The Geffen Playhouse Theater presents a highly theatrical exploration into the soul of an American icon, singer Nat “King” Cole.
Tony and Olivier Award-nominee Colman Domingo and Patricia McGregor imagine Cole as he faces the final Christmastime broadcast of his groundbreaking 1950s variety show and weighs the advice of his friend Sammy Davis Jr. to “go out with a bang.” The many Nat “King” Cole hit songs underscore this innovative look at one of America’s greatest talents.
With musical arrangements and supervision by Grammy and Emmy Award winning music director, composer, arranger, and orchestrator John McDaniel, and featuring Local 47 musicians David Witham (conductor/keyboards), Greg Porée (guitar), Edwin Livingston (bass), and Brian Miller (drums/percussion/orchestra contractor), the show takes a grim behind-the-scenes look at the systemic racism that Cole confronted during his career and surrounding the television show of his name.
The show stars Emmy Award-nominee Dulé Hill (“The West Wing,” “Stick Fly,” “Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk”) as Nat “King” Cole and Daniel J. Watts (“Hamilton,” “Memphis”) as Sammy Davis Jr., and runs through March 24, 2019. The Geffen Theater is located at 10886 Le Conte Ave. in Westwood.
