Alexandra Burke to play Chaka Khan in new West End musical
I'm Every Woman: The Musical begins in 2026
Last updated 11th Nov 2025
It's been revealed multi-platinum recording artist Alexandra Burke will play Chaka Khan in a new West End show about the life and songs of the 10-time Grammy Award-winner. I'm Every Woman: The Musical will premiere in March 2026.
News that Chaka Khan's life would be the subject of a musical first emerged in 2023, with further details being announced in May 2025. And now the full cast has been revealed for the production.
Speaking about the upcoming musical, Chaka said: "Many of you know that my life has always influenced my music - but you may not know the full story.
"I've lived a rich, beautiful, and sometimes difficult life, and now those experiences will come alive on stage in I’m Every Woman: The Musical. It’s the greatest honour to have my journey and work celebrated in this way.
"London holds a special place in my heart, and I can't wait to share this moment with the fans who have sung, danced, and stood by me through it all. I’ve always wanted to inspire joy, truth, and love - and I know this musical will be filled with all of that and more. This is for you!"
The musical depicts Chaka’s life from her time in the Black Panther Party to lead singer of the band Rufus, and onto a Grammy award-winning solo artist, who has tallied up over 100 million albums sold and downloads worldwide with hits such as ‘I Feel For You’, ‘Ain’t Nobody’, ‘This Is My Night’, ‘Through The Fire’ and ‘Eye to Eye’.
Chaka's music transcends seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical.
Speaking in 2023 at the time of the musical's announcement Chaka said: "London has a very special place in my heart, and I’m honoured that my life and music will be celebrated on a West End stage. Working with such a talented team, producer Adrian Grant, writer Tina Andrews and director Racky Plews, on my life story is a dream come true."
Who will play Chaka Khan in the new musical?
2008 The X Factor winner, Alexandra Burke, who has gone on to become an award-winning actress and multi-platinum selling artist, will play Chaka Khan in the new West End production, I'm Every Woman: The Musical.
Alexandra has huge musical credits to her name, including Sister Act, The Bodyguard, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chicago and The Addams Family (UK tour). She said, following the announcement: “Almost seventeen years ago, with my late mother by my side, I sang Chaka for my very first non-televised audition for The X Factor. To think that all these years later I’ve been given the opportunity to play the superstar that is Chaka Khan in the West End would have been simply unimaginable for me back then.
"Thank you mama for all your love and guidance as I was growing up, you are in my thoughts every day and I’ll be lovingly looking up at you every single show. This truly is a dream role for me, my first originating, and I’m still pinching myself wondering if I’m dreaming! Of course we know and love the classics I’m Every Woman, Ain’t Nobody and I Feel For You but I encourage you to dive deep into her incredible solo and Rufus catalogue, it’s timeless and iconic just like the legend herself”.
Who else is in the cast?
Jordan Frazier (Angelica Schulyler in Hamilton, West End) is lined up as alternate Chaka Khan, while the following cast has also been announced:
Paige Peddie (The Lion King) as Taka Boom Chanice Alexander-Burnett (Fantine in Les Misérables) as Tammy Michelle/Paulette McWilliams Charlotte St Croix (standby Tina Turner in TINA – The Tina Turner Musical) as Milini Khan/Whitney Houston Maryla Abraham (Coming to England) as Sandra Stevens Chrissie Bhima (Alline Bullock in TINA – The Tina Turner Musical) as Marie Stevens Sophie Earl (Lizard Boy) as Joni Mitchell Duane-Lamonte O'Garro (Kinky Boots) as Hassan Khan/Luther Vandross Miles Anthony Daley (The Drifter’s Girl) as Richard Holland/Prince Teddy Wills (Get Up Stand Up!) as Fred Hampton/Miles Davis/Grand Master Melle Mel Chris Breistein (An Officer and a Gentleman) as Steve Winwood Oliver Jacobson (Come From Away) as Bob Monaco.
The ensemble includes Samuel Sarpong-Broni (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical), Kayleigh Stephenson (We Will Rock You), Peter Houston (Hamilton), Earl Gregory (Play On!), Vanessa Dumatey (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical), Gregory Armand (Mandela), Harry Robinson (Hamilton), Zinzilé Tshuma (Thriller Live!), Oskarina O'Sullivan (Thriller Live!) and Tarik Frimpong (A Strange Loop) who is also Resident Choreographer.
What songs does the musical feature?
Songs included in the musical include: 'I Feel For You', 'Tell Me Something Good', 'Ain’t Nobody', 'Sweet Thing', 'Higher Love' and 'Through The Fire'.
When is the musical in the West End?
It will be at the Peacock Theatre, London for a limited run from 5th March to 28th March 2026. The official opening night will be on 11th March.
How to buy tickets
You can buy tickets now from Aloud.com
Who is the musical's producer?
Adrian Grant is the producer. He has worked for many years in the entertainment industry, winning Best Producer for Thriller Live at the Black British Theatre Awards in 2020, where the show also won Best Musical Production.
Speaking about I'm Every Woman: The Musical, he said: "I’m excited to be bringing a stage show about the life of Chaka Khan to the West End. I grew up listening to hits such as Ain’t Nobody and I Feel For You, with her powerhouse vocals and electric videos which have left an undeniable imprint on popular culture.
"My brilliant creative team cannot wait to present that energy on stage, with a bold and empowering new musical celebrating Chaka’s legacy and amazing catalogue of songs."
Who is director?
Racky Plews is the director, whose credits including American Idiot (West End, UK & International Tour), Footloose (West End, UK & International Tour) and Respect: The Aretha Franklin Song Book (UK Tour).
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