World Premiere of That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical Hollywood
Starring and Directed by Tony®, Emmy®, and Grammy®-Nominated Powerhouse N’Kenge
The extraordinary life and legacy of trailblazing entertainer Dorothy Dandridge takes center stage this winter with the world premiere of That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical is opening at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center (APAC) in Deal Park, New Jersey. Previews begin February 19, 2026, with opening night set for February 21, and performances running through March 8, 2026.
Produced by APAC in collaboration with The N’Kenge Foundation, the highly anticipated production stars internationally acclaimed songstress N’Kenge, who also conceived the musical and co-directs alongside Broadway veteran Christina Sajous (A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical).
“Dorothy Dandridge didn’t just break barriers, she redefined the standard,” says N’Kenge. “Her legacy lives in every artist who refuses to be diminished, reminding us that excellence itself can be an act of resistance.”
A Story of Brilliance, Barriers, and Unbreakable Legacy
That’s Love! honors the life of Dorothy Dandridge (1922–1965)—the groundbreaking actor and singer who became the first Black woman nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her iconic performance in Carmen Jones (1954). She was later nominated for a Golden Globe for Porgy & Bess (1959) and performed at legendary venues including the Apollo Theatre, Cotton Club, and The Mocambo in Beverly Hills.
Tracing Dandridge’s journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim, the musical reveals both the triumphs and heartbreaks she faced while navigating systemic racism and sexism in mid-century Hollywood. Through sweeping choreography, powerhouse vocals, and a lush, emotionally charged score, That’s Love! explores themes of artistry, identity, motherhood, and legacy—offering an intimate portrait of a woman fighting for dignity, agency, and her rightful place in history.
An Award-Winning Creative Powerhouse
The production brings together an exceptional creative team led by Trey Ellis (book and lyrics) and Shelton L. Becton (composer and music supervisor), who also provides original music, lyrics, arrangements, and orchestrations. Additional musical arrangements and orchestrations are by GRAMMY®-nominated artist Everett Bradley.
Choreography is by Ray Mercer (Disney’s The Lion King), costumes by David “DW” Withrow (Tony® Award-winning Cinderella), scenic design by Adam Koch (A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical), sound design by Burt Conrad (Raisin the Musical), and video design by Kylee Loera (Frozen, Fidelio). Wig design is led by Chuck LaPointe, with associate wig designer Loren Skora (MJ The Musical, SUFFS). Casting is by Michael Cassara, CSA, with Karen Schleifer serving as production stage manager alongside assistant stage managers Sydnei Williams and Daren Carollo.
A Stellar Cast Bringing Icons to Life
Leading the cast is N’Kenge as Dorothy Dandridge, joined by:
• Grace Field as Marilyn Monroe
• Hope Divine Jean as Zelda
• Dawn Derow Williams as Hedda Hopper
• Jeremy Webb as Otto Preminger
• Kristen Lyons as Vivian Dandridge
• Alexander Rios as Anthony Quinn
• Mark Campbell as Earl Mills
• Carrie Compere as Neva
The ensemble features Ivan Owens, Kiara Williams, Maya Galipeau, Spencer Bethers, Taylor Collier, and Alfred Jordan II, who also serves as dance captain and onstage swing.
From Carnegie Hall to World Premiere
That’s Love! has already built remarkable momentum ahead of its world premiere. The musical debuted with two sold-out concert performances at Carnegie Hall, followed by three sold-out shows at the New York Theatre Festival, where it earned the most nominations and the most wins of the season. Most recently, the creative team presented an exclusive, invite-only staged reading for industry professionals at the newly renovated Laurie Beechman Theater, further cementing its buzz within the theater community.
Leadership That Honors Legacy
Producers include Tony® Award-winner Willette Klausner, Tony® Award-nominee Richard Bell, Alan Steinberg (President & CEO of Park Row Equity Partners), associate producer Michael T. Clarkston (Jersey Boys), with executive producers Axelrod Performing Arts Center and The N’Kenge Foundation.
APAC Executive Artistic Director Andrew DePrisco shares, “The Axelrod Performing Arts Center couldn’t be more excited to present the world premiere of this new musical celebrating one of Hollywood’s most neglected icons. We are honored to be working with N’Kenge and her extraordinary creative team to bring this powerful story to our audiences in New Jersey.”
A First Look: Open Rehearsal for the Press
Ahead of its official opening, I had the pleasure of attending an exclusive open rehearsal for the press, where select media were given an early look at two musical numbers from the production. The intimate preview offered valuable insight into the heart of That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical provides context around the storytelling, emotional depth, and artistic vision behind the show.
Even in rehearsal form, the performances were captivating, polished, and deeply moving, offering a clear sense of what audiences can expect once the curtain rises. From the strength of the vocals to the emotional resonance of the material, it was evident that this production is something truly special—one that honors Dorothy Dandridge’s legacy with reverence, power, and undeniable star quality.
Ticket Information
That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical
📍 Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal Park, NJ
📅 February 19 – March 8, 2026
🎟️ Tickets available at axelrodartscenter.org or by phone at 732-531-9106
🚗 Free parking available; located minutes from downtown Asbury Park
Photo Credits : Genevieve Rafter Keddy.