Close Encounters of the Hair Kind at La Jolla Playhouse

 By Lonnie Burstein Hewitt.

 

Some of the artful braiders in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, in their Tony Award-winning costumes. (Photo by Ben Krantz Studio/Berkeley Repertory Theatre.jpg)

If you’re ready for a colorful, very unusual evening in theater, don’t miss the SoCal premiere of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, an acclaimed Broadway production now onstage at La Jolla Playhouse that brought its opening night audience to their feet on May 22^nd.

Co-produced with Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Center Theatre Group and Chicago Shakespeare Theater, in association with Madison Wells Live & LaChanze, it brings a rare taste of Harlem to La Jolla.

Though the show didn’t have a long run on Broadway in 2023, it was subsequently nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Play and Best Direction, and won a Tony for Best Costume Design by Dede Ayite, whose early work included costumes for LJP’s 2016 production of The Last Tiger in Haiti. And a Special Tony Award went to Nikiya Mathis for her Hair and Wig Design.

Two of the coolest hair and wig designs. (Photo by Ben Krantz Studio/Berkeley Repertory Theatre.jpg)

But there’s more than a display of designer talent in this portrayal of a day in a Harlem hair salon where immigrant stylists create fabulous do’s for their local customers. There’s humor, music, and some emotional moments, plus a timely connection with current events.

Interestingly, although Jaja’s name is featured in the show’s title, she makes just one brief appearance in her salon, wearing a fabulous costume.

And there are not only women onstage. Various male characters show up in Jaja’s salon and though each was significantly different, we were lucky enough to be seated next to the brother of the one man who played them all and were able to photograph and chat with him afterwards.

 

Onye Eme-Akwari, posing with the Jaja poster after the show.

The Nigerian-born actor, producer, musician and educator was the male understudy on Broadway, and occasionally appeared onstage there. Here at LJP, he’s five different men every time. (Photo by Maurice Hewitt)

A final note: On opening night, it was great to be part of the diverse audience as everyone leapt up at once in a standing ovation for the show.

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Whitney White, with additional direction for LJP by Manna-Symone Middlebrook, will be at the Mandell Weiss Theatre through June 15. For tickets and information: lajollaplayhouse.org or phone (858) 550-1010.  

 

Lonnie Burstein Hewitt is an award-winning author/lyricist/playwright who has been writing about arts and lifestyles in San Diego County for over a dozen years. You can reach her at hew2@sbcglobal.