(RAHWAY, NJ) -- During the decades before the casinos took over Atlantic City - when nightclubbing was in vogue with gorgeous showgirls, zany comedians, great singers and dancers and fashionable audiences, the hot spot and place to be seen was Club Harlem on the musical street named Kentucky Avenue. Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) presents On Kentucky Avenue, a critically acclaimed celebration of Atlantic City's famed Club Harlem, on October 17 at 8:00pm at the Hamilton Stage for the Performing Arts.
Music flowed from clubs on both sides of Kentucky Avenue from Memorial Day through Labor Day and the most famous of these clubs was Club Harlem, thought of as the "Black Copacabana," because it featured the major black talent of the era performing in spectacular musical shows and revues.
On Kentucky Avenue takes place on a single day and night during the Club Harlem dress rehearsal for opening night of the 1969 season. The show features an original score true to the era, interspersed with classic songs from the Sixties, and depicts a love triangle between the emcee, the lead showgirl and the featured female singer. The production was created by Jeree Wade and directed by Adam Wade and is based on their experiences performing there during different eras 30 years apart. Jeree Wade makes a special appearance as "Damita Jo," a frequent guest at the club. The show is choreographed by Ty Stephens, who co-stars with Cheryl Freeman and Andricka Hall. Lee Summers portrays comedian "Slappy Black," modeled after real-life comedian Slappy White, who performed frequently at Club Harlem. On Kentucky Avenue is produced by Wade and Wade Productions, Songbirds Unlimited Productions and Robert Blume of Step Forward Entertainment. Jazz producing legend Cobi Narita is associate producer.
Tickets are $22.50 and can be purchased by calling the UCPAC box office at 732-499-8226 or visiting the website at www.ucpac.org. UCPAC's Hamilton Stage is located at 360 Hamilton Street in the heart of Rahway's Arts District and is easily accessible to major roads and public transportation.
