Theater Thursday - Lights Out: Nat King Cole

We received complimentary tickets to Lights Out: Nat King Cole for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

 

What: Lights Out: Nat King Cole

Where: NYTW

             83 E. 4th St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 16+

When: Through June 29, 2025

In 1956, Nat King Cole was the first African American to host a television variety series. Because of rampant racial prejudices, particularly in the South, the show had trouble attracting advertisers and was cancelled after only one season. Lights Out: Nat King Cole is a reimaging of the finale broadcast of the show.

The show was written by the multitalented Colman Domingo. Mr. Domingo, also known for his acting and directing, has been nominated for numerous awards in various categories, including two Oscars and two Tonys, and has won several, including a Primetime Emmy Award. 

The role of Cole is played by Dule Hill, best known for the TV shows The West Wing and Psych. If you've only seen him in these roles, it is a real treat to see him show off more of his triple threat skills, as the role also requires singing and dancing. Hill's singing is fine, but he really shines as an actor and dancer. His performance as a man grappling with what he wants his legacy to be his heartbreaking, and his tap dance duet with Daniel J. Watts in the role of Sammy Davis Jr. is a highlight of the show.

Watts is a standout in general as well. He is a blast of energy in the role of Davis, who functions as a kind of conscience for Cole. 

Despite the aforementioned singing and dancing, the show is not billed as a musical but rather as a play with music, although it has plenty of songs. It may even have more songs than some actual musicals. If you are a fan of old standards, particularly those of Nat King Cole, you will enjoy the music. All of his best-known songs are covered and more. 

Unfortunately, the show is much more than just a blast from the past. It is all too scarily relevant to today's world in the worst of ways.

And that's our view. For more about Lights Out: Nat King Cole or to purchase tickets to one of the few remaining performances, visit www.nytw.org/show/lights-out-nat-king-cole,

Tune in Saturday for Still More Theater Saturday.

Photo credits: 

All Lights Out: Nat King Cole production photos by Marc J. Franklin

Images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image,  contact us here, and we will look into the matter.