After Midnight – Musical Revue – The 5th Avenue Theatre – Shows I've Seen

@showsiveseen "After Midnight" #jazz #musical #revue at @The 5th Avenue Theatre starring Porscha Shaw and Yusef Seevers. Novel vantage point from the beautifully-painted first-row table seats. I lost count of the magical songs performed by Porscha Shaw and @licahennings. Dapper vintage NYC #Harlem costumes by Ricky German. Captivating tap numbers choreographed by @pamelayasutake. Closing next weekend! #dukeellington Review: showsiveseen.com/13529 Photos: Michael B. Maine Director: @missjaymeow ♬ I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby – Ella Fitzgerald

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): After Midnight jazz musical revue at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Novel vantage point from the beautifully-painted first-row table seats. I lost count of the magical songs performed by Porscha Shaw and Nalica Hennings. Dapper vintage NYC Harlem costumes by Ricky German. Captivating tap numbers choreographed by Pamela Yasutake. Closing next weekend!

Recommendation:
See it if you enjoy either 1) musical revues without a narrative 2) or Duke Ellington music.

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Probably not, but it was good

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Yes

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): A lively showcase of Harlem’s rich jazz musical heritage mostly centered around jazz standards and Duke Ellington’s timeless works.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Immerse yourself in the sultry, swingin’ Jazz Age of the Harlem Renaissance, where the Cotton Club is the place to be! Infused with the iconic tunes of Duke Ellington, Dorothy Fields, Harold Arlen, and more, After Midnight weaves groundbreaking jazz standards with rapturous dance and the rhythmic poetry of Langston Hughes in a jubilant production fit to blow the roof off the theater. Timeless songs like “Stormy Weather,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing” will have you leaping to your feet to join the fun.

Type: Musical Revue

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Static

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably appreciate the show more if you were familiar with Duke Ellington’s music or jazz standards.

Defined Plot/Storyline: No

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actors: 10

Total Actors: 10

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Length (Including Any Intermission): 80 minutes

Other Rave(s)

Table Seats: I was fortunate to sit at one of the nightclub tables just in front of the first row. It offered a rare, almost immersive perspective that 99% of the audience didn’t experience. I was close enough to see sweat drop from the performers! It was a truly intimate vantage point to appreciate the intricate choreography, nuanced facial expressions, and exquisite costume details. From this spot, I could feel the rhythm in my chest and hear the echo of the performance reverberate from the back of the theatre. Regardless of where you sit, check out the beautifully-painted tabletops at the beginning or end of the show. Local Black artists Charde’ Brown, Al Doggett, Sabella Flagg, Aramis Hamer, Susan Mask, and Stephanie Morales painted these “slices of Harlem life.” The tabletop paintings were a delightful detail to Carey Wong’s scenic design. So many audience members excitedly took pictures of these pieces. See my pictures at the bottom of this post.
Song Highlights:
- “Raisin’ the Rent” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing” – Exhilarating tap dance showcase
- “The Skrontch” – Vintage choreography with retro charm
- “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” – Tight, old-school girl group (Iris Beaumier, Madison Willis, and Trina Mill) blended close harmonies in a playful sway.
- “On the Sunny Side of the Street” – Warm, magical rendition by Porscha Shaw
- “Woman Be Wise (Don’t Advertise Your Man)” – Charmingly playful song performed by Nalica Hennings
- “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love” – Porscha Shaw’s crystalline tone let the jazz standard gleam.
- “Peckin’” – Cheeky, rooster‑strut choreography with swagger
- “Stormy Weather” – Porscha Shaw performed the nightclub‑sleek ballad with a controlled, sophisticated build to a satisfying bloom.
- “Ain’t It the Truth” and “Daybreak Express” – Yusef Seevers’s rich assured tenor rode the band’s brassy lift.
- “Go Back to Where You Stayed Last Night” – Nalica Hennings’s burnished, golden timbre had a bluesy bite.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Venue: Similar to what I said about Taproot Theatre’s Always … Patsy Cline, this show might shine even more in a nightclub-like venue such as The Triple Door with tables/drinks/food rather than a traditional theatre. That said, I’m curious how the revenue would compare between the two settings.
“Creole Love Call”: In a song that featured only vocalizations and no lyrics, what was the meaning behind the interpretive choreography in “Creole Love Call.” Was it illustrating the lifecycle of relationships: courtship, intimacy, marriage, then in-sickness-and-in-health? Let me know your thoughts in my social media comments.

Theatre Company: The 5th Avenue Theatre

Venue: The 5th Avenue Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 1308 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Price Range: $50-169

Ticket Affordability Options: The 5th Avenue Theatre often partners with organizations you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, they sometimes offer a discount for my employer affiliation and my apartment complex. Rush tickets are typically also available the day of the performance at the box office.

Dates: August 5 – 24, 2025

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: When I don’t walk to the theatre or park on the street, I park in the paid garage at the Motif Hotel northwest of the theatre. The entrance is on 5th Ave. Do NOT park in the APA Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel garage (entrance on 6th Ave). That’s where most of the audience (and I think the subscribers) parks, so it’s a nightmare to leave. However, the APA Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel garage is the closest garage to the theatre and you can access the theatre through a tunnel if you want to avoid the elements. But, in my opinion, this benefit is not worth the time wasted leaving the garage.

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Pictures: See production pictures below by Michael B. Maine.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.