Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller at Arena Stage

Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller

Arena Stage
1101 Sixth Street, SW Washington

Staged by Randy Johnson, the visionary behind One Night with Janis Joplin, Smokey Joe’s Café transports us to the Golden age of Rock, Rhythm and Blues showcasing nearly 40 popular hits from Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame legends Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Bursting with infectious tunes like “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Stand By Me,” “Love Potion #9” and “On Broadway” it’s no wonder this electrifying show received seven Tony nominations and became the longest-running musical revue in Broadway history. Get ready to raise the roof at Smokey Joe’s Café!

Thru - Jun 8, 2014

Tuesdays: 7:30pm

Wednesdays: 7:30pm

Thursdays: 8:00pm

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 2:00pm & 8:00pm

Sundays: 2:00pm & 7:30pm

Price: $40 - $100

Show Type: Musical

Running Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes, one intermission

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Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller Reviews

Average Rating based on 5 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Recommended

"...The hits are all-timers such as "Hound Dog," "Stand by Me" and "Love Potion No. 9," yet longtime Arena watchers may question whether this national flagship theater really ought to be shaking its fringe and exercising its muscles chewing such soft bubble gum. As a by-the-numbers stage package of truly great radio staples, "Smokey Joe's" has never wowed critics, but it's always been a moderate crowd pleaser. It ran for five years on Broadway in the 1990s, and in the Washington area it's played the Kennedy Center (1997), the Warner (2001) and the Bethesda Theatre (2008). Arena does it reasonably well, but heads up: "Five Guys Named Moe," another eager-to-please nostalgic musical revue, is due at Arena in November. Too much sugar can leave an audience toothless."

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- Nelson Pressley

Talkin Broadway - Highly Recommended

"...With a knockout cast and staging that never slows for a minute, Arena Stage's glorious production of Smokey Joe's Cafe - The Songs of Leiber and Stoller is a crowd-pleaser of the highest degree."

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- Susan Berlin

Washingtonian - Recommended

"...Local stage veteran E. Faye Butler, who just drips charisma, lends her formidable pipes to such numbers as the rollicking gospel hit “Saved” and the coy duet “You’re the Boss” with the twinkly-eyed bass Stephawn P. Stephens. Nova Y. Payton belts out even the highest of notes in another lovely duet with Stephens, “Love Me/Don’t”; she also completely sells the Thornton classic “Hound Dog.” Kreis has perhaps the least conventional voice of the nine performers, but he uses it to soulful effect in songs like “I Keep Forgettin’” and his aforementioned Elvis tribute. The Fichandler Stage’s theater-in-the-round setup can sometimes lead to acoustical challenges for the show’s frequent bursts into four-part harmony, but it’s more of an occasional distraction than a real problem. During Smokey Joe’s Café, all eyes are on the singers and dancers shimmying and pelvic-thrusting their way through an infectious mix of hits."

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- Missy Frederick

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

"...If you are looking to have a toe-tappin’, finger-snappin’ good time, then treat yourself to see Smokey Joe’s Cafe – The Songs of Leiber and Stoller at Arena Stage, now playing through June 8th."

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- Mark Beachy

DCTheatreScene - Highly Recommended

A highly stylized, spirited musical revue that shimmies through the (popular and some not-so-popular) songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Smokey Joe’s Café triumphs—from its superb cast down to all the fedoras and a couple of well-placed pairs of saddle shoes. No detail is missed.

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- Kelly McCorkendale

Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller Photo Gallery

Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller at Arena Stage