Musical at Marietta theater pays homage to Harlem Renaissance

Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square is staging a Black history musical based on the Harlem Renaissance.

The Cotton Club Revue is in the midst of a six-week run at the renovated theater in Marietta’s iconic town center, 11 Whitlock Ave. NW. The soulful stage play debuted Aug. 20 and will run through Oct. 3.

Cotton Club Revue is directed and choreographed by Emmy-nominated playwright Stepp Stewart, who also has the starring role. Stepp’s musical pays homage to the famous Cotton Club, a rollicking New York City nightclub that was an epicenter of Black nightlife in Harlem during the 1930s and 40s. It features song and dance performances of hits from that era like “Take the A Train” and “Hi Dee Ho.” Performers such as Lena Horne, Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday and the famous Cotton Club dancers are also portrayed.