The original Broadway production of "Smokey Joe's Cafe" opened at the Virginia Theater in New York on March 2, 1995, ran for 2036 performances and was nominated for the 1995 Tony Award for the Best Musical. Ken Ard, Adrian Bailey, Brenda Braxton, Victor Trent Cook, B.J. Crosby, DeLee Lively and Frederick B. Owens recreated their stage roles in the filmed production. Victor Trent Coo was nominated for the 1995 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Brenda Braxton, B.J. Crosby and DeLee Lively received nominations for the 1995 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.