Written by Kevin Armento and C.A. Johnson
Directed by Jaki Bradley* 
Music Supervision by Marcus Miller
Created by Kevin Armento and Jaki Bradley*

April 18 – May 18, 2019
Theater 511 | 511 W. 54th St

Ya’ll heard the good news? Mosey on over to midtown cuz we got a time portal to brassy old New Orleans, where the sound was born. What sound? Better come find out! Step into our jazz hall and watch your cares melt away, while we conjure up the spirit of Buddy Bolden, the cat that blew that cornet you could hear for blocks. This here’s a play slash brass band concert slash explosive theatrical dance party that’ll leave you sweaty and hot and feelin’ them feels, as we riff on Buddy’s story just like he riffed on dem notes!

“Boisterous, joyous, and endearingly messy. Equal parts play, concert and dance party.” – New York Times

“Joyful, exciting, and funny. The performers are all solid. The music is fabulous. Playing Hot is an invigorating theatrical experience.” – Pop Culturalist

“So unexpected yet joyful. Exciting. Incredible. A revelation. By tracing a straight line from slave ships to Ms. Ross, Billie Holiday, and Beyoncé, Playing Hot makes us confront America’s violent past, while we’re tapping our feet.” – Scenes in Color

“Playing Hot managed to celebrate and riff on elements of Bolden’s life (“the way Bolden riffed on songs,” Armento said) without ever taking itself too seriously. Instead, a contagious sense of bonhomie and enthusiasm was generated by its large ensemble of actors, musicians, and dancers.” – Salmagundi Magazine

Featuring: Fernando Contreras*, Dante Jeanfelix, Roi King, Emma Meltzer, Cristina Pitter*, Linton Smith II, Monique St. Cyr, Eric R. Williams

Band: Darrian Douglas, Jovan Johnson, Jeffery Miller, Marcus Miller, Peter Nelson, Khrys Williams

Set Designer: Jason Sherwood
Lighting Designer: Stacey Derosier
Costume Designer: Haydee Zelideth
Sound Designer: Jim Petty, 5 Ohm
Props Designer: Toria Sterling
Choreographer: Shernita Anderson
Casting Director: Stephanie Yankwitt & Margaret Dunn, TBD Casting

Stage Manager: Kristy Bodall*
Assistant Stage Manager: Christy Perez
Production Supervisor: Jes Levine
Production Manager: Kris Opperman
Assistant Production Manager: John Rodríguez  
Associate Director: Charlotte Murray
Production Assistant: Acacia Drake

Press Representation: Matt Ross PR
Advertising: Caolan Hunter
Digital Media: Ben Nissen & Tina Wargo
Photography: Suzi Sadler & Marcus Middleton
Graphic Design: Heather Poole

*Member of the Pipeline Ensemble

Playing Hot received developmental support as part of the 2016 Artist Residency Program of The Drama League of New York (Roger T. Danforth, Artistic Director, Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director, funded in part by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust) and through The Habitat Theater Company’s Directors Playground. Playing Hot was the recipient of a 2015 Jerome Travel and Study Grant.