By Barry Willis
A hot day in Harlem is the setting for Jocelyn Bioh’s Tony-nominated Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at Berkeley Rep’s Peet’s Theatre. The incisive ensemble comedy runs through December 15.
Delightfully written and beautifully performed, this Whitney White-directed one-act is both a lovingly hilarious depiction of a small slice of life in an African immigrant community and a cautionary tale about their plight. Performed by an almost entirely female cast, the show is both an examination of relationships among an assertive group of mostly West Africans and a handful of New York City natives.
A deservedly standing-ovation performance, its story is both unique and universal. People always come together around a common interest, an occurrence that almost always results in disagreements and in-fighting. So it is for the workers and clients at Jaja’s – they bicker and snipe at each other, hijack each other’s customers, and complain tremendously about nearly everything, but we never doubt for an instant that they are united. It’s a simply gorgeous and stunningly well-paced show.
And it’s one that, having been covered in detail elsewhere, probably doesn’t need further analysis from us other than to give it our highest recommendation. Do not miss this great production!
Ticket information: berkeleyrep.org
AND IN CLOSING…..
This is almost certainly one of the final posts to Aisle Seat Review.
We have worked long and hard to cover the performing arts in the Bay Area and we thank all our loyal readers, and the entire theater community that has been so supportive over the past 9-plus years ASR has been in publication. We hope that we have been supportive in return.
We wish to thank all our contributors – Sue Morgan, Cari Lynn Pace, Woody Weingarten, Susan Dunn, Jeff Dunn, Mitchell Field, George Maguire, and Nicole Singley.
Above all, we wish to thank ASR owner and publisher Kris Neely for his tireless work and devotion to this site over its long lifespan. Thank you, Kris!
See you at the theater!
Sincerely,
Barry Willis
Executive Editor, ASR Theater
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