‘Uncle Jed’s Barbershop’ Musical Adaptation Returns To Denver

(Courtesy Jonathon Slaff)

“Uncle Jed’s Barbershop” leaps from the bookshelf to the stage this weekend. The family-friendly musical is based on the award-winning book by Margaree King Mitchell, and opens Friday at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater in Denver. It runs through Oct. 18.  

Set in the segregated South, the musical follows the story of Sarah Jean Carter and her Uncle Jed, the only African American barber in the county. Jed has lofty dreams of opening his own business someday.

While “Uncle Jed’s Barbershop” takes place in Monroe County, Arkansas, the musical has some regional ties -- such as Colorado composer David Wohl, who drew inspiration from the music of the 1920s and 30s for the score, and Kenneth Grimes of Denver, who wrote the adaptation. 

Other Colorado faces to look for: the First Lady of Denver, Mary Louise Lee, plays a leading role alongside Broadway veterans Ken Prymus, Nora Cole and Terry Burrell. And the show features choreography by Denver’s Cleo Parker Robinson.

• See “Uncle Jed’s Barbershop” at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater.
• Hear songs from the musical.