A new play with music about the life and work of the late writer and civil rights leader Maya Angelou continues its developmental process, ahead of a 2028 production. “Phenomenal Woman, Maya Angelou” — which takes its title from Angelou’s poem of female empowerment — is being written by Angelica Chéri and will be directed by Debbie Allen. “Phenomenal Woman” is being produced by David Michael Rich and Tami Dew Rich of Corstoria, and Todd Harris of J. Todd Harris Productions. Octopus Theatricals will serve as executive producer.
The 2028 production timeline coincides with the 100th anniversary of Angelou’s birth. Angelou is known for her work as a poet, essayist and memoirist, having authored over 30 books, including the celebrated “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” Angelou’s first collection of poetry, “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ’fore I Diiie,” was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Angelou recited her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at the 1993 Presidential inauguration, becoming only the second poet to perform a recitation at such an event. Angelou received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010. She also took to the stage, having earned a Tony Award nomination for her featured turn in the 1973 two-hander “Look Away.”
“Phenomenal Woman” previously received developmental runs at North Carolina Black Repertory Company in February 2023 and at Ensemble Theatre Houston in June 2023.
Chéri is known for her plays in the “Prophet’s Cycle” trilogy and wrote the book and lyrics for the musical “Wanted” (formerly known as “Gun and Powder”), the latter of which previously announced a 2026 Broadway run. Allen is a two-time Tony nominee for her performances in revivals of “West Side Story” and “Sweet Charity.” On Broadway, Allen previously directed the 2008 revival of “Cat on a hot Tin Roof” and is scheduled to helm the upcoming 2026 revival of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.”
“Art has the power to unite the world or to divide it, and the verses and words that Dr. Angelou blessed us with have been our guiding light in bringing her story to life on the stage,” Chéri said in a statement. “I cannot wait for the world to experience the testament to passion and compassion that is Maya Angelou, ‘Phenomenal Woman.’”
“Like Paul Laurence Dunbar, Dr. Maya Angelou was the impactful genius of her time,” added Allen. “The poetry that she delivered radiated a folk spirit of African American people that became classic and traditional. This production will dramatize and sing the soul and the essence of her being from child to legend. The audience will discover so many wonderful unknown events in her life that catapulted her to rise. I had a very personal relationship with Dr. Maya Angelou, and know her legacy resonates with thousands and thousands of young people in the performing arts today.”
“This duo of truly wonderful creatives powers the continuity of artistry, activism toward justice and cultural nurturing that was set in motion when Dr. Angelou first broke through 60 years ago,” said producer David Rich, who served as Angelou’s personal appearance agent for over a decade. “We take our responsibility toward our heroine’s legacy very seriously, and as the signing of these magnificent talents shows, we’re striving for the same high artistic standards set by Angelou and to uphold the values she embodied and asked us all to live. She often said that she wrote from the Black experience, but aimed for the human heart. She more than achieved her goal. Her wide audience cut across all identities, and we think this production will have the same universal reach.”
David Rich began the project’s development with Angelou’s late son, Guy Johnson. Tami Dew Rich has previously served as a Broadway investor, following her career as a hospital administrator. Producer Harris is a Tony nominee for co-producing “Buena Vista Social Club,” and Octopus Theatricals is the production company led by “Hadestown” and “Gypsy” producer Mara Isaacs.
“Phenomenal Woman” is co-commissioned by Corstoria and J. Todd Harris Productions with North Carolina Black Repertory Company. In addition to the aforementioned lead producers, “Phenomenal Woman” is being produced by Jameson Rich of Corstoria and Marc Marcum and Thomas Pettinelli of J. Todd Harris Productions.
