Axelrod Performing Arts Center Announces That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical Starring Internationally Acclaimed Songstress N’Kenge

Tickets On Sale Today

November 21, 2025 — Today, Axelrod Performing Arts Center (APAC) announces the premiere of That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical, starring Tony®, EMMY®, and GRAMMY® Award–nominated internationally acclaimed performer N’Kenge (Motown the Musical, Caroline, or Change). Previews on February 19, 2026 in Deal Park, NJ, followed by an official opening night on February 21, 2026 at 7pm. The production will run through March 8, 2026.

Tickets go on-sale today at 2pm EST at www.axelrodartscenter.com or by calling 732-531-9106 ext. 14. APAC is conveniently located just five minutes from downtown Asbury Park and offers ample free parking.

N’Kenge – the conceiver and guiding creative force behind the show – is thrilled to be directing That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical alongside Broadway veteran Christina Sajous (A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical). Together, they lead the world premiere with an unwavering commitment to honoring Dorothy Dandridge’s legacy, bringing her story to the stage in a powerful new light. With an extraordinary creative team and elite cast, N’Kenge brings the story of the late Dorothy Dandridge to the stage in a new light. The show traces Dandridge’s triumphant journey from humble beginnings to making history as the first-ever Black woman to receive an Academy® Award nomination in the category of Best Actress. Along the way, she endures struggles and heartbreak in pursuit of her dream, while the show’s stunning choreography, powerhouse vocals, and sweeping score celebrate her life and legacy with reverence and joy. From the first number through the final curtain call, it’s an impassioned and powerful portrait of the "first Black leading lady."

Blending Broadway, jazz, blues, and cinematic storytelling, the musical follows Dandridge through defining moments—from the Apollo Theater and Harlem nightlife to Hollywood’s golden age and the glamour of Las Vegas. The show includes a Broadway elite cast of 15 members, portraying iconic figures such as Marilyn Monroe, the Nicholas Brothers, and Harry Belafonte as part of Dandridge's world, illuminating the challenges she navigated in an industry that struggled to acknowledge her greatness. At its core, That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical explores identity, artistry, motherhood, and legacy — the intimate story of a woman fighting for agency, dignity, and her place in history against extraordinary odds.

The creative team brings together award-winning talent across disciplines. Two-time EMMY® Award-winner Trey Ellis provides the book and original lyrics, while Tony® Award-winner Shelton L. Becton contributes the music and lyrics. Choreography is crafted by Ray Mercer (Disney’s The Lion King), and the musical arrangements are shaped by GRAMMY® Award–nominated artist Everett Bradley.The producing team features Michael T. Clarkston (Jersey Boys), Perri Gillon(The Last Five Years), MAC & Bistro Award Winner Dawn Derow, and TyNia René Brandon (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical). Executive Producers include multi–award-winning Y. Dolly Fox, Tony® Award-winner Willette Klausner, Tony® Award-nominated Richard Bell, and executive producer The N’Kenge Foundation.

As part of its mission, The N’Kenge Foundation supports programs that expand artistic access and education — including Beyond the Spotlight, which helps students look past the glamour and understand an artist’s full journey. Using Dorothy Dandridge’s life as a case study, the program explores the pressures, racism, financial struggles, and emotional costs she faced. Students gain tools in mindfulness, mental wellness, and basic financial literacy, learning how resilience is built, how creativity supports well-being, and why caring for both mind and money is essential for a sustainable artistic life.

That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical’s journey to the stage has already garnered significant acclaim, beginning with two sold-out nights at Carnegie Hallduring its concert debut. It continued building momentum with three sold-out performances at the New York Theatre Festival, where it earned the most nominations and secured the most wins of any production that season. And most recently, the creative team presented an exclusive, invite-only staged reading for industry professionals at the newly renovated Laurie Beechman Theater.

This past August, N’Kenge released her new album CENTERSTAGE – Live from the Ella Fitzgerald Festival, with lead single “Bewitched – Live.” The track has been rapidly rising at radio; after peaking at #22 on the Smooth Jazz Radio Airplay Chart, it recently became the No. 2 most added song in the format with six new station adds. The single also recently broke into the Smooth Jazz Global Top 50 Listener Countdown, and reaching #34 on the Smooth Jazz Global Radar Chart.

This month, N’Kenge caps off 2025 with a series of headline shows. Before jumping on as a headliner on global shows this holiday season, she’ll perform at The Club Room in New York on November 21. Check out the full confirmed itinerary below.

Catch N’Kenge this holiday season at the following locations:

11/21 New York, NY @ The Club Room, SoHo Grand Hotel

11/24  Key West, FL                                                 

11/26  George Town, Grand Cayman                      

11/27  Cozumel, Mexico       

12/23  St. Johns, Antigua

12/24  Philipsburg, St. Maarten

12/25  San Juan, Puerto Rico

12/26  Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic    

For more music & appearances, please visit Nkengemusic.com.

N’KENGE ON SOCIALS

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ABOUT N’KENGE

A five-octave vocal powerhouse, N’Kenge is redefining crossover artistry. Her single “Bewitched”, from the album CenterStage: Live from the Ella Fitzgerald Festival, soared to #2 on the smooth jazz charts and drew international acclaim from critics across Italy and South Africa. A Tony, Emmy, and Grammy-nominated performer, N’Kenge has headlined with major orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Edmonton Symphony, and Jacksonville Symphony, and performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Madison Square Garden. Her dynamic blend of classical precision and soulful expression has made her a global favorite in pop, opera, and jazz. She has appeared on Broadway in Sondheim on Sondheim, Motown: The Musical, and Caroline, or Change, originated the role of The Moon, and performed at the Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball for President Obama, televised internationally. With over 26 million TikTok views for her hit “Goosebump Moment”, N’Kenge continues to bridge classic artistry and modern audiences. In 2026, she premieres a new Motown and Rock ’n’ Roll symphonic concert with the Jacksonville Symphony, and leads the world premiere of That’s Love: The Dorothy Dandridge Musical at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center.

ABOUT N’KENGE FOUNDATION

The N’Kenge Foundation (https://www.nkengefoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) arts and education nonprofit based in New York and New Jersey. The organization creates opportunities for BIPOC youth and emerging artists through performance, mentorship, and culturally grounded programming. Its initiatives include Harmony of Heritage for Black History Month, Beyond the Spotlight for Women’s History Month, and the Are You the Next Showstopper?! National talent competition, which awards its winners a fully funded training residency in Europe. The Foundation also supports new theatrical works, community engagement events, and arts access for schools. Through performance, education, and storytelling, the N’Kenge Foundation works to uplift diverse voices and expand pathways into the performing arts.

ABOUT AXELROD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (APAC)

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center (APAC) (http://www.axelrodartscenter.com/) is a leading cultural institution on the Jersey Shore, committed to producing and presenting a diverse range of artistic performances. As a multi-disciplinary arts organization, APAC collaborates with Broadway directors, choreographers and designers to produce professionally staged musicals, ballets and cultural programs that enrich the imaginative, intellectual and creative soul of our community. Our productions showcase the talents of professional actors, dancers and singers, delivering world-class entertainment to audiences.

For more information, contact Shore Fire Media’s Rebecca Shapiro, Moya Crowley & Anna Hudson at NKengePR@ShoreFire.com