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N'Kenge

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Grammy and Emmy-nominated and International Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, actress and producer N’KENGE (pronounced “nuh-KEN-JEE”) has incredible versatility and range that is virtually unmatched. She has been heralded by the New York Times as “a classically trained diva that can stretch from Broadway to Pop, Soul and Opera.” Trained at both The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music, N’Kenge’s vocal and musical range spans five octaves, 11 languages and multiple genres.

Born and raised in The Bronx, N’Kenge began honing her artistic talents at a very young age. Starting music lessons at age 3 and earning a scholarship at age 6, the young artist’s musical talents skyrocketed her through winning national vocal competitions and scholarships all the way to performing at world-renowned venues, such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and Madison Square Garden. N’Kenge has performed throughout all corners of the US as well as Europe, Israel, and the Czech Republic.

She has also sung for Presidents and Dignitaries around the globe, including President Clinton and for President Obama’s historical Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball.

Winner of both the Leontyne Price and Lena Horne Vocal competitions, N’Kenge has proven her talents are boundless. She has captivated audiences across the globe, transitioning seamlessly between concerts in pop, jazz, soul, R&B, swing, opera, American Songbook, and Broadway musicals. In addition, her acting skills won her nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical by the Helen Hayes Awards and the Arizoni Theater Awards.

Starring on both West End, London and Broadway, N’Kenge has won wide critical acclaim. The NY Post called her performance of Mary Wells in Broadway’s Motown: The Musical, “Electrifying!” The legendary Motown Records label Founder, Berry Gordy, describes N’Kenge as “the most versatile artist I know.” More recently, New York Magazine praised N’Kenge’s vocal performance in the Broadway hit musical, Caroline, or Change, as “soaring, pure, effortless, gorgeous.”

Today, N’Kenge continues to prove that she’s not resting on her laurels. Later this year, she will star in two Broadway-bound musicals - one entitled Dangerous, written by John Introcaso and Michael Colby - and the other that she also conceived and produced on the life and legacy of the groundbreaking actress, Dorothy Dandridge, that will be premiering at Carnegie Hall in July 2022. N’Kenge also wrote and created Forever Summer - a Tribute to Donna Summer that is slated for a premier at Carnegie Hall next season. N’Kenge has developed a new TV musical series, BLACK BUTTERFLY, that she created as well as co-wrote with award-winning writer Mary McCallum and is co-producing the show with TV producer Gina Goff.

With all of her life achievements and accolades, N’Kenge shows no signs of slowing down. Watch out for this incredible multi-talented artist coming to a stage or screen near you!

N'Kenge Photos

N'Kenge STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway Revival, 2021
The Moon

[New York]
Encores! Production, 2017
Mother Hare

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2013
Ensemble

[Broadway]
Roundabout Production, 2010
Performer (Standby)

PLEASE CHANGE:



Motown the Musical [Broadway]

Original Broadway Production

Ensemble*



* Change to Mary Wells

 



N'Kenge Videos

N'Kenge News


N'Kenge to Star in DOROTHY DANDRIDGE! THE MUSICAL Directed by Tamara Tunie at the New York Theater Festival


Experience the power and talent of N'Kenge in Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical at New York Winter Theater Festival. Celebrate the legacy of a fearless pioneer and the first African-American Woman to receive an Oscar Nomination. Get your tickets now!

Gotham Jazz To Celebrate 1st Anniversary Celebration At Somewhere Nowhere, June 14


Somewhere Nowhere (112 W. 25th Street), a stunning rooftop lounge and nightclub will celebrate the 1 year anniversary of hosting Gotham Jazz on Wednesday, June 14th with some of NYC's most talented musicians and performers including Broadway star Derrick Davis (Lion King, Carousel, and Phantom of the Opera) as well special Emmy, Grammy and Tony-nominated Broadway guest performer N'Kenge Simpson.

Broadway's N'Kenge To Lead Open Industry Reading Of FUN WITH JANE


New York City will see a public industry reading of the new stage musical Fun With Jane on Saturday, June 10 at the Port Washington Library Stage.

Broadway's N'Kenge Headlines The Richmond Symphony In LEGENDS �" A Salute To The Divas Of Jazz, Opera, Pop, And Soul On May 13


From Broadway to Motown to Hollywood and the Concert Stage, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Nominated Songstress, N'Kenge salutes the divas of jazz, opera, pop, and soul.

Photos: Penny Arcade's LONGING LASTS LONGER Opens At The Players Club


On Thursday, April 27th White Horse Theater Company in association with Salt Pillar Productions presented the legendary Penny Arcade and her show Longing Lasts Longer at the prestigious private members club, The Players NYC (16 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY 10003). The piece was written, conceived, and performed by Arcade, with design and direction by Steve Zehentner. See photos from the evening.

Broadway and Opera Star N'KENGE Will Host Benefit For The Youth Foundation Of Jersey City in May


Tony, Grammy, and Emmy-nominated vocalist N'Kenge will bring her talents from Broadway to Jersey City for a good cause. On May 3, she will host the second annual 'A Night of Broadway,' a benefit concert featuring artists based in Jersey City, to support the Youth Foundation of Jersey City.

