NEWS

 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 4, 2025 / The long-awaited news of "Sammy!", The Musical brings to the Broadway stage the extraordinary life and legacy of the legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.. Since Davis's passing in 1990, there has been significant interest from Hollywood and Broadway in adapting his remarkable life story into a stage production. After decades of anticipation, the musical is finally slated to open on Broadway in the winter of 2026. 

"We are very excited to finally bring this amazing story of the life and career of Sammy Davis Jr. to Broadway and home to his birthplace in New York City where it all began." said Olu' Orange, attorney for the Sammy Davis Jr. estate. The production is spearheaded by G.G. Henderson of Mary Alice Entertainment and Kalor Marche' of Marche' Productions, along with the estates of both Sammy Davis Jr. and Arthur Silber Jr., who was Davis's manager for 22 years.

The musical's book, crafted by G.G. Henderson, is based mostly on the personal and intimate stories from Silber's book "Me and My Shadow," which was published posthumously shares their personal and professional journey together through six exciting and tumultuous decades in the entertainment industry. Sammy Davis Jr.'s career was groundbreaking, as he was one of the first African American/Latino performers to break racial barriers in segregated venues across the United States.

"Many people are surprised to learn that Sammy's mother, Evelyn Sanchez was Cuban," said Kalor Marche'. So, I am extremely proud and honored, as a Latin producer, to be involved in bringing the incredible life of Sammy Davis Jr.'s musical to the Broadway stage and back to his New York roots in Harlem.'

His journey in entertainment began at a young age as part of the Will Mastin Trio, performing with his father and uncle. Davis's career evolved from vaudeville performances to starring roles in Las Vegas nightclubs, Hollywood TV shows, films, and Broadway musicals, making him the first African American to achieve such widespread success in these arenas.

The musical will highlight not only his professional achievements, but also his personal life including challenges such as his entanglements with the mob and the media frenzy surrounding his interracial relationships with stars like Kim Novak and May Britt. Additionally, it will touch upon his unexpected marriage to Vegas dancer Loray White, which was influenced by mob threats. Despite these challenges, Davis was a staunch supporter of the Civil Rights Movement and financially backed his friend Martin Luther King Jr.

"Sammy!" will feature many of Davis's hit songs, including "Candy Man" and "Mr. Bojangles," celebrating his contributions to music and entertainment. The production promises to offer a gripping and inspiring portrayal of Davis's life, the man to whom Frank Sinatra famously referred, as "The greatest entertainer who ever lived."

Further details regarding the director and casting to follow.