Backstage at the New York Theatre Workshop's Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole , the 14-person cast is buzzing. They have just finished a fabulous performance, and now it's time for part two: A celebratory after-party. But their first stop—okay, the first stop is to wipe off all that stage makeup—the next stop is the Valentino Beauty glam room, where full glam moments are happening pre-cast party.

“After these weeks, we have really gelled together as a cast,” Krystal Joy Brown, who took on the legendary roles of Eartha Kitt and Natalie Cole in the show, tells me before she goes in for her glam. “The message we want to send is, as Eartha says, ‘joie de vivre,’ like live your life. Be joyous in your pursuit of more, for greater, for speaking your truth, being open, honest, and vulnera

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