Today, it was announced that Cotton Club Parade, after two engagements at Center City, will be heading a few blocks over to “Great White Way.” Cotton Club Parade is a musical revue of jazz music set during 1920’s and 30’s. Utilizing the music of Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen and Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields, Cotton Club Parade transports you back to the era of famed Harlem Nightclub, The Cotton Club, during Ellington’s heyday. The 2012 run starred Carmen Ruby Floyd, Joshua Henry, Adriane Lenox, and Amber Riley. With songs like “Creole Call Love” and “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” this was one show that was not to be missed. Conceived by Jack Viertel, the previous two engagements have been directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle. Wynton Marsalis, artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and famed trumpeter, has served as musical director. At this time, they have yet to announce any of the cast or creative team for their venture to Broadway.
But the question that everybody wants to know is will Joshua Henry and Amber Riley be reprising their roles? With Henry heading to Lifetime’s Army Wives as a reoccurring character, he might have to sit this one out. However, Riley has mentioned that she would like to tackle Broadway and this might be her ticket to do that.
Checkout the highlight reel of the 2012 production of Cotton Club Parade.
