Somi, who released the album Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba earlier this year, has been appearing at the New York Theatre Workshop in an Off-Broadway production of her original play Dreaming Zenzile since May 17. A co-production with the National Black Theatre, Dreaming Zenzile is currently scheduled to run through June 26.
The original stage play is under the direction of 2022 Tony nominee Lileanna Blain-Cruz and has already been staged at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton (N.J.) and ArtsEmerson in Boston. In addition to Somi’s lead role in telling the story of Makeba’s life, the production features a live jazz band playing both original music and reinterpretations of Makeba’s songbook. “Zenzile” is Makeba’s given name.
For tickets and more information, visit the New York Theatre Workshop website.