Broadway insiders (producers, press, casting directors, actors) boarded ferry boats for Ellis Island on August 8 to see Sammi Cannold’s site-specific vision for the beloved musical Ragtime. A starry cast, including Laura Michelle Kelly, Brandon Victor Dixon, Michael Park, and Andy Mientus, wowed the crowd with selections from the show, but the absolute breakout moment was when newcomer Aisha Jackson sang Sarah's big showstopper “Your Daddy’s Son”.
Watching the other actors watching her and hearing her voice soar was a highlight of the night, especially since it was the first night many in the audience saw Jackson perform like this. Her previous New York work includes swing/ensemble roles in Beautiful, Invisible Thread, and currently Waitress. After seeing her shine in Ragtime, here are 10 starring and featured roles we want to see Jackson perform next.
Lorrell Robinson in Dreamgirls
Nettie in The Color Purple
Lutiebelle in Purlie
Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton
Dionne in Hair
Eponine in Les Miserables
Aida in Aida
Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar
Ti Moune in Once on This Island
Felicia in Memphis
Until this happens, you could see Aisha Jackson in Waitress at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre.
