Special Reports

Glee Stars Chris Colfer and Amber Riley Reunite Backstage at Cotton Club Parade

Amber Riley and Chris Colfer, who play Mercedes Jones and Kurt Hummel on the hit Fox series <i>Glee</i>, get close for a photo backstage at New York City Center.
Amber Riley and Chris Colfer, who play Mercedes Jones and Kurt Hummel on the hit Fox series Glee, get close for a photo backstage at New York City Center.
(© David Gordon)

On Glee, Chris Colfer’s “Kurt Hummel” and Amber Riley’s “Mercedes Jones” are BFFs. Off-screen, the pair are besties too.

Nothing could stop the Golden Globe winner from cheering on his TV co-star during the November 17 evening performance of New York City Center Encores!‘ jazzy musical revue Cotton Club Parade, in which Riley appears.

Colfer, who is rumored to be in NYC to film an upcoming episode of Glee, couldn’t contain his excitement at seeing his pal on stage; TheaterMania caught him applauding his hands off following Riley’s big number, a steamy rendition of Ethel Waters’ classic “Stormy Weather.” After the show, Chris and Amber obliged us a photo backstage, then headed off to Amber’s dressing room for a proper reunion visit.

Cotton Club Parade, which is conceived by Encores! Artistic Director Jack Viertel, celebrates Duke Ellington’s years at Harlem’s famed Cotton Club in the 20s and 30s. Warren Carlyle directs and choreographs the production, which features the Jazz at Lincoln Center All Stars conducted by Daryl Waters.

The company includes Riley, Joshua Henry, Jared Grimes, Adriane Lenox, Alexandria “Brinae Ali” Bradley, Andrew “Dr.Ew” Carter, Kyra Da Costa, Carmen Ruby Floyd, La Tanya Hall, Jeremiah “Supaman” Haynes, Christopher Jackson, Monroe Kent III, Karine Plantadit, T. Oliver Reid, Britton Smith, Christopher Broughton, C.K. Edwards, Wilkie Ferguson, Chanon Judson, Candice Monet McCall, Marielys Molina, Erin N. Moore, Monique Smith, Daniel J. Watts, and J.L. Williams.

Click here to see TheaterMania’s interview with Amber Riley and a sneak peek at Cotton Club Parade.

Click here for more information and Cotton Club Parade tickets.

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Cotton Club Parade

Closed: November 18, 2012