Giles Terera, who won an Olivier Award for his performance as Aaron Burr in London's Hamilton, will star as the late, legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. in an October 31 workshop of the new musical Sammy.
Featuring a book and score by Leslie Bricusse (Stop the World鈥擨 Want to Get Off; The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd), the London reading will be directed by Clarke Peters (Five Guys Named Moe).
Sammy Davis Jr. recorded more than 60 songs written by Bricusse, including his No.1 hit "The Candy Man." The musical will feature new work by Bricusse and stand-out numbers from the Bricusse and Anthony Newley songbook, including 鈥淲hat Kind of Fool Am I?,鈥� 鈥淔eeling Good,鈥� 鈥淲ho Can I Turn To?,鈥� and 鈥淭he Candy Man." Mike Dixon is the musical supervisor.
Producers are Anthology Theatre Productions and Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment. They hope to mount a full production of the show in 2020, which will mark what would have been Sammy Davis Jr.鈥檚 95th birthday.
The musical previously played a limited engagement in San Diego starring Obba Babatund茅.
