J.L. Williams, the cast member of the upcoming Broadway musical Shuffle Along who went missing for four days before winding up in a New York hospital over Valentine's Day weekend, is no longer associated with that show, but is planning to tell his story in his own New York song-and-dance showcase this May.
Tap Soul Productions will host The JL Show, an original tap dance and soul music concert, May 17-22 at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street in Manhattan. Williams is creator and songwriter and star of the show. According to production notes, “The show features original music, singing and, of course, lots of tapping to tell a tale about resilience, redemption and perseverance with big hearts and big sounds.”
Producers issued a statement saying, “He has recovered swiftly, is doing well since being out of the hospital over a month ago, has taken a retreat to Playa del Carmen, Mexico and is looking forward to returning to the stage in the spring.”
Arrangements for the show are by Ian Jesse. Music director Coyote Anderson is featured on guitar with David Cornejo on drums, Carl Limbacher on bass, Dorian Wallace on keyboard with background vocals by LaDonna Burns and Gia McGlone.
Tickets, priced $20-$27, can be purchased at Tapsoul.eventbrite.com or on the show's official website, Tapsoulpro.com/events.
Williams had failed to show up at the Music Box Theatre February 10, but cast members confirmed that the actor was located and was recovering in the hospital as of February 14. Williams posted the following message on his official Facebook page February 17:
I want to thank everyone for their thoughts, concerns, messages, calls, and texts. I am OK and looking forward to sharing my story soon. God bless you all!
Posted by JL Williams on Wednesday, February 17, 2016
The actor's mother also posted that her son had been found and thanked those who helped in his safe return.
Shuffle Along cast member Adrienne Warren tweeted the following:
THANK YOU!!! For all of your assistance in helping us get the word out! JL WILLIAMS has been FOUND and is recovering in a NYC hospital!!
— Adrienne Warren (@adriennelwarren) February 14, 2016
Numerous members of the Broadway community, including Shuffle Along star Audra McDonald, shared posts on social media in an effort to locate the missing 33-year-old actor, whose legal name is Jeffrey "JL" Williams. He did not report for rehearsals the morning of February 10.
This is our beloved cast member JL. Please read & share if you can. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/YOW83rBeKg
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) February 14, 2016
She later tweeted following his safe return.
So grateful our dear cast member JL has been found. This is a beautiful Valentines day indeed! Thank you for all of the RT's & good thoughts
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) February 14, 2016
Williams also appeared on Broadway in Fela!
