Adrian Grant Productions announces the London premiere of I’M EVERY WOMAN – THE CHAKA KHAN MUSICAL at Hackney Empire from 20-25 March 2026, followed by performances at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from 1-4 April and Congress Theatre, Eastbourne from 7-11 April 2026. The production tells the life story of Chaka Khan, the multi-platinum selling artist who has sold over 70 million records worldwide and won 11 Grammy Awards throughout her five-decade career.
Multi-platinum recording artist and award-winning actress Alexandra Burke takes the lead role of Chaka Khan across all three venues. Burke, known for her work in The X Factor, Sister Act, The Bodyguard, and Curfew, describes the role as a full-circle moment. The actress previously sang Chaka Khan songs at her first non-televised audition for The X Factor nearly seventeen years ago with her late mother by her side. This production marks Burke’s first originating role in musical theatre.
The Hackney Empire production features Jordan Frazier, known for playing Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton’s West End production, as alternate Chaka Khan. Paige Peddie from The Lion King takes on the role of Taka Boom, whilst Chanice Alexander-Burnett, who played Fantine in Les Misérables, appears as Tammy Michelle and Paulette McWilliams. Charlotte St Croix, standby for Tina Turner in TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, portrays Milini Khan and Whitney Houston.
The cast also includes Maryla Abraham from Coming to England as Sandra Stevens, Chrissie Bhima, who played Alline Bullock in TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, as Marie Stevens, and Sophie Earl from Lizard Boy as Joni Mitchell. Duane-Lamonte O’Garro from Kinky Boots takes on Hassan Khan and Luther Vandross, whilst Miles Anthony Daley from The Drifters Girl plays Richard Holland and Prince.
Teddy Wills from Get Up Stand Up! portrays Fred Hampton, Miles Davis, and Grand Master Melle Mel. Chris Breistein from An Officer and a Gentleman appears as Steve Winwood, Samuel Sarpong-Broni from TINA – The Tina Turner Musical plays Charles Stevens, Yoruba Priest, and Stevie Wonder, and Peter Houston from Hamilton takes the role of Bob Monaco.
The ensemble includes Kayleigh Stephenson from We Will Rock You, Earl Gregory from Play On!, Vanessa Dumatey from TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, Gregory Armand from Mandela, Harry Robinson from Hamilton, Zinzile Tshuma from Thriller Live!, Oskarina O’Sullivan from Thriller Live!, Connor Wilkins, and Tarik Frimpong from A Strange Loop, who also serves as Resident Choreographer.
I’M EVERY WOMAN reveals the woman behind the legend, charting Chaka Khan’s rise from a 13-year-old activist who joined the Black Panther Party after befriending Fred Hampton in 1967 to becoming one of the most influential voices in music history. The production explores her unwavering passion for civil rights, her defiance in the face of a toxic music industry, the harrowing road through addiction, and the unrelenting pressure of being a working mother. At its core, the musical celebrates resilience, purpose, and power.
The show features Khan’s beloved songs released both as a solo artist and as lead singer of the band Rufus. Audiences will experience iconic tracks including I Feel For You, Tell Me Something Good, Ain’t Nobody, Sweet Thing, Higher Love, and Through The Fire. The production weaves together music, love, and betrayal whilst introducing an array of Khan’s famous friends who shaped her journey.
Khan’s 1984 cover of Prince’s I Feel For You became a groundbreaking hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in the UK. The song featured Stevie Wonder on harmonica and Grandmaster Melle Mel’s rap intro, making Khan the first R&B artist to have a crossover hit featuring a rapper. The famous stuttered intro was actually a tape machine glitch during recording that producer Arif Mardin decided to keep, becoming one of the most recognisable intros in music history.
The musical features a book by Nia T. Hill, with direction by Racky Plews and musical supervision by Mark Crossland. Choreography comes from Ebony Clarke, with set design by Sara Perks, sound design by Chris Whybrow, and video design by Buckloop. Zoe Spurr handles lighting design, Natalie Pryce provides costume design, and JJ Wigs creates hair, wigs, and makeup design.
Debbie O’Brien leads casting, with Oliver Lidert as associate director and Simeon Beckett as associate choreographer. Toby P Darvill manages production, and Emily Obasohan provides general management.
The production is produced by Adrian Grant Productions in association with Chaka Khan. Co-producers include Tammy Michelle for Chaka Khan Enterprises, Nia T. Hill and Michael Derek Thomas for ODX Studios, and Willette Murphy Klausner for WMK Productions. For Adrian Grant Productions, Mahben Quddus and Dave Lumby serve as producers.
Chaka Khan’s influence extends far beyond her commercial success. Modern artists including H.E.R., Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monáe, Lizzo, and Sam Smith have all cited Khan as a musical influence. Aretha Franklin proclaimed her as a one-of-a-kind, premier vocalist. Khan’s ability to sing across eight different music genres, including R&B, jazz, pop, rock, gospel, country, classical, and dance music, demonstrates her extraordinary vocal range and versatility.
The musical arrives as part of a broader trend of biographical jukebox musicals in the West End. Recent productions including Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Ain’t Too Proud, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical have introduced new generations to pop divas and the biggest artists of all time, with many running for multiple years as fan favourites.
Khan’s iconic hit I’m Every Woman has become a feminist anthem celebrating female empowerment. The song has appeared in Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl collection commercials and the beloved film Bridget Jones’s Diary, demonstrating its enduring cultural impact across decades.
Chaka Khan, born Yvette Marie Stevens, has achieved legendary status throughout her 50-year career in the music industry. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023 with the Musical Excellence Award and ranks as VH1’s No. 17 in the list of 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll. Her recorded music has produced over 2,000 catalogue song placements across films, commercials, and television. Khan has achieved 10 number-one Billboard charted songs and continues to inspire artists worldwide with her powerful voice and unapologetic authenticity.
Adrian Grant Productions specialises in creating theatrical productions that celebrate iconic artists and their contributions to music and culture. The company focuses on bringing untold stories to the stage whilst honouring the artistic legacy of legendary performers.
