Signature Theatre’s season opener, Play On!, fuses Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night with the music of Duke Ellington, transforming the story into a 1930s Harlem jazz cabaret. Conceived by Sheldon Epps with a book by Cheryl L. West and directed by Lili-Anne Brown, the production immerses audiences in a Cotton Club–style setting, complete with period costumes, chandeliers, and a live jazz band.
The plot reimagines Viola as Vy (Jalisa Williams), an aspiring songwriter who disguises herself as a man to break into Ellington’s world, setting off love triangles and comic misadventures. Standout performances include Awa Sal Secka as Lady Liv, whose powerhouse vocals deliver the show’s most riveting moments, and Kanysha Williams as Miss Mary, whose “It Don’t Mean a Thing” brings humor and vocal fireworks.
Blending Shakespearean wit with Ellington’s timeless music, Play On! becomes both a love story and a tribute to jazz, celebrating resilience, creativity, and joy. The show runs through Oct. 5 at Signature Theatre.
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