I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical review – Queen of Funk’s jukebox epic lacks the X factor

By Ammar Kalia · The Guardian Culture

Troubadour Wembley Park theatre, London Alexandra Burke is valiant in the leading role but the superstar’s story is squandered in this sprawling and uneven show In the pantheon of soul divas, Chaka Khan is surely one of the fiercest. With a soaring, multioctave vocal range that earned accolades from Aretha Franklin and Miles Davis, as well as a chequered personal life and a stint in the Black Panthers alongside Fred Hampton, Khan’s story has long felt ripe for immortalisation in a jukebox musical. I’m Every Woman features X Factor winner Alexandra Burke in the lead role, with a book by Khan’s own creative director, Nia T Hill. Running just shy of three hours, it is a gargantuan undertaking of two uneven parts. Continue reading...