Editor’s Note: The musical is now expected to premiere in fall 2025.
A new musical inspired by Chaka Khan’s life and music is in development.
I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical, directed by Racky Plews and written by Tina Andrews, will debut in London’s West End in fall 2024.
According to the logline, the West End production tells the story of “Chaka’s life from her time in the Black Panther party to lead singer of the band, Rufus, onto the iconic award-winning solo artist, who has sold more than 70 million records with hits such as ‘I Feel For You,’ ‘Aint Nobody,’ ‘This Is My Night’ and ‘Eye to Eye.'”
“London has a very special place in my heart and I’m honored that my life and music will be celebrated on a West End stage. Working with such a talented team – producer Adrian Grant and director Racky Plews on my life story is really a dream come true,” says Khan.
Adrian Grant, a renowned producer, adds, “I’m thrilled to be producing a theatrical stage musical about the life of Chaka Khan. She has been an icon across many genres and decades, but I grew up in the 80s, and songs such as ‘Ain’t Nobody’ and ‘I Feel For You’ created an everlasting cultural imprint that will form a part of this show, with electric choreography and vocals that blow the roof off!”
Grant continues, “We have an amazing creative team, and Tina [Andrews] and Chaka, who both hail from Chicago, have formed a great bond during the writing process. There’s a long way to go, but every day I wake up excited with the possibilities that lay ahead.”
Inspired by the title of Khan’s 1978 solo debut single, I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical will also involve musical director Ian Oakley, who worked on productions for Respect: The Aretha Franklin Songbook and A Dose of Happiness.
The cast has yet to be announced, with auditions underway. Various roles of Khan, which will span three different eras of her life, are up for grabs. Casting concludes in August 2023, according to the musical’s official website. Get more casting information here.
Later this fall, a month-long workshop, for which Khan will attend, is set to take place from Oct. 16 until Nov. 17.
In March, Khan earned a platinum award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the 1983 classic “Ain’t Nobody,” which she performed alongside Rufus. This is the first song by Rufus & Chaka Khan to be awarded a platinum plaque.
Khan signed a new deal with Sono Recording Group (SRG-ILS) last spring. “I am very proud to be with The SRG/ILS Group, a company that is run by a real musician who understands the needs of artists that have been overlooked for years,” Khan said in a statement.
In July 2022, she turned in “Woman Like Me” as her first release for the label. A full-length album is in the works.
In 2019, Khan released her tenth studio album, Hello Happiness.
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