Casting is complete for the world premiere of That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical, which will play The Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park, New Jersey, February 19–March 8 with an official opening February 21.

Starring in the title role will be Tony, Emmy, and Grammy nominee N’Kenge (Motown: The Musical; Caroline, or Change). N’Kenge, who also conceived the musical, will direct alongside Christina Sajous (A Wonderful World, The Louis Armstrong Musical).

The cast will also feature Grace Field as Marilyn Monroe, Hope Divine Jean as Zelda, Dawn Derow Williams as Hedda Hopper, Jeremy Webb as Otto Preminger, Kristen Lyons as Vivian Dandridge, Alexander Rios as Anthony Quinn, Mark Campbell as Earl Mills, and Carrie Compere as Neva. 

The ensemble includes Ivan Owens, Kiara Williams, Maya Galipeau, Spencer Bethers, Taylor Collier, and Alfred Jordan II, who also serves as dance captain and onstage swing.

That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical honors the life and legacy of Dandridge, the late groundbreaking actor and singer who became the first Black woman nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Carmen Jones (1954). Dandridge was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Porgy & Bess (1959) and performed at leading venues, including the Apollo Theatre, the Cotton Club, and the Mocambo Nightclub in Beverly Hills.

“Dorothy Dandridge didn’t just break barriers—she redefined the standard,” said N’Kenge in a statement. “Her legacy lives in every artist who refuses to be diminished, reminding us that excellence itself can be an act of resistance.”

The new musical features a book and lyrics by Trey Ellis with music, lyrics, arrangements, orchestrations, and music supervision by Shelton L. Becton. Additional musical arrangements and orchestrations are by Everett Bradley with choreography by Ray Mercer, costumes by David “DW” Withrow, scenic design by Adam Koch, sound design by Burt Conrad, video design by Kylee Loera, wig design by Chuck LaPointe, associate wig design by Loren Skora, and props design by Gregory Pernicone Jr. Renee Hapemanths serves as creative artist liaison with casting by Michael Cassara. 

The production stage manager is Karen Schleifer, with assistant stage managers Sydnei Williams and Daren Carollo.

Producers include Willette Klausner, Richard Bell, Alan Steinberg (President/CEO of Park Row Equity Partners), associate producer Michael T. Clarkston, plus executive producers Axelrod PAC and The N’Kenge Foundation.

Tickets are available at AxelrodArtsCenter.org.