Harlem

REVIEW:  Learning through a child’s eyes in Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theatre’s ‘Kufre and Quay’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Imagining your first day in a new place can bring excitement, anxiousness and dread.

However, Kufre is optimistic his first day will be wonderful as he arrives from Nigeria to his new home in Inwood, New Jersey.  He daydreams about all the friends he will make and how much everyone will like him when he starts at a Harlem Youth Center in Harlem, New York.  However, things do not turn out quite like he imagines. 

Insightfully directed by John Adekoje, Boston Arts Academy with Wheelock Family Theatre continues the world premiere of Mfoniso Udofia‘s Kufre and Quay, the fifth production in the Ufot’s  nine-play family cycle which features three Ufot Nigerian-American family generations, live and in person at Boston Arts Academy in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday. July 26.  This bilingual production runs approximately two hours with one intermission and boasts open captions that come in handy during the performance.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Levi Mngomezulu in Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theatre’s production of Kufre n’ Quay by Mfoniso Udofia, directed by John Oluwole ADEkoje. Running July 10 – July 26, 2025 at Boston Arts Academy Main Stage Theatre (174 Ipswich St, Boston, MA 02215). Photo credit Annielly Camargo.

Having seen Ufot’s second production The Grove and the fourth production Her Portmanteau, it was wonderful to see the progression in the Ufot Family after watching things from Iniabasi’s perspective in Her Portmanteau and seeing things through her son’s eyes in this production.  However, you can witness and enjoy this production without watching the others.

Lighting designer Karen Perlow with Projection designer Justin Lahue innovatively lay out in multiple strips that elegantly reveal black and white photos of Harlem to framed family photos to the solar system to subtle streams to the green landscape of Nigeria.  Cliff Notez’s rich and catchy sound also contributes to the transformative quality and cultural aesthetic of this production in daydreams and reality.

The cast of Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theatre’s production of Kufre n’ Quay by Mfoniso Udofia, directed by John Oluwole ADEkoje. Running July 10 – July 26, 2025 at Boston Arts Academy Main Stage Theatre (174 Ipswich St, Boston, MA 02215). Photo credit Annielly Camargo.

It’s the hottest day of the year on Sunday, July 21, 2018 and Levi Mngomezulu as 12 year-old Kufre, the son of Iniabasi Ekpeyong and grandson of Abasiama Ufot, is adorable right from the start.  Bright eyed and charming, Mngomezulu as Kufre doesn’t realize the kind of impression he will make on the other kids and along with Ayannah Joseph as Aissatou, they have their own ideas about this new boy from Nigeria.  Until Kufre meets Ngolela Kamanampata as warm and theatre loving 13 year-old Laquasha Price or ‘Quay’ and under the guidance of Jalyse Ware as counselor Miss Ey Yo Miss, Kufre has encountered more challenges than he ever expected. 

Jackie Davis, Levi Mngomezulu, and Ramona Lisa Alexander in Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theatre’s
production of Kufre n’ Quay by Mfoniso Udofia, directed by John Oluwole ADEkoje. Running July 10 – July 26, 2025
at Boston Arts Academy Main Stage Theatre (174 Ipswich St, Boston, MA 02215). Photo credit Annielly Camargo.

Jalyse Ware beautifully portrays compassionate counselor Miss Ey Yo Miss, who helps to run Harlem’s The Zone Youth Center.  As this production does, Miss Ey Yo Miss uses theatre though a talent show to establish connection and navigates this youth group with clever finesse.  Composed of Zay Williams, Selah Thande, Jedrian Latimore, Ezra Schwartz-Bart, Londyn Lacy, Shai-Anne Neufville, Ja’Mon Johnson and Ayannah Joseph, the group shares a real rapport with each other as individuals and as a collective as they speak over one another and make humorous comments as they embark on new activities. 

Ngolela Kamanampata and Levi Mngomezulu (in foreground) in Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theatre’s production of Kufre n’ Quay by Mfoniso Udofia, directed by John Oluwole ADEkoje. Running July 10 – July 26, 2025 at Boston Arts Academy Main Stage Theatre (174 Ipswich St, Boston, MA 02215). Photo credit Annielly Camargo.

Kamanampata is delightful as Quay as she attempts to bring Mngomezulu as Kufre out of his shell, especially demonstrated in an imaginative theatre activity that Kufre is hesitant to learn.

Ramona Lisa Alexander as Iniabasi Ekpeyong and Jackie Davis as Abasiama Ufot both deliver powerful performances as they discover more about Kufre and his experiences at the Zone.

Kufre and Quay is a moving coming of age tale that gradually increases in intensity, especially in the second act.  It tackles language, misunderstandings, cultural disconnect, and how each generation affects another while discovering new ways to relate and grow together.

Levi Mngomezulu and Ngolela Kamanampata in Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theatre’s production of Kufre n’ Quay by Mfoniso Udofia, directed by John Oluwole ADEkoje. Running July 10 – July 26, 2025 at Boston Arts Academy Main Stage Theatre (174 Ipswich St, Boston, MA 02215). Photo credit Annielly Camargo.

Boston Arts Academy with Wheelock Family Theatre continues the world premiere of Mfoniso Udofia‘s Kufre and Quay, the fifth production in the Ufot’s  nine-play family cycle which features three Ufot Nigerian-American family generations, live and in person at Boston Arts Academy in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday. July 26. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  A lively cast highlights SpeakEasy Stage Company’s ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

‘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.

From left: Dru Sky Berrian, MarHadoo Effeh, Kwezi Shongwe, and Crystin Gilmore Photo by Nile Scott Studios

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.

From left: Dru Sky Berrian and MaConnia Chesser Photo by Nile Scott Studios

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. 

From left: (foreground) Crystin Gilmore, Dru Sky Berrian, and Catia. (Background) MarHadoo Effeh, Hampton Richards and Kwezi Shongwe Photo by Nile Scott Studios

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. 

From left: Catia and Yasmeen Duncan Photo by Nile Scott Studios

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.

From left: MarHadoo Effeh and Hampton Richards Photo by Nile Scott Studios

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.

The cast of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding Photo by Nile Scott Studios

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.