MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Let the good times roll with the cast of “Five Guys Named Moe.” Directed and choreographed by Maplewood’s Gregory Omar Osborne and musical direction by Victor Burks, this duo celebrates the musical stylings of Louis Jordan and takes the audience back to a simpler time. The show will be performed at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road in Maplewood, on Friday, June 29, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 30, at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, July 1, at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.gregoryomarosborne.com/five-guys-named-moe.
“Five Guys Named Moe” is more than a musical revue. There are so many topics brought up within the narrative that need to be addressed within male circles, such as hyper masculinity, vulnerability, accountability, respect for women and the list goes on. Osborne chose to produce this musical hoping to bring a change in the way men of color are portrayed. He wants to share a little “black boy joy,” a side that is rarely seen in mainstream media.
“Five Guys Named Moe” is about Nomax, who is broke; his lovely Lorraine left him and he’s listening to the radio at 5 a.m. Out of the nowhere, five guys named Moe appear. Set to Jordan’s iconic rhythm and blues/jazz score, the Moes encourage Nomax to turn his life around and tell Lorraine that he loves her.
“Five Guys Named Moe” features a cast of 6 “blactors,” as Osborne calls them. Rounding out the cast are Jonathan Yearwood as Nomax, Vladimy Dorson as Little Moe, Garth West as Eat Moe, Kyle Javon as Four-Eyed Moe, Justin Phillips as Big Moe and Jay Hanks of Maplewood as No Moe.
Photos Courtesy of Manley Photography
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