Barbara Morrison to Star as 'Dinah Washington' in Madrid Theatre Debut, 8/29-30

Grammy-nominated singer Barbara Morrison stars as Dinah Washington in "I Wanna Be Loved" in the hit musical's debut performances on Aug. 29-30 at the Madrid Theatre.

"I Wanna Be Loved" is in its third season and co-stars Jay Jackson as Brook Benton and features the John Stephens-led 18-piece Barbara Morrison Jazz Band. The musical tribute to Washington was nominated for three NAACP Theatre Awards for its 2013 performances.

Morrison, a three-time Grammy nominated artist, and Michael Cormier co-wrote "I Wanna Be Loved." It tells the story of Washington's life and loves during a legendary career that ended in her accidental death at age 39 in 1963.

"I wanted to tell a story about her entire life and named it 'I Wanna Be Loved' because it best explained her life," Morrison said. "She had seven husbands (including Detroit Lions star Dick 'Night Train' Lane at the time of her death) and her mother never supported her secular career and never came to see her perform. Her mother wanted her to stay in gospel, where she began. It's a killer show and we've had real good success with it in Los Angeles and San Francisco. We're excited to bring it to the Madrid. It's a wonderful theatre."

Jackson, a Lou Rawls-style singer and actor with television and feature film supporting role credits, plays Benton, who had a pair of crossover rhythm-and-blues and pop hits with Washington in 1960. Washington had hits on both charts, most famously with the powerful "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes!" in 1959. She was known as the "Queen of the Blues" and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Stephens, also a talented saxophonist, was nominated for Best Musical Director-local for "I Wanna Be Loved." The show also received nominations for Best Producer-local for Harold Garrison and Mara and Ron New and Morrison for Best Costumes-Local.

The Los Angeles-based Morrison was nominated in 2014 for her vocals, along with Ernie Andrews, for "The L.A. Treasures Project" performed with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra in the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album category.

Morrison's latest CD, released last June, "I Love You, Yes I Do," featuring saxophonist Houston Person reached No. 4 on the JazzWeek.com national chart in July. It spent three straight weeks in the top 10 and eight in the top 20.

Tickets for "I Wanna Be Loved" are $65, $40 and $30. For all online ticketing please use this link to go directly to Barbara Morrison's Madrid event: www.eventbrite.com/e/barbara-morrison-i-wanna-be-loved-tickets-17556784816 or call (310) 462-1439 (direct). The 400-seat theatre is located at 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303.

For further information on Barbara Morrison, go to www.barbaramorrison.com.