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Keke Palmer has expressed her enthusiasm for a potential Broadway debut later this year in a production of “Fetch Clay, Make Man.” During her latest appearance on “Watch What Happens Live,” Palmer shared that she is collaborating with the renowned Debbie Allen on the project.
“I absolutely love Broadway, and I’m optimistic about participating in a show towards the end of the year,” Palmer stated. “A big shoutout to Debbie Allen, as we’re teaming up for something exciting. She previously staged a production centered on Stepin Fetchit and Muhammad Ali, and I would portray Sonji, who was Muhammad Ali’s first wife.”
Debbie Allen has a history with “Fetch Clay, Make Man,” having directed a version of it with Center Theatre Group in 2023 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre.
While Palmer noted that the upcoming production is a play rather than a musical, she expressed a keen interest in exploring both forms in the future.
For a glimpse into her thoughts, check out the clip below!
About the Play
“Fetch Clay, Make Man” delves into the intriguing dynamics between heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) and the controversial Hollywood figure, Stepin Fetchit (born Lincoln Perry), as they prepare for one of the biggest fights of Ali’s career. Crafted by award-winning playwright Will Power, the play navigates the complex relationship between these two culturally significant figures, highlighting their contrasting yet intertwined legacies.
The narrative juxtaposes Ali’s youthful vibrance with Fetchit’s troubled history as a celebrated yet critiqued performer. Both figures are depicted as they navigate the complexities of their public images while grappling with the societal upheaval of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. This narrative is not only potent and lyrical but also injects humor reminiscent of Fetchit’s performances, fostering an exploration of strength, resilience, and identity amid adversity.
Initially developed for three years, “Fetch Clay, Make Man” premiered in 2010 at the McCarter Theater Center, followed by its New York debut in 2013 at New York Theatre Workshop. Both productions were directed by Des McAnuff and featured costume designs by Paul Tazewell. Most recently, in June 2023, a new production of “Fetch Clay, Make Man” was unveiled at Center Theater Group in Los Angeles, directed by Debbie Allen and co-produced by Springhill. Over the years, the play has featured a diverse array of actors, including Sonequa Martin-Green, Ben Vereen, K. Todd Freeman, Nikki M. James, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler, Alexis Floyd, John Earl Jelks, and Edwin Lee Gibson.
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www.broadwayworld.com