On Kentucky Avenue is a party you don't want to miss!" -Tony® Nominee, Maurice Hines
CREATED BY JEREE WADE
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)