Reviews are in for Grammy nominee Somi Kakoma's Dreaming Zenzile, which opened at Off-Broadway's New York Theatre Workshop June 1. Co-produced with National Black Theatre, the run began previews May 17, and is scheduled through June 26.
Kakoma's work follows South African music artist and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba, delving into her work, the ways she connected with people in the moment, and the ancestors who called to her. Kakoma leads the cast as Makeba, with Aaron Marcellus, Naledi Masilo, and Phumzile Sojola as Sangoma Chorus. 2022 Tony nominee Lileana Blain-Cruz directs the production.
Read the reviews here.
New York Stage Review (David Finkle)
New York Theatre Guide (Gillian Russo)
New York Times (Alexis Soloski)
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
Blain-Cruz leads the creative team which includes fellow 2022 Tony-nominated lighting designer Yi Zhao, who also worked with Blain-Cruz on Broadway's The Skin of Our Teeth, and sound designer Justin Ellington. They are joined by scenic designer Riccardo Hernandez, costume designer Mimi Plange, projection designer Hannah Wasileski, choreographer Marjorie Forté-Saunders, dramaturg Talvin Wilks, and music director Hervé Samb. Abigail jean-baptiste is the associate director, and Egypt Dixon is the stage manager.
Also featured is the production's band starring Toru Dodo on piano, Pathé Jassi on bass, Hervé Samb on guitar, and Sheldon Thwaites on percussion. The musicians will play original music as well as interpretations of Makeba's catalog.
For tickets, visit NYTW.org.
