Kyle Taylor Parker, Dionne D. Figgins, & More Begin Smokey Joe’s Cafe Rehearsals!

The Grammy award-winning & Tony-nominated musical revue Smokey Joe’s Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller is set for a revival and rehearsals to begin today. Well, you can’t rehearse without a cast and we’re thrilled to announce those vibrant young cast members who will take over Stage 42 (422 West 42^nd Street) this summer.

The revival cast 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).

The 9 member ensemble will be led by director & choreographer Joshua Bergasse breathing new life into more than 30 classic songs including “Stand by Me,” “I’m a Woman,” “Hound Dog,” “Fools Fall In Love,” & “On Broadway.”

Performances begin on July 6. Rehearsals begin today and opening night is set for July 22.

The original production of Smokey Joe’s opened on March 2, 1995, and closed on Jan 16, 2000, becoming the longest-running revue to play on Broadway.

Tickets are now on sale; the box office will open on June 25. Prior to the New York production, the show will play at The Ogunquit Playhouse from May 16 – June 9.

The creative team features scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Alejo Vietti, lighting design by Jeff Croiter, sound design by Peter Fitzgerald, original vocal arrangements by Chapman Roberts, and orchestrations by Steve Margoshes and Sonny Paladino. Music Supervision and new arrangements are also by Mr. Paladino. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting.