HISTORY OF CLUB HARLEM "ON KENTUCKY AVENUE"

 

There was  once  a Magical Musical street in Atlantic City called KENTUCKY AVENUE on the North Side of Town. Tucked right in the middle of Kentucky Avenue and reigning supreme was the CLUB HARLEM. On either side were other smaller clubs , as well as great eating establishments. It was a wonderful street in a wonderful time. Club Harlem opened in 1935  soon to be taken over by two brothers, Pops and Cliff Williams. It then became Clifton’s Club Harlem.

 

Going into the 40’s, the club blossomed as the Premier night spot for black entertainment in the country. It was one of the best kept secrets and yet one of the most famous night clubs in the country.  In the 40’s 50’s and 60’s it was the hottest “Chittlin Circuit” Club…only it was not a little spot ... but a beautifully designed Art Deco night club, complete with a maître’d and red velvet banquettes. Everyone, white and black, dressed up to the nines to go to the show, which was produced by Larry Steele, and called "Larry Steele’s Smart Affairs". Live, fast paced, black entertainment was in its heyday. The 11 pm show featured Larry Steele’s Smart Affairs with his beautiful showgirls, a comic, a tap dancer and the main act and, of course,a beautiful chorus line. Another show began at 3am and the Breakfast Show, the most popular, was staged at 6am, with pretzels and wine. don't ever have to come  that early in the morning!  We sure are asking you to sit back, relax and celebrate the Fictionalized Fantasy of the Famed Club Harlem on Atlantic City's Kentucky Avenue.

 

 

 

CREDITS


Adam Wade, Robert R. Blume and Peter Martin
in association with Cobi Narita
PRESENT

ON KENTUCKY AVENUE
A CELEBRATION OF ATLANTIC CITY'S FAMED CLUB HARLEM
Created by Jeree Wade

Starring
Ty Stephens

Count Stovall

N'Kenge

Andricka Hall


Featuring 

Lee Summers as Comedian 'Slappy Black'

Special appearance by

Jeree Wade as 'Damita Jo'

Also appearing (in alphabetical order)
Donna Clark
Brian Davis
Mindy Haywood
Valton Jackson

Garrett Turner
Cassandra Palacio

Tiffany Webb


The 'HOT' On Stage Band features

Richard Cummings Jr. - Musical Director/Piano

 -Synthesizer
Wilbur Bascomb - Bass
David Silliman  - Drums 
- Guitar 

Original  Musical  -Director Frank Owens


Director
Lee Summers

 

Original Director

Adam Wade

Choreographer
Ty Stephens

​

Associate Choreographer

Donna Clark

Swing Dance Choreography 
Mickey Davidson
Associate Choreographer
Donna Clark

 

Dance Captain

Cassandra Palacio

Executive Production Manager
Pearl Williams

 

Production Stage Manager

Bayo

 

Sound and Lighting Engineer

Bill Toles


Original Music by
Ty Stephens
Frank Owens
Branice McKenzie
Wilbur Bascomb
Adam Wade
Jeree Wade

Showgirl Consultant
Betty Jo (Original Club Harlem showgirl)

Creative Consultant
Adam Wade

Costumes created by
Ty Stephens
Pearl Williams

Musical Direction by
Richard Cummings Jr.

Musical Supervisor
Wilbur Bascomb

Music Archivist/Conductor
Richard Cummings Jr.

Set by
The Company and City College

Original Lighting & Sound Design by
Shannon Epstein

 

 

 

 

MUSIC

 

THE ORIGINAL MATERIAL

 

On Kentucky Avenue

(Frank Owens & Ty Stephens)

 

Please Sign In

(Ty Stephens)

 

This World is Mine

(Ty Stephens)

 

AC Stomp

(Frank Owens)

 

The Prettiest Girl In the World

(F. Owens, T. Stephens, Branice McKenzie, J. Wade)  

 

Hit it and Quit It

(Ty Stephens & Wilbur Bascomb)

 

The Hat

(Wilbur Bascomb)

 

If You're the Man

(Wilbur Bascomb & Ty Stephens)

 

Whole Lotta Pretty

(Ty Stephens)

​

I Want

(Wilbur Bascomb)

 

And If I Tell You I Love You

(Ty Stephens and Frank Owens)

 

I'm Yours

(Frank Owens and Ty Stephens)

 

Rio Samba

(Ty Stephens and Frank Owens)

 

Step On It

(Wilbur Bascomb)

 

 

 

 THE MUSIC OF THE SIXTIES

 

Shiny Stockings

(Frank Foster)

 

Am I The Same Girl / Soulful Strut

(Young, Holt)

 

I've Been Loving You Too Long / I Can't Turn You Loose

(Jerry Butler & Otis Redding)

 

You're Nobody Till Somebody 

(Stock, Morgan and Cavanaugh)

 

Rescue Me

(Raynard Miner and Carl William Smith)

 

Respect

(Otis Redding)

 

The Name Game

(Shirley Ellis & Lincoln Chase)

 

Do You Love Me?

(Berry Gordy)

 

Shout

(Isley Brothers)

 

Neither One of Us

(Jim Weatherly)

 

Old Black Magic 

(Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer)