Tony Award nominee Obba Babatundé has been tapped to star as Sammy Davis, Jr. in the world premiere of the new musical, "Sammy," at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre, reports Broadway.com.
The show, directed by Keith Glover, will begin previews on Sept. 19 and run through Nov. 8. Opening night is Oct. 2.
"Sammy" moves from Sammy Davis, Jr.’s days as a child working in vaudeville through his years with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin as a member of the Rat Pack. Featuring classic tunes such as “The Candy Man,” “Mr. Bojangles” and “What Kind of Fool Am I?” as well as new songs written especially for the musical, "Sammy" traces the highs and lows of the ultimate triple-threat singer, actor and dancer, who broke new ground while struggling with issues of identity, race and a turbulent personal life.
Babatundé was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance as C.C. White in the original Broadway cast of "Dreamgirls." His additional Broadway credits include the revival of "Chicago," "Grind" and "Timbuktu!" He also created the role of Jelly Roll Morton in "Jelly’s Last Jam."
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Bookmark on DeliciousLOS ANGELES " Altovise Joanne Gore Davis, a dancer and actress and the widow of Sammy Davis Jr., has died. She was 65.
Davis died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke, said Amy Malone, a publicist for her family.
Davis worked her way to the Broadway stage where she met the legendary entertainer when they performed together in the musical Golden Boy in 1967.
She became his third wife when they wed in 1970. Davis was previously married to dancer Loray White and Swedish actress Mai Britt. They adopted a son and remained together until Davis died of throat cancer in 1990 at the age of 64.
After his death she was left to sort...click to continue reading
The Sammy Davis Jr. BVConnect
