Debbie Allen and playwright Angelica Chéri are joining forces for Phenomenal Woman, Maya Angelou, a new play with music celebrating the life, work, and enduring influence of Dr. Maya Angelou. The production — the first and only stage work authorized by Angelou’s estate — is set for a 2028 world premiere in honor of her centennial year.
Produced by David Michael Rich and Tami Dew Rich of Corstoria, alongside Todd Harris of J. Todd Harris Productions and Octopus Theatricals as executive producer, the project will explore Angelou’s journey from childhood to global icon through a blend of storytelling, song, and poetry.
Allen, a two-time Tony nominee and Kennedy Center Honoree, will direct. Known for her mastery of movement and emotion in projects like Fame and Grey’s Anatomy, Allen brings a deeply personal touch to the work, having shared a close relationship with Angelou. Chéri, whose credits include Wanted (Gun and Powder) and The Prophet’s Cycle, weaves the production’s narrative with the lyrical richness that has defined her rising career.
The play has already seen early development at the North Carolina Black Repertory Company and Houston’s Ensemble Theatre. David Michael Rich, who represented Angelou for more than a decade, began developing the piece with her late son, Guy Johnson. The team envisions Phenomenal Woman as both an intimate portrait and a cultural celebration of Angelou’s impact across literature, music, education, and activism.
Dr. Angelou’s influence continues to reach far beyond the page. Her works — including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings — have sold millions of copies and remain required reading around the world. Her words have been quoted by everyone from Beyoncé to Simone Biles, and her likeness now appears on U.S. coinage — cementing her as one of America’s most cherished voices.
In addition to directing Phenomenal Woman, Maya Angelou, Allen will helm the upcoming Broadway revival of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and is developing Polly: The Musical, a stage adaptation of the beloved 1989 Disney film she originally directed. Both projects reflect her continued commitment to telling powerful and joyful Black stories on stage.
Phenomenal Woman, Maya Angelou stands as both tribute and testimony — honoring a woman whose artistry, activism, and words continue to move hearts and shape culture across generations.