World Premiere LITTLE GIRL BLUE - THE NINA SIMONE MUSICAL Comes to George Street Playhouse

The world premiere of Little Girl Blue - The Nina Simone Musical-a powerful new show exploring the life of American icon Nina Simone, as told through her own words and groundbreaking music-will kick off 2019 at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, NJ.

Written by Laiona Michelle (Broadway's Amazing Grace), also starring as Nina Simone in a passionate breakout role, this exuberant premiere musical reveals a life in-between the black and white keys, a journey from classical piano child prodigy to the High Priestess of Soul, told through the beloved songs of Nina Simone.

"Arriving on the advent of Nina Simone's 2018 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, this extraordinary musical could not be coming at a more appropriate time," George Street Playhouse's Artistic Director David Saint said.

Writer and star Laiona Michelle previously appeared at George Street in the theatre's 2017 production of American Hero, opening to critical acclaim and delivering what The Star-Ledger called an "electric performance" that "simmers and crackles as a live wire."

"In this piece, Laiona is unbelievable. She truly becomes Nina Simone," Saint continued. "This past summer, she sang a single song at a preview here on our theatre's pavillion, and the crowd went wild."

In November 2018, Michelle also sang select pieces from the show at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in a special preview performance.

"Nina Simone has always been a kindred spirit to me," Michelle said. "This is a gut-wrenching, hypnotic concert in two acts. We go on a rollercoaster ride together with her, just wanting to be loved and accepted for who she was as a woman and that fight that continued to the day she died."

Taking place between 1968 and 1976, with flashbacks to Simone's formative years as a child and young adult, Little Girl Blue - The Nina Simone Musical explores Simone's experiences and involvement throughout the American Civil Rights Movement while also examining the personal trials, tribulations, and relationships that further inspired her repertoire of hit songs.

"I feel like introducing this show at George Street Playhouse is the perfect marriage for me," Laiona Michelle added. "I'm so glad to be able to debut Little Girl Blue here."

Tickets begin as low as $25 and are already in high-demand. Audiences are encouraged to buy now to secure their seats. Multi-play subscription packages, offering the very best seats at the best prices, are also still available.

This world premiere production will take the stage under the vision of of award-winning Director-Choreographer Devanand Janki, who has appeared as a performer on Broadway in Cats, Miss Saigon, The King and I and Side Show. He is the Artistic Director of Live & In Color, which develops new plays and musicals for diverse artists.

The creative team will feature Shoko Kambara (Set Designer) and costumes referencing some of Nina Simone's most famous appearances by Ari Fulton. It is rounded out by Xavier Pierce (Lighting Designer), Karin Graybash (Sound Design), Mark Fifer (Musical Direction & Arrangements), and Ernie Fimbres (Stage Management).

To purchase a subscription, find tickets, or for more information, visit the George Street Playhouse website at www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org, or call the box office at 732-246-7717.

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