Review: I’m Every Woman A – The Chaka Khan Musical (Wembley Park Theatre)
Danny Kaan
Get ready to go back in time to witness the untold story of 10-time Grammy Award winner and global icon Chaka Khan, played by the incredible Alexandra Burke (Sister Act, The Bodyguard, Chicago, The X Factor winner 2008).
I’m Every Woman tells the story of the life of icon Chaka Khan—her path, her words, her story, her life. A time where it was not always easy finding who she was, together with the desire for drugs and alcohol, meeting the wrong people, and losing herself. The show features Chaka Khan’s much-loved songs, such as "Ain't Nobody", "Sweet Thing", and "Higher Love".
Alexandra Burke is joined by Jordan Frazier as the Chaka Khan alternate.
The principal cast includes Chrissie Bhima as Marie Stevens, Ashley Stroud as Taka Boom, and Charlotte St. Croix taking on the roles of Milini Khan and Whitney Houston.
Bringing several music legends and key figures to life, Miles Anthony Daley plays Richard Holland and Prince, Jelani Munroe plays Hassan Khan and Luther Vandross, Teddy Wills appears as Fred Hampton and Miles Davis, Chris Breistein performs as Steve Winwood, and Sophie-Louise Dann stars as Joni Mitchell. The main cast is completed by Samuel Sarpong-Broni (Charles Stevens / Yoruba Priest), Maryla Abraham (Sandra Stevens), Daniela Morain (Tammy Michelle / Paulette Williams), and Grant Zavitovsky (Bob Monaco).
They are supported by a dynamic ensemble featuring Nay-Nay, Conor Wilkins, Lara Beth-Sas, Gregory Armand, Zinzilé Tshuma, Ryan Hughes, and Oskarina O'Sullivan, alongside off-stage swings Amara Campbell, Nimi Spiff, Kazmin Borrer, Ryan Webb, and Spin.
The end of Act One was a bit rushed. We were at the low point of Chaka’s life—she had taken an overdose and was brought to the hospital, leaving us with a cliffhanger between Chaka and the male nurses. Shortly after, she was back, pregnant, and trying to shoot her husband.
During Act Two, there was a beautiful scene between Chaka and her new husband, Richard. They used dancers to replace the main characters without me even noticing, and it was really stunning—a love scene that eventually ended in a fight.
The songs are a jukebox of Chaka’s career, and they are really well chosen. More intimate songs were made even stronger through the use of projections like rain, smoke, and small effects around the stage, which gave us a full, immersive experience. At one point, they are at a fair with a projection of a Ferris wheel behind them, when suddenly a set piece comes down and it actually looks like they are riding it.
Sophie-Louise Dann’s voice as Joni Mitchell is incredible. During some of the songs, they also use an extra camera to zoom in on the characters and project them live behind the stage, which creates a very cool effect.
(Just a warning if you are highly sensitive or suffer from migraines/epilepsy: they use strobe lights, and during those live camera angles, the projection isn't always completely steady, which made me feel a bit dizzy and nauseous).
Now she is one of the most influential voices of our time.
I’m Every Woman - The Chaka Khan Musical is playing until 22 September at Wembley Park Theatre - Buy your tickets here.
Star rating: ★★★★