N'Kenge Joins Alpine Theatre Project's IN THE MOOD: an Evening of Big Band Swing


Broadway and Opera star N'Kenge is in Whitefish rehearsing with Alpine Theatre Project on their first show of the year, In the Mood: an Evening of Big Band Swing. N'Kenge returns to Whitefish along with one of America's most electrifying tap dancers, DeWitt Fleming Jr, for a new version of last year's hit salute to nostalgic big band music.

Photos: Broadway & Opera Star N'Kenge Dazzles With Houston Symphony In A VERY MERRY POPS


Back by popular demand, Broadway star N'Kenge made her joyous return to the Houston Symphony as featured guest artist for A Very Merry Pops, a three-night holiday concert series, led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski. The series took place from December 15-18, 2022 at The Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in Houston. See photos from the concert.

12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Philadelphia Awards; Kimmel center Leads Favorite Local Theatre!


The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Philadelphia Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Stats Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Philadelphia Awards; at Theatre in the X Leads Best Ensemble Performance!


The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Philadelphia Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Broadway & Opera Star N'Kenge Headlines With Houston Symphony For A VERY MERRY POPS Concerts


This holiday season Broadway star, N'Kenge will make her joyous return to the Houston Symphony as featured guest artist for A Very Merry Pops, a three night holiday concert series, led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski.

N'Kenge to Headline A VERY MERRY POPS Concerts With Houston Symphony in December


This holiday season Broadway star, N'Kenge will make her joyous return to the Houston Symphony as featured guest artist for A Very Merry Pops, a three night holiday concert series, led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski. The performances will take place on December 15th, 17th and 18th, 2022.

Broadway & Opera Star N'Kenge Headlines With Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra For Holiday Concerts


This holiday season Broadway and Opera star, N'Kenge will make her highly-anticipated debut with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra to headline Home for the Holidays, a special three-day holiday concert series. The performances will take place on November 25th, 26th and 27th, 2022 at Bass Performance Hall.

Broadway Songstress N'Kenge Stars in Donna Summer Tribute Show


The summer may be over this year, but Broadway actress, singer and producer, N'Kenge, keeps the heat up in her one woman musical tribute, Forever Summer - a Tribute to Donna Summer. This fall, N'Kenge brings her electrifying talents to the Adrienne Theater (located at 2030 Sansom Street) in the heart of Philadelphia, performing all the hits by the Queen of Disco in one explosive show.

Jeannette Bayardelle, N'Kenge & More Will Take Part in Healing TREE Gala


The 501(c)(3) nonprofit Healing TREE (Trauma Resources, Education & Entertainment) is hosting their annual, star-studded Gala for the first time ever in New York City (as well as live-streamed online) on Saturday, October 22nd at 7pm est at The Players, a membership club in Edwin Booth’s Gothic Revival-style Gramercy Park mansion. 

Photos: Inside the Two-Night Presentation Of THE SONGS OF DOROTHY DANDRIDGE! THE MUSICAL at Carnegie Hall


Producers Richard Bell, N’Kenge, Park Row Equity Partners, Tegan Summer, Sam Williams, Michael Loeb and Derow Enterprises, in association with Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts and LBlakes Partners, recently presented “The Songs of Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical,” at Zankel Hall in Carnegie Hall. Check out photos here!

THE SONGS OF DOROTHY DANDRIDGE! THE MUSICAL Announced At Zankel Hall At Carnegie Hall


Producers Richard Bell, N'Kenge, Park Row Equity Partners, Tegan Summer, Sam Williams, Michael Loeb and Derow Enterprises, in association with Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts, announce the presentation of “The Songs of Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical,” selections from the upcoming production of Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical, with book and lyrics by Trey Ellis and music and lyrics by Shelton L. Becton, directed by Tamara Tunie at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall.

National Concerts Presents Broadway And Opera Star N'Kenge as Guest Soloist In Suffrage Cantata At Carnegie Hall


NYC Broadway and Opera vocalist N'Kenge returns to the world famous Carnegie Hall for a special one-night performance of the groundbreaking Suffrage Cantata, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Womens' Suffrage Movement, by award-winning composer, Andrea Ramsey.

Alpine Theatre Project Goes Back In Time With A Full Big Band Tribute To The Swing Era


New York City's Broadway and Opera star N'Kenge returns to Whitefish with one of America's most electrifying tap dancers, DeWitt Fleming Jr, for a special Valentine's Day weekend performance of nostalgic big band music.

Broadway/Opera Star N'Kenge Headlines Holiday Concerts With Seattle Symphony


This holiday season Broadway star, N'Kenge makes her debut with Seattle Symphony to headline three festive nights of holiday concerts. The performances will be on December 10th, 11th and 12th, 2021 at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium in Benaroya Hall.

N'Kenge FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has N'Kenge been in?

N'Kenge has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has N'Kenge been in?

N'Kenge has not appeared in the West End

How many Broadway shows has Beatrice Kimmel been in?

Beatrice Kimmel has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Beatrice Kimmel been in?

Beatrice Kimmel has not appeared in the West End

How many Broadway shows has N'Kenge been in?

N'Kenge has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has N'Kenge been in?

N'Kenge has not appeared in the West End.

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