Tavis Smiley Launches Nationwide Multi-Media Tour Based On His Best-Selling Book 'Death Of A King'

Tavis Smiley, in partnership with Mills Entertainment, the leading producer of alternative and branded live entertainment, announce the initial dates for the nationwide tour of DEATH OF A KING: A LIVE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE. This multi-media stage presentation of Smiley's best-selling book, Death of A King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year commemorates the upcoming 50th anniversary of King's death. Tickets are on sale beginning Friday, November 3.

The widely anticipated tour, sponsored by Walmart, will launch on Dr. King's birthday, January 15, 2018 at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn, New York. Smiley narrates this joyful tribute that tells the little-known story of Dr. King's final year. Against all the odds and with his popularity in deep decline, King summoned the courage, conviction, commitment and character to bring a message of peace, equality and justice to a bitterly divided nation. Joining Smiley will be jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, the genius of modern piano, performing stirring original compositions. Roberts' new album, Trio Crescent: Celebrating Coltrane debuts later this month. Tony Award-winning Broadway and film director Kenny Leon (A Raisin In The Sun, The Mountaintop, August Wilson's Fences) serves as Creative Consultant.

The tour will run through April stopping in Memphis on April 4th, the anniversary of Dr. King's assassination in the same city, and is currently scheduled to visit 40 markets. This stage presentation brings together elements of historic and evocative imagery and stirring live music with eloquent prose, declaring the truth of the impact that one man's integrity and strong faith in humanity had on the American people, and people across the globe- a truth as timely today as it was 50 years ago.

"I'm excited to partner with Mills on such an important and timely project and look forward to kicking this off in Brooklyn," said Smiley. "In our current political climate, DEATH OF A KING represents a narrative shift that's not just about the normal discussion of left versus right and conservative versus liberal, but really a reset of our deepest values. Dr. King said in 1968 we needed a revolution of values, and 50 years later, DEATH OF A KING aims to reunite America with its best self."

"Tavis' performance is a true tour-de-force, radiating unmatched energy and commitment to social change through the monumental story of Dr. King. Tavis is the best possible narrator for this essential piece of theatre," said Michael Mills, CEO of Mills Entertainment. "Mills is privileged to work with Tavis in bringing the final and untold year of Dr. King to audiences across the country at this pivotal moment in American history."

Smiley's book Death of A King is a New York Times best-seller and is being developed as a television event series with Emmy Award winner J.J. Abrams and Smiley executive producing, in partnership with Warner Bros. Television. Smiley's PBS late-night talk show, Tavis Smiley, is currently in its 14th successful season.

For show times, tickets and additional information about this unique and not-to-be-missed event, please visit www.DeathOfAKingTour.com.

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