Hall is located on the campus of the City College of New York, at West 135th Street and Convent Avenue (129 Convent Avenue). City College Center for the Arts can be followed on Twitter at @ccnyarts. For the latest news on the production, follow #OnKentuckyAve or #OKAatCCCA or visit www.onkentuckyavenue.com.

Photo Credit: Mojo Visual

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