Modernized Five Guys Named Moe "Let the Good Times Roll" at Arena Stage | Playbill

News Modernized Five Guys Named Moe "Let the Good Times Roll" at Arena Stage Five Guys Named Moe, a reimagined version of the tribute to the "King of the Jukebox" composer and saxophonist Louis Jordan, begins performances at Arena Stage Nov. 14 prior to an official opening Nov. 20.

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Paris Nix Photo by Tony Powell

The production, which features music and lyrics by Jordan and a book by Clarke Peters, will continue through Dec. 28 in the Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage.

Directed by Robert O'Hara, the cast features Sheldon Henry (South Pacific, Dreamgirls) as Big Moe, Kevin McAllister (Violet, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) as Nomax, Paris Nix (Seussical, Once on This Island) as Eat Moe, Jobari Parker-Namdar (My Fair Lady, Showboat) as No Moe, Travis Porchia (Hairspray, The Color Purple) as Four-Eyed Moe and Clinton Roane (The Scottsboro Boys, My One and Only) as Little Moe.

Here's how the production is billed: "The boys are back in town, with a brand new look: bigger, bolder and badder than ever. Classics like 'Let the Good Times Roll' and 'Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby' have been remixed for an explosive, re-imagined tribute to 'King of the Jukebox' Louis Jordan. Led by the fearless mind that stunned audiences with Bootycandy, director Robert O'Hara (The Mountaintop) is back at Arena Stage. Come and dance the blues away with Eat Moe, No Moe, Four-Eyed Moe, Big Moe and Little Moe, as big band meets boy band in this dynamic, dazzling musical revue."

"As with One Night with Janis Joplin and Smokey Joe's Café, we are reminded of the wealth and depth of American popular music," artistic director Molly Smith said in a previous statement. "Louis Jordan was at the forefront of the rock 'n' roll era, and it's great to get a modern take on his music through Robert O'Hara's production of Five Guys Named Moe."

"I love musicals, absolutely adore them, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to reinvent this show using a modern vernacular," O'Hara added. "When you listen to the original music of Louis Jordan, you hear the roots in rock 'n' roll, hip-hop and many of today's genres, therefore with this production you're going to hear Louis Jordan in a different way. We're in the age of Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake, so it's not going to be soft — it's going to be loud, it's going to be in your face, it's going to be sexy and fun." The production features musical direction by Darryl G. Ivey and choreography by Byron Easley.

The creative team for Five Guys Named Moe includes set designer Clint Ramos, costume designer Dede Ayite, lighting designer Alex Jainchill, sound designer Lindsay Jones, projection designer Jeff Sugg, New York casting director Paul Fouquet, stage manager Willliam E. Cruttenden III and assistant stage manager Marne Anderson.

Call (202) 488-3300 or visit arenastage.org for more information.

The Cast of Arena Stage's Reimagined Five Guys Named Moe Meet the Press

 
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