Review: AFTER MIDNIGHT, Signature Theatre (Online)

Photo credit: Christopher Mueller

It is a hundred years since the dawn of the “Harlem Renaissance,” a cultural movement in African-American music and literature which celebrated Black voices as they had never been celebrated before. As such, After Midnight not only showcases the glorious music of the era, but also attempts to distil the essence of “Harlem”- not so much a place as a state of mind.

This show is the fourth in the Signature Features series from Signature Theatre, and it is an outright triumph. It features Broadway star (and Tony Award nominee) Christopher Jackson in a song and dance spectacular that brings to life the thriving jazz scene of the ‘20s and ‘30s. The music is punctuated by brief spoken-word fragments excerpted from the work of poet Langston Hughes, which add moments of reflection amid the joyful effervescence. 

After Midnight boasts infectious melodies and fluid choreography, not to mention uniformly wonderful performances from a gifted ensemble (kudos to director Jared Grimes for marshalling all that raw talent into a cohesive experience). The whole show is an embarrassment of riches that sweeps you along from beginning to end, but among the many standouts are Nova Y. Payton’s renditions of old favourites ‘Stormy Weather’ and ‘I Can’t Give You Anything But Love’ Among the other highlights include ‘Ain’t it the Truth’, ‘The Gal from Joe’s’ and the triumphant finale of ‘Take the ‘A’ Train’. But really, there are too many to mention in the short space of a single review.

The compositions of legendary jazz figures like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway are given a new lease of life thanks to the wonderfully versatile orchestra led by music director Mark G. Meadows. The musicians get a particular showcase on ‘Black and Tan Fantasy’ and ‘Rockin’ in Rhythm’. But one of the many great things about After Midnight is that it’s very much an ensemble piece that gives each performer a chance to shine.

After Midnight is a testament to the transcendental power of theatre, and a reminder of what we have been missing during the prolonged closures of the past year and a half. It just oozes joie-de-vivre, and is the very definition of a feel-good show. To borrow a phrase from Langston Hughes himself: “Birthing is hard, dying is mean, so get yourself some dancing in between.”

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Tom Mead

After Midnight is now streaming until 4 August. To book, please click here.