Project Created: “Black Light”
"Black Light" was produced by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
Philadelphia Premiere: May 4 – 6, 2017
Quote: “Each night of Black Light, Daniel Alexander Jones straps on his platform heels, wears his assortment of sequined gowns and dons a beautiful wig, transforming into Jomama Jones. She’s an intimidating woman of contradictions who takes the audience on a musical journey that fuses everything from the Black American Freedom movement to Afromysticism and the musical influences of Prince, Sade, Diana Ross and Tina Turner.” – Jerry Portwood, Rolling Stone
Bio: Interdisciplinary artist Daniel Alexander Jones creates multi-dimensional theatre where the body, mind, emotions, voice and spirit come together as one experience. Lately, he has been creating works for his alter-ego, Jomama Jones, in collaboration with composer Bobby Halvorson: Night Flowers (2014) at NYC's JACK, featured Jomama with a new musical guest each night; Bright Now Beyond (2014), a musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s The Marvelous Land of Oz, premiered at Austin’s Salvage Vanguard Theater; and the concert/performance Radiate (2011) played to acclaim at Soho Rep and is touring nationally. Among Jones’s many honors are multiple MAP Fund grants, an Alpert Award in the Arts (2006), and fellowships from the Jerome, McKnight and Howard Foundations. He currently serves as head of the playwriting program at Fordham University. On April 2nd, Daniel Alexander Jones was named a recipient of a Doris Duke Award, $275,000 in flexible, multi-year funding. Recipients can access their funds over a period of three to five years.
Project Description: Channeling greats such as Diana Ross, Lena Horn, and Josephine Baker, Jomama presented fans old and new with an entirely original score, and storytelling art that confronted the fears and frights of today with a radiating gorgeous light.
Called brilliant and versatile, Daniel Alexander Jones brought the diva alter ego Jomama Jones to glorious life – complete with a unique voice, energetic musical numbers, soulful singing, and a stellar band. This 90-minute cabaret-style evening created a safe and engaging atmosphere, as Jomama invited the audience to imagine a loving and bright future together.
Credits: Directed by Tea Alagić, Black Light features original music by Jomama Jones with Bobby Halvorson, Laura Jean Anderson, Dylan Meek, and Josh Quat. Music direction is by Tariq al-Sabir, based upon Samora Abayomi Pinderhughes’ original arrangements. The production has scenic design by Gabriel Evansohn, lighting design by Ania Parks, costume design by Oana Botez, and sound design by Nick Kourtides.
Residency Public Sharing: 7/1/15