I'm Every Woman - The Chaka Khan Musical

I'm Every Woman - The Chaka Khan Musical is a biographical musical about American singer-songwriter Chaka Khan featuring her music and a book by Nia T. Hill. The musical premiered on the West End at the Hackney Empire and is set to return in summer 2026 at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.

Plot

The musical charts the life of 10-time Grammy-winning American singer and songwriter Chaka Khan, beginning with her activism during the civil rights era in the Black Panther party. Starting as the lead singer for the band, Rufus, she eventually launches a highly-successful solo career. The story delves into the hardships in her journey, such as the toxic music industry, addiction and being a working mother. It also features several notable collaborators from her life, such as Joni Mitchell, Prince and Stevie Wonder.

Production history

2026 West End premiere

The musical was first produced in a workshop in 2023, with the role of Khan split between two actors and a book by Tina Andrews. Following the workshop, this was changed to one performer and Nia T. Hill replaced Andrews, and later announced to premiere in 2026 at the Peacock Theatre, however was relocated to the Hackney Empire due to renovations. The production opened on March 5, 2026, running through March 28. Directed by Racky Plews, Alexandra Burke starred as Khan, along with Paige Peddie as Taka Boom, Chanice Alexander-Burnett as Tammy Michelle / Paulette McWilliams, Charlotte St Croix as Milini Khan / Whitney Houston, Maryla Abraham as Sandra Stevens, Chrissie Bhima as Shadow Self, Sophie Earl as Joni Mitchell, Duane-Lamonte O’Garro as Hassan Khan / Luther Vandross and Miles Anthony Daley as Richard Holland / Prince.

The show received positive reception, with Pink Prince Theatre praising it as "a tour de force of biographical storytelling" and Burke's performance as "a sensation."

2026 UK tour

Following its initial run, the production then toured several cities in the United Kingdom featuring the same cast. It first transferred to the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, running from April 1 to 4, 2026, and then the Congress Theatre, in Eastbourne, running from April 7 to 11.

2026 West End return

The production was announced to return to the West End in summer 2026 after additional rewrites, including the introduction of Stevie Wonder as a character. The production is set to run from July 22 to September 27, 2026 at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. Plews and most of the cast from the previous production returned, with the additions of Ashley Stroud as Taka Boom, Jelani Munroe as Hassan Khan and Daniela Morain as Tammy Michelle. Additionally, Chrissie Bhima's role was renamed Marie Stevens and several roles were added, including Wonder, played by Samuel Sarpong-Broni, Fred Hampton, played by Teddy Wills, Steve Winwood, played by Chris Breistein and Bob Monaco, played by Grant Zavitkovsky.

Music

Musical numbers

• "I Feel For You" - Prince, Chaka Khan
• "Tell Me Something Good" - Rufus
• "Ain't Nobody" - Rufus
• "Sweet Thing" - Rufus
• "Higher Love" - Steve Winwood, Chaka Khan (backing vocals)
• "This Is My Night" - Chaka Khan
• "Eye to Eye" - Chaka Khan
• "Through The Fire" - Chaka Khan
• "I'm Every Woman" - Chaka Khan
• "Big Yellow Taxi" - Joni Mitchell

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Cast and characters