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Directed by Jasmin Richardson (Courtesy Photo) |
As New York City Children’s Theater closes its 29th season, it does so with a story rooted in Harlem sidewalks, front stoops, and the quiet negotiations of growing up.
Beginning February 28, New York City Children’s Theater will present the world premiere of The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, a new musical adapted from The Hula Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street by Thelma Lynne Godin. Directed by Broadway veteran Jasmin Richardson, the production runs through March 15 at Theatre Row on West 42nd Street.
With book and lyrics by Tia DeShazor and music by Derrick Byars, the 50-minute musical — recommended for ages 5 and up — centers on Kameeka, a 10-year-old girl determined to win her neighborhood’s hula-hooping crown. Victory, however, comes with a complication: the contest falls on the same day as her beloved Miz Adeline’s birthday celebration.
The conflict is modest but precise, and that is the point. As chores pile up and plans unravel, Kameeka is forced to weigh ambition against responsibility, competition against care. What unfolds is less about winning than about what it means to belong.
“I’m so excited to share The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen with audiences,” Ms. Richardson said. “It’s a joyful story about a young girl growing up in Harlem — learning responsibility, finding her confidence, and discovering the magic in her everyday world. I hope audiences see themselves reflected in its heart and humor.”
That sense of reflection is central to the production. The cast — Gabriella Scott as Kameeka, with Mya Bryant, Eliah Johnson, Arielle Roberts, and Nia Simone Smith — moves through a Harlem that feels lived-in rather than idealized. Three generations of women anchor the story, offering guidance that is practical, affectionate, and earned.
“In The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, three generations of women draw inspiration from one another against the colorful backdrop of Harlem’s streets,” said Barbara Zinn Krieger, NYCCT’s artistic director. “The story explores universal themes of love, support, community, and legacy — ideas that resonate with families everywhere.”
The production design supports that intimacy. Scenic design is by David Goldstein, with costumes by Antonio Consuegra, lighting by Emmanuel Delgado, and sound by Efrem Jenkins. Anthony Freitas serves as props designer. Sloane Fischer is production stage manager, assisted by Dennis Ebert Jr., with casting by Murnane Casting.
Mr. Byars’s score blends gospel roots with contemporary musical theater, while Ms. DeShazor’s book and lyrics focus on clarity, humor, and emotional truth. Together, they create a work that respects its young audience without talking down to it.
Founded in 1996, NYCCT has built its reputation on original productions that pair storytelling with social awareness. Over nearly three decades, the company has reached more than 420,000 children and adults across New York City and surrounding communities, using theater as a tool for literacy, empathy, and emotional growth.
The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen continues that mission — offering not spectacle, but recognition. It is a musical that understands that childhood victories are rarely about trophies, and that the strongest crowns are often shared.
Ticket Information
Tickets begin at $29.50 (plus a $5 service fee), with Pay-What-You-Can options available.
Performance Schedule
Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street)
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11:00AM
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 2:30PM
Sunday, March 1, 2026, 11:00AM
Sunday, March 1, 2026, 2:30PM
Saturday, March 7, 2026, 11:00AM
Saturday, March 7, 2026, 2:30PM
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 11:00AM
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 2:30PM (Sensory Friendly)
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 11:00AM (Sensory Friendly)
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 2:30PM
Sunday, March 15, 2026, 11:00AM
Sunday, March 15, 2026, 2:30PM
Website: www.nycchildrenstheater.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nycchildrenstheater
Instagram: instagram.com/nycchildrenstheater
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