The Chaka Khan jukebox biomusical I'm Every Woman has found its leading lady.

Alexandra Burke (The X Factor, Sister Act, The Bodyguard, Curfew) will play Chaka Khan in the world premiere of the new musical, which will open at the Peacock Theatre in London March 11, 2026. The production will begin previews March 5 and run through March 26. 

Said Burke in a statement, “Almost 17 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.”

Joining Burke are Jordan Frazier (Hamilton) as alternate Chaka Khan, Paige Peddie (The Lion King) as Taka Boom, Chanice Alexander-Burnett (Les Misérables) as Tammy Michelle/Paulette McWilliams, Charlotte St Croix (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical) as Milini Khan/Whitney Houston, Maryla Abraham (Coming to England) as Sandra Stevens, Chrissie Bhima (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, and Oliver Jacobson (Come From Away) as Bob Monaco.

Completing the cast in the ensemble are 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). Frimpong will also serve as the resident choreographer. 

The work features a book by Nia T. Hill and will be directed by Racky Plews and choreographed by Jade Hackett.

The musical has been in the works since at least 2023, when a workshop was held in London, also directed by Plews. Hill is new to the project, succeeding former book writer Tina Andrews. Producer Adrian Grant has been leading the project, in association with Khan herself.

Along with telling the story of Khan's life and career, the musical features her most loved songs, including "I Feel For You," "Tell Me Something Good," "Ain't Nobody," "Sweet Thing," "Higher Love," "Through the Fire," and, of course, the title track. Included in Khan's story are run-ins with Joni Mitchell, Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Robert Palmer.

The Peacock production will feature musical supervision by Mark Crossland, choreography by Ebony Clarke, set design by Sara Perks, sound design by Chris Whybrow , costume design by Natalie Pryce, hair and makeup design by JJ Wigs, casting by Debbie O’Brien, associate direction by Oliver Lidert, production management by Toby P Darvill, and general management by Emily Obasohan.

Willette Klausner Murphy is co-producing for WMK Productions.

Visit ImEveryWomanMusical.com.