'DJEMBE! The Show' makes U.S. debut at Apollo Theater, beginning March 19

BANG A DRUM.  FEEL THE PASSION. ALL TOGETHER NOW!

FRESH, NEW INTERACTIVE THEATRICAL EVENT

DJEMBE! THE SHOW

MAKES U.S. DEBUT AT CHICAGO’S APOLLO THEATER

IN LIMITED ENGAGEMENT, BEGINNING MARCH 19, 2019

 

A drum on every seat invites audiences to play along on this ‘joyous musical journey’

led by Broadway and Chicago talent!

(January 22, 2019) Following a smash-hit international tour, the new, interactive theatrical event, DJEMBE! The Show, makes its U.S. debut at the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago), for a strictly limited engagement starting performances on March 19, 2019 (with an official premiere on Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m.). DJEMBE! (JEM-bay) will engage audiences in a high-energy program of powerful storytelling and inspiring music, including iconic pop hits. Leading this lively musical journey will be the trio of Broadway talent Ben Hope (Once) as Emcee; critically-acclaimed Chicago musical theater artist Rashada Dawan (Caroline, or Change) on lead vocals; and Guinean master drummer and folklorist Fodé Lavia Camara, backed by an ensemble of world-class musicians.

 

DJEMBE! was originally created by British artist and social entrepreneur Doug Manuel and is co-written by Manuel and Director West Hyler (Jersey Boys, Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour on Broadway, iLuminate, Big Apple Circus). 

 

The accomplished creative team includes Tony Award™-winner Todd Rosenthal (Scenic Design), Obie Award™-winner Montana Levi Blanco (Costumes), Zach Blane (Lighting), Ray Nardelli (Sound), Resean Davonte Johnson (Projections), and musician and storyteller Seckou Keita (Lead African Artist).

 

This U.S. debut is proudly presented by Ashley DeSimone Productions in partnership with TSG Theatricals.

 

“Upon seeing this show, I was immediately reminded of how I felt at Blue Man Group when that show first launched: exhilarated, transported, alive.  DJEMBE! is an uplifting journey that I think individuals, friends and families all want to experience right now.  Audiences can choose to interact musically with our storytellers, which is surprisingly fun and also unique,” said DeSimone.  “We are delighted to have our initial U.S. home be in Chicago.”

 

Added Manuel, “What’s particularly exciting is the transformative nature of the experience when there are more than four hundred people in the audience playing music together. Versions of DJEMBE! have already been used by companies including Google, McDonald’s, IBM, Nestle, and Procter & Gamble to illustrate the importance of collaboration and community.  World-class entertainment, but with an important message.  One of our biggest fans is Oprah Winfrey, who chose DJEMBE! to open one of her OWN SuperSoul sessions!”

Lead cast bios:

 

Ben Hope (Emcee) made his Broadway debut in 2012 as the original replacement for the lead role in the Tony Award-winning musical Once. He has also traveled the world playing such notable musical greats as Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Woody Guthrie, and Johnny Cash, among other more traditional musical theatre roles. Hope is the leader of the NYC-based honky-tonk band Ben Hope & The Uptown Outfit and is honored to be among these incredibly talented musicians for his debut in Chicago area theater.

 

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Rashada Dawan (Vocalist) toured for four years with Disney's The Lion King Las Vegas company and in the Gazelle National Tour as Shenzi (affectionately known as "the Whoopi Goldberg hyena"). Other credits include: Caroline, or Change (Firebrand Theatre), Elf (Paramount), A Red Line Runs Through It (Second City), The Nutcracker (Lincolnshire Marriott), Aida (MUNY), Big River (Boho Theatre), Once On This Island (Yellow Alligator Theatre), TV/Film: The Red Line (CBS), Proven Innocent (Fox), Empire (Fox), Easy (Netflix)   

 

Fodé Lavia Camara (Lead djembe drummer) is a master drummer, folklorist, percussionist and choreographer who exemplifies the new generation in the preservation of West African traditions and the influence of these traditions on the world. Among his performance credits, in 2000, after an international search, Camara was recruited to Senegal’s Ballets D’Afrique Noire for a 32-city tour of the United States as lead drummer in a production entitled Mandinka Epic. He teaches annually at Kumandi African Drum and Dance Camp and tours nationally and internationally as an instructor, choreographer, and guest artist. 

 

DJEMBE! The Show will be performed at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, in a strictly limited engagement, March 19 - June 2, 2019: Tuesdays - Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., with matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

 

Tickets range in price from $39.00 - $69.00 and are now on sale at www.djembetheshow.com, the Apollo Theater box office, phone (773) 935-6100, and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Enjoy special pricing in the first week of preview performances (March 19-24) when all tickets are priced at $39.00. DJEMBE! The Show is enjoyable for all ages; single ticket discounts are available for students and seniors. Discounts for groups of 10 or more are available through Group Theater Tix, (312) 423-6612, www.grouptheatertix.com.

The Apollo Theater, located in the heart of Chicago’s Lincoln Park, has been home to many of the city’s biggest hits including, most recently, Million Dollar Quartet, which became the longest-running Broadway musical in Chicago history. Recently renovated and fully accessible, the Apollo Theater’s intimate 435-seat mainstage continues to deliver world-class theater as one of the city’s premiere off-Loop houses.

 

Ashley DeSimone runs her namesake producing office, Ashley DeSimone Productions, where she brings new plays and musicals to the stage, and manages Fortune Theatrical Ventures, an investment portfolio focused on global live entertainment projects for clients and theater fans who want to own what they love. DeSimone has produced theater on Broadway, Off Broadway, in the West End, at U.S. regional theaters and in markets all over the world.  www.ashleydesimoneproductions.com

 

The Seelig Group (“TSG”) is a private media and entertainment investment, production and advisory firm which manages both TSG Theatricals and TSG Entertainment. TSG Theatricals is a production company that acquires, develops, produces, and presents a broad portfolio of live entertainment for international markets. Since 2012, TSG Entertainment has been the exclusive co-financing partner of 20^th Century Fox, resulting in a library of 90+ films. TSG Theatricals is managed by Chip Seelig, Jovan Hannah, and Ophelia Chua.    

 

Foresight Theatrical is an industry leader in general management services for Broadway and touring productions. Foresight has managed some of the most famous shows of all time, including Les Misérables, Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark and the longest-running production in Broadway history, The Phantom of the Opera.  In addition, the current roster of productions includes the Tony Award-winning Kinky Boots in London and Australia, The Band's Visit, The Lifespan of a Fact, King Kong, The Prom, Girl From The North Country at The Public Theater and Moulin Rouge!

 

For more information on DJEMBE! The Show, please visit https://djembetheshow.com/.