Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and producer Ledisi is officially heading back to Broadway — this time in her first principal role.
Ledisi has joined the cast of the new Broadway musical Wanted as Tallulah Clarke, the mother of legendary sisters Mary and Martha Clarke. The production, formerly titled Gun & Powder, will begin previews October 15, 2026, at James Earl Jones Theatre before officially opening November 8.
She joins previously announced stars Solea Pfeiffer and Liisi LaFontaine, who will portray real-life sisters Mary and Martha Clarke — Black twin sisters in 1893 Texas who passed as white while fighting to protect their family and secure the inheritance they were denied.
“My first Broadway principal role, and I still can’t believe it,” Ledisi shared in a statement. “Theater has always been part of my vision as a storyteller. This isn’t a pivot… It’s another expansion of me.”
Set in Texas in 1893, Wanted tells the “mostly true” story of Mary and Martha Clarke, sisters who become outlaws and legends while navigating the dangerous realities of race, survival, and identity in post-Emancipation America.
The musical features a book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri — a direct descendant of the Clarke sisters — with music by Ross Baum. Direction comes from Tony nominee Stevie Walker-Webb, with choreography by Chelsey Arce.
The production first gained attention during its 2024 run at Paper Mill Playhouse, where critics praised its powerhouse score and its spotlight on Black women whose stories have often been erased from history.
While this marks Ledisi’s first principal Broadway role, she’s no stranger to the stage. She previously appeared in productions of Caroline, or Change and Hair.
Outside of theater, Ledisi has built one of the most respected careers in R&B and soul music, winning a Grammy for “Anything For You” and earning acclaim for albums including Lost & Found and The Crown. Her screen credits include Selma, Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Pose, and American Soul.
With Wanted, Ledisi adds another lane to an already expansive career — one rooted in storytelling across music, film, television, and now a leading role on Broadway.