Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...This Chicago Shakespeare production represents a welcome innovation, a mini-tour across multiple regional theaters of a show that Manhattan Theater Club produced in its Broadway house, where it earned Tony nominations for playwright Jocelyn Bioh, director Whitney White (a Northwestern alum), set designer David Zinn and costume designer Dede Ayite. All that was well-deserved, but particularly notable is that the Tonys also gave an extra award singling out Nikiya Mathis’ hair and wig work, given the absence of such a category and the joyous lift those designs bring to the show."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Jaja's African Hair Braiding (directed at Chicago Shakespeare by Whitney White) is both hilarious and heartbreaking-a celebration of immigrant contributions and a reminder of the fragility of their lives under shifting political winds."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...There are two things to know about Jocelyn Bioh, playwright of Jaja's African Hair Braiding, the theatrical sensation that's currently delighting audiences in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's The Yard and had Broadway in such a tizzy 15 months ago. She starts with character and, to take understatement to its outer limits, she has an ear for dialog. Add to that an irresistible story full of heart, laughter and raw reality and you have an idea why folks are stampeding to soak in its riches. Helping to ensure its magic stays intact, Whitney White directs Chicago Shakespeare's production just as she did on Broadway."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...This is a play that hits every emotion in the continuum of comedy to tragedy. Director Whitney White has gathered a talented and skilled ensemble that portrays these stories without cliche, and makes us cheer for every character. This is a don't miss it show for this cold cruel season."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...Whitney White, an award-winning director based in Chicago, flawlessly directs the production, bringing out the richness and soul of each character in beauty. Blending laughter and joy, they courageously open up about their dreams while revealing the struggles and secrets that challenge them."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...This is a story that takes us into the lives of a group of West African immigrant women working in a Harlem beauty salon . During the 90 minutes of performance art ( the cast of ladies in this production sparkle and shine as they navigate their way through the script that Bioh has given them and under the slick direction of Whitney White on a glorious set(David Zii) we get to watch them spend a very hot day dealing with their clients, their friends, their lovers and relatives. I think I got them all!"
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...The Tour of this Tony Award-winning hit Broadway play is once again Directed with ferocity and feeling by Whitney White. David Zinn’s inventive and brightly-colored Set Design, Dede Ayite’s creative Costumes and, especially, Nikiya Mathis’ Award-winning Hair and Wig Design are the real standouts of this production. Stefania Bubarella’s excellent Video Design and Justin Ellington’s Original Music and Sound Design beautifully round out the polished technical touches that make this a very Nice-Nice production. Jocelyn Bioh’s hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking comic drama will absolutely entertain and warm the hearts of every Chicago theatergoer."
Buzznews.net - Highly Recommended
"...JaJa's African Hair Braiding, written by first-generation Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Obie Award-winning Whitney White, is a vibrant celebration of the resilience, community, and complexity of West African immigrant women striving to establish their place in New York City. Currently receiving an acclaimed production at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the play offers a poignant, colorful, and often humorous exploration of identity, survival, and aspiration in the face of challenges such as undocumented status, systemic inequities, and cultural displacement."
Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended
"...We are in a hair salon in Harlem, New York. Miriam (Bisserat Tseggai) is braiding Jennifer's (Mia Ellis) hair. Hours have passed and there are still many more to go. Miriam is treating each step with care, and Jennifer understands that the task at hand is no small feat. The two at this point have shared pleasantries and snacks, and now Jennifer begins to ask the deeper questions. What else is one to do when sitting in the salon chair?"
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...Jocelyn Bioh’s vibrant “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” now playing at Chicago Shakespeare Theater unfolds in a series of fast-paced scenes over a single day in a Harlem salon. The year is 2019, but it could be last year, last month or even this week, considering the looming era of uncertainty. It’s here that during the comings and goings of clients we learn about the promise of immigrant life in America, sisterhood and the struggle for social and economic independence. The show also delivers high-spirited comedy that’s baked into the richly defined characters who create their art one lovely strand of hair at a time."
MaraTapp.org - Recommended
"...If you're looking for an amusing evening with some Chicago theater stars, spend 90 minutes at Jaja's African Hair Braiding salon but beware that this is a play that will make your head hurt. Despite all the laughs and funny stories, with the return of the 45th president to White House Jaja's African Hair Braiding couldn't be more timely."
Chicago Culture Authority - Highly Recommended
"...This play by Jocelyn Bioh is full of humor derived from bumping all of these disparate personalities against each other, as played by an ensemble featuring several very good actors making their Chicago stage debut as well as some great local talent, all on a vibrant and realistic set designed by David Zinn."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...The play is, in a word, a joy! Written with a sparkling wit, the dialogue, the inflections of nuance, timbre and expression, the exuberant body language are proud, natural- and the script is not just engaging, it's hilarious!"
Allie and the After Party - Highly Recommended
"...For those of us who may have never experienced the inside of a braiding salon or what it means to have that kind of community, this would be a good fit to see a different perspective. Those that have, on the other hand, may find familiarity with the shop dynamics and laugh right alongside the inside jokes. Jaja's African Hair Braiding is a good fit for those who love shows that are a "day-in-the-life" type show and everything we need right now - laughter, joy, community, and a call to stand against anyone who is trying to force people out."
BroadwayWorld - Recommended
"...With JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, Jocelyn Bioh pulls off a challenging theatrical feat: She makes a slice-of-life play consistently engaging and entertaining. Set in Harlem at a hair salon of the same name, JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING follows a group of West African immigrant women working there - along with some of their customers."