Jada Bells at Uptown Players
Jada Bells
Written and Directed by B.J. Cleveland
Music Direction by Gary Adler
Conductor/Keyboard 1 Gary Adler
Keyboard 2 Vonda K. Bowling
Guitar Dennis Langevin
Bass Andrew Goins
Woodwinds Michael Dill
Drums/Percussion Michael Ptacin
Musical Arranger Adam C. Wright
Choreography by Kelly McCain
Scenic Designer Dennis Canright
Costume Designer Suzi Cranford
Properties Designer Jane Quetin
Stage Manager Alexis Salmon
Lighting Designer Jason Foster
Sound Designer Brian Christensen
Hair and Makeup Designer Michael B. Moore
Asst Stage Manager Elissa Oeschler
Cast (alphabetical order)
Coy Covington
Peter Di Cesare
Presley Duyck
Micah Green
Isaiah Christopher-Lord Harris
Jacob Hemsath
David Lugo
Michael B. Moore
Sath Paden
Sara Shelby-Martin
Sammy Swim
Lee Walter
Brett Warner
Evor Wright
My thoughts on Jada Bells at Uptown Players or…festive fun with Fox and friends.
What a peppermint flavored Christmas love fest this is! Writer and Director B.J.Cleveland has created a Christmas show that falls somewhere between “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and one of those Bing Crosby holiday specials. However, Cleveland’s show is much more entertaining than those because, instead of Ru or Bing, the action here revolves around DFW Superstar Lee Walter in the persona of Jada Pinkett Fox.
There’s a holiday gathering at Jada’s place to celebrate Jada’s participation in the Miss Mary Dragmas 2023 competition. The winner is to be announced tonight on television and three possible endings have been filmed.
Jada has an incredibly talented group of friends and this “holiday extravaganza,” becomes a wonderful Christmas talent show that is both joyful and poignant. There’s song after song in this show and Music Director Gary Adler and his sensational band that includes Vonda K. Bowling, Dennis Langevin, Andrew Goins, Michael Dill, and Michael Ptacin, keep the tunes, both new and familiar and arranged by Adam C. Wright and Gary Adler, sparkling like Christmas champagne. There’s also spirited and sassy choreography with all the right moves from Kelly McCain.
Everyone looks their holiday finest in Suzi Cranford’s costumes that range from Christmas sweaters to sequined gowns and Michael B. Moore’s makeup and hair design keeps the cast red carpet ready. The action takes place on a clever set designed by Dennis Canright that transforms via turntable from Jada’s home to a nightclub. The lighting is by Jason Foster and the sound design by Brian Christensen.
There are over twenty songs in Jada Bells and to praise all of these outstanding performers would take me to 2024. All the group numbers are terrific and when your holiday guests include DFW stage luminaries like Peter DiCesare, Presley Duyck, Micah Green, Isaiah Christopher-Lord Harris, Jacob Hemsath, David Lugo, Michael B. Moore, Seth Paden, Sara Shelby-Martin, Sammy Swim, Brett Warner, and Evor Wright great singing and great drag is definitely on the Christmas menu.
When every number in a show brings thunderous approval from the audience, it is difficult to single out individual performances. However, this show has some magical moments, some hilarious and some heartfelt. Seth is going to be on the top of Santa’s naughty list for a long time after news of his wickedly raunchy “Rock You Hard This Christmas” reaches the North Pole. David’s “You Deserve It All” raises Jada’s spirits and ours. Micah, Michael, and Sammy bring a fun Christmas take to “Gotta Get a Gimmick.” Jacob’s “Christmas With My Dad” is a heart tugger. Peter’s soul stirring tenor makes “Christmas, Will You Stay?” unforgettable and Lee aka Jada delivers the powerful “I Believe in You and Me” reminding us just how multi-talented they are. And I don’t want to give away any surprises, but Jada’s Fairy Drag Mother, played by the amazing Coy Covington, makes an appearance spreading Christmas cheer, wit, and her own special wisdom.
My only criticism of Jada Bells is that Isaiah teases us with a spot-on impression of Grace Jones that is cut much too short. I need to see more of my favorite disco diva!
Jada Bells is a celebration of the season, friendship, and finding your “true family.” If you overhear anyone saying, “Christmas is a drag” in the next week or so, they are probably just complimenting this show. It’s a “holiday extravaganza” that’s really the best “Fox and Friends” ever.
