It’s exciting to see all the elements of a play come together so seamlessly, especially when tackling African themes and representation. In Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Whitney White, Arena Stage has hit the mark.
Walking into Kreeger Theater, you’re greeted by the pulsating beats of Davido’s Afrobeat hit “Fall” (“Banana fall on you / Prada fall on you…”) — a clear sign that the night is sure to be an entertaining one. Set in a single day at a Harlem hair braiding shop, the play features hair braiders Marie, Bea, Miriam, Aminata, Ndidi, and Jaja, hailing from Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, and Sierra Leone. Through their arguments and discussions with themselves, clients, and guests, they reveal struggles, desires, and sacrifices tied to the African immigrant experience in America, first-generation and dreamers included. Though there is no one defining African immigrant story, there are some commonalities most can relate to.
Naming the stars of this show would mean listing the entire cast. Melanie Brezill dazzles as a client requesting Lemonade braids, dressed in denim booty shorts and knee-high boots. Colby N. Muhammad excels as a finicky, tender-headed client, while Yao Dogbe shines in several roles including as a jewelry hawker and a two-timing husband. Every performer — Tiffany Renee Johnson, Mia Ellis, Aisha Sougou, Bisserat Tseggai — is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and each entirely embodies their character archetype (some playing multiple roles).
Standouts include Awa Sal Secka, whose portrayal of Bea, the quintessential African aunty, is nothing short of brilliant. Clad in a traditional skirt and blouse, a curly red wig, and red shoes and bag to match, she has something to say about everybody and does not shy away from confrontation. In fact, she looks for it and sometimes gets it served back to her. Her African-aunty theatrics are right on the nose — she faints, she yells, she gossips, yet Secka’s Bea is both respectable and endearing, evolving into the group’s backbone when trouble arises.
Victoire Charles’ dramatic entrance as Jaja in a mermaid wedding dress with sleeves and gold-rimmed veil is a theatrical high point. Despite a brief and somewhat speechy role, Charles drives the narrative forward toward a sudden turn of events with powerful lines about her own assimilation struggles. Jordan Rice as Marie, Jaja’s daughter, skillfully embodies a first-generation American burdened with her parents’ high expectations and even higher stakes as a dreamer.
Additional highlights include lively dance breaks and money spraying, the humorous Nollywood meme “Why are you running?”, and a soundtrack featuring Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, and Kizz Daniel. It’s surprising that the ever-popular jollof wars don’t make an appearance.
Jocelyn Bioh, known for her insightful exploration of identity, race, and ethnic experiences, has crafted a play that feels authentic and engaging. This is not always easy to pull off, especially when it comes to accessing cultural materials, clothing, props, and accents (shout out to dialect and vocal coach Yetunde Felix-Ukwu, who has done an exceptional job!). Credit for this production’s success also goes to the talented team behind Jaja’s Broadway run, including director Whitney White, set designer David Zinn (Tony Award winner), costume designer Dede Ayite (Tony Award winner), lighting designer Jiyoun Chang, original music and sound designer Justin Ellington, and hair and wig designer Nikiya Mathis (Tony Award winner).
Their combined expertise has reproduced this exceptional production in Washington, DC, proving that when it comes to theater, this team truly knows how to make a lasting impression, anywhere.
Running Time: One hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission.
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding plays through October 13, 2024, in the Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC. Tickets may be obtained online, by phone at 202-488-3300, or in person at the Sales Office (Tuesday-Sunday, 12-8 p.m.). Arena Stage offers savings programs including “pay your age” tickets for those aged 35 and under, student discounts, and “Southwest Nights” for those living and working in the District’s Southwest neighborhood. To learn more, visit arenastage.org/savings-programs.
The program for Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is downloadable here.
COVID Safety: Arena Stage recommends but does not require that patrons wear facial masks in theaters except in designated mask-required performances (Saturday, September 14, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m.). For up-to-date information, visit arenastage.org/safety.
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
A Manhattan Theater Club production
By Jocelyn Bioh
Directed by Whitney White
A Co-Production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theater
In Association with Madison Wells Live and LaChanze
