The rising genre of urban
theater continues to steamroll its way into major metropolitan areas across
the country, now adding Jerry Roebucks’ “Harlem Coffee Shop”
to the growing roster of musical stage plays.
The musical play stars pioneering
rapper Christopher “Play” Martin, who rose to fame in the late 80’s
and early 90’s as a member of the Hip-Hop group Kid-N-Play.
Incorporating soul-stirring
numbers with colorful, and often outrageous, adaptations of everyday life, “Harlem”
invites viewers to visit the recently added neighborhood meeting place, alive
with the drama of the people who know it best.
The story follows the franchise’s
owner, Anthony, (Darrin Dewitt Henson of “Soul Food” fame) as he
attempts to entertain the likes of the local street hustler, the nosy cashier,
and two aging “regulars” in his popular establishment.
Soon, the idealistic entrepreneur
finds himself focusing more attention toward his thriving business, than on
his personal life.
“Harlem” sticks
to the tried and true formula of featuring former recording artists and television
celebrities with Martin, R&B vocalist Mike Howard,
Michael Varian (“The Sopranos”) and Vondecarlo Brown (“Temptation
Island”) rounding out the ensemble.
The show kicks off its spring/summer
season at the Liacouras Theater in Philadelphia, Friday, May 20.
As a member of Kid-N-Play,
Martin experienced widespread success with the “House Party” franchise
of movies, as well as the classic comedy, “Class Act.”
Martin took a seven-year
hiatus from the music business and left the secular music business for the gospel
world.
Martin currently serves,
as CEO of HP4 Digital Works, a video/film production and entertainment company.
The company produced the
Grammy nominated gospel compilation, Takin Gospel to the Streets” Vol.
1.
For more show dates and
locations, visit www.harlemcoffeeshop.com
