Maya Angelou’s life set to hit Broadway
The life story of phenomenal woman, Maya Angelou, preeminent poet and author, will become a Broadway way in a couple of years.
The life story of phenomenal woman, Maya Angelou, preeminent poet and author, will become a Broadway way in a couple of years.
The life story of phenomenal woman, Maya Angelou, preeminent poet and author, will become a Broadway way in a couple of years.
Phenomenal Woman: An Evening With Maya Angelou is a one-woman show that will bring to live theater Angelou’s writings along with “some private musings that have never before been made public,” according to a press release sent out last week announcing the news, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
David Michael Rich of Corstoria, LLC, and J. Todd Harris of Branded Pictures Entertainment are producing the play, with exclusive rights granted by Maya’s estate. Angelou’s son, Guy Johnson, is also playing a part to help develop the play. Producers are shooting for a 2021 premiere date for the play. No director has been named as of yet.
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“My mother lived an extraordinary life,” Johnson said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “She brought a sense of passion to living and invested herself wholly in it. What she wanted most was justice for all human beings, and the freedom to experience joy and laughter. We hope to capture her joie de vivre. We’re going to include some private anecdotes that will be a revelation to audiences. I’m pleased to be working with this team in bringing her story to life and can’t wait for the public to experience it.”
Rich said the timing of the play couldn’t be more dire for the world.
“The paradox of our time is that while we face the physical warming of our planet, our society is growing dangerously colder. The world has taken a troubling turn in which expressions of hate are on the rise, from verbal invective to physical violence. Yet, when Dr. Angelou left us, she left us with everything we need to fight this scourge,” Rich said, according to the magazine. “We’re just not using the gifts she gave us. She told us ‘when we know better, we do better.’ I hope this play will be an antidote to these challenging times.”
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Angelou, a beloved poet, author, former dancer, and wise sage, was awarded The National Medal of Arts and Presidential Medal of Freedom.
