‘Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.’
It is a popular expression that will hold profound meaning to a group of designers in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.
Today is a special day in this Harlem salon. The store owner, Jaja is getting married and before MaConnia Chesser as charismatic and outspoken Jaja makes her grand entrance, this salon buzzes with excitement, commotion, confiding, gossip, venting and conflict as steamy July temperatures show no sign of cooling off and the air conditioner hits a snag.
Directed with pizzazz by Summer L. Williams, SpeakEasy Stage Company continues Jocelyn Bioh’s dramedy Jaja’s African Hair Braiding through Saturday, May 31 at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts. This production is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.
Set in 2019, behind these vividly painted graffiti double doors emblazed with ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ holds an impressive salon by Janie E. Howland featuring an array of identical salon chairs and overhead lights and includes meticulous details such as hazy steam fogging the mirrors, torn posters, and litter collecting out the doors.
While Jaja makes her big plans, this group of West African immigrant designers are holding down the salon and making plans of their own. Dru Sky Berrian makes a captivating entrance as Jaja’s anxious and cheerful daughter Maria who comically vents about already having a day of all days before the shop even opens. Maria helps out at the salon and although Jaja envisions Maria’s life in a lucrative profession, Maria has set her sights on other dreams. Well intentioned and earnest, sympathetic Berrian is the heart of the show.
Crystin Gilmore portrays veteran designer Bea who has an ax to grind, particularly with younger designer, Ndidi, portrayed by Catia, who is there temporarily because the shop that Ndidi worked at burned down. Bea is appalled and claims Ndidi is stealing her customers. Catia is cool and collected as Ndidi who relishes this opportunity to grow her business. Gilmore’s Bea is glamorous, feisty, candid and frank as she shares the know-it-all vision she had of running this salon…if her plans had not gone awry.
Customers and designers alike confide their stories and struggles as hair braiding is quite an extensive process handled expertly under Williams’ meticulous direction. This animated group holds compelling conversations, support each other, dance joyously, share juicy gossip, fight over the television remote and quietly tolerate what it is to be in customer service.
Ashley Aldarondo and Yasmeen Duncan champion multiple roles as customers, each distinctive and range from delightfully gleeful to intolerably fussy as designers force a smile across their lips and a poker face in numerous relatable scenarios. It was particularly wonderful to watch Duncan pose and twirl teasingly in the mirror with her new Beyonce braids. Joshua Olumide encapsulates various roles from diligent socks salesman to turning up the charm as a promising love interest and a philandering husband.
Vivid pinks, oranges and greens are only a fraction of costumer Danielle Domingue Sumi’s bold tones and stylish African patterns lending to each character’s vibrant personalities. Although these characters shine as individuals, the most fascinating moments come from their collective reactions from playful and horrified looks to synchronized cheers as this important day unfolds.
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding has its share of twists and turns, tackling societal and community issues including up to date matters of immigration. However, is also hopeful production that demonstrates the tight bond among this lively cast offering unwavering support, especially in the face of immense challenges.
SpeakEasy Stage Company continues Jocelyn Bioh’s Jaja’s African Hair Braiding through Saturday, May 31 at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts. This production is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.