Boss XL Magazine Exclusive "Set It Off: Live on Stage" Opening Night Ignites Atlanta with Nostalgia, Power and Purpose
- Shemariah Pradia
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
On February 6, Atlanta witnessed the triumphant opening night of Set It Off: Live on Stage—a bold, emotionally charged theatrical reimagining of the iconic Set It Off that defined an era. What unfolded on stage was not merely a performance, but a shared cultural moment—one that transported audiences straight back to adolescence and young adulthood, where friendship, loyalty, struggle, and survival first imprinted themselves on our hearts.
From the opening scene, the cast commanded the stage with precision, vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry. The production honors the legacy of the original story while elevating it through the immediacy of live performance—where discipline, stamina, and emotional truth are tested nightly in front of a live audience. The result is storytelling that feels raw, powerful, and deeply personal.
The audience response was electric—moments of silence, gasps, laughter, and reflection filled the theater. This was nostalgia with purpose, reminding us why stories like Set It Off continue to resonate across generations.
Cast Lineup
Cleo – Felicia “Snoop” Pearson
Stoney – LaToya London
Frankie – Shayla Soraya
Tisean – Nikki Lashae
Keith – Kevin Savage
Stevie/Darnell – Carleek Owens
Detective Strode – Jason Fox
Detective Walker – Jessica Fontaine
Luther – Chris Foxx Clanton
Lorenzo/Lucious – Melvin Paramore
Kelly / Teller / Social Worker – Isabella Racco
Ursula – Skye Griffin
Each performer brings depth and authenticity to their role, embodying the emotional weight and lived realities that made the original story unforgettable.
Production Team & Crew
Writer / Producer / Promoter – Je’Caryous Johnson
Executive Producer – Meaghan Roberts Johnson
Associate Producer – Angela Miles
Director – J. Kyle Manzay
VP of Digital Marketing – Martin Almgren
Stage & Technical Crew Highlights
Autumn Dancy – Stage Manager
Skye Griffin – Tour Manager
Joseph Slawinski – Sound Designer / Sound Effects
Isabel Curley-Clay & Moriah Curley-Clay – Set Designers
Caleb Foster – ME / Lighting Operator
Matt Head – Music Composer
“D’Major” Boynton – Music Director
Makene Culpepper – Production Manager / Carpenter / LED Tech
Fontella Boone – Costume Designer
Justin Lynch – FOH / Sound Operator
Jake Guinn – Fight Captain
Emmanuel Mason – Head Carpenter
Adirah Muhammad – Assistant Stage Manager / Props
2026 Tour Dates
Atlanta, GA – February 6–8
Washington, DC – February 13–14
Detroit, MI – March 13–15
Houston, TX – March 28–29
With multiple cities on the tour and tickets already moving fast, several dates are expected to sell out.
Final Word
Set It Off: Live on Stage is more than a stage play—it is a celebration of resilience, friendship, and the power of storytelling. Opening night in Atlanta proved that this story still matters, still moves, and still holds space for reflection and conversation.
A Message That Lingers Beyond the Curtain
At its core, Set It Off: Live on Stage is a story about friendship—about the bonds we form when the world feels unforgiving. It is about loyalty, sacrifice, risk, and love—the kind that protects, the kind that costs, and the kind that pushes us to dream even when survival feels like the only option.
As echoed in the production’s closing message, dreams are powerful—but courage is required to pursue them. Every character in this story is searching for something more: more freedom, more dignity, more life. And while the road is never easy, the desire to rise above circumstances is universal.
The production reminds audiences that they are not just spectators, but family—connected through shared memories, shared struggles, and shared hope. It challenges us to love harder, trust deeper, dream bigger, and live braver.
Set It Off: Live on Stage does not end when the curtain falls. It stays with you—echoing long after the final bow—affirming why stories like this continue to matter, generation after generation.
If you haven’t secured your tickets yet, now is the time. This is theater that stays with you long after the curtain falls. Boss XL Magazine, Where culture, legacy, and impact take center stage.
Official Website: jecaryous.com
Instagram: @jeCaryous
Twitter/X: @jeCaryous
Facebook: Je’Caryous Johnson
Based on the New Line Cinema motion picture written by Takashi Bufford.
Presented by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.
Special thanks to Felisha Norman and Mark Kaufman of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.
