FELA's Kevin Mambo Joins Cast of Nina Simone Biopic

Blackfilm.com reports that two-time Emmy winner and Broadway actor Kevin Mambo (‘Fela!) has joined the cast of the upcoming Nina Simone biopic, NINA. The actor, who will star opposite Zoe Saldana and Mike Epps, will take on the role of Gille, a french guitarist who was a member of Simone's band. 

Cynthia Mort wrote and directs the biopic which tells the story of late jazz musician and classical pianist Nina Simone. It  will follow her rise to fame as well as her relationship with her manager Clifton Henderson, portrayed by David Oyelowo. Epps will play comedian Richard Pryor in the film, who was the opening act for Simone in the early '60's. 

Production is now underway in Los Angeles. Mark Burton, Barnaby Thompson, Stuart Parr and Ben Latham Jones are producing. 

Mambo was last seen on Broadway playing famed musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in the musical production ‘Fela!‘ The actor is currently portraying Mafala Hatimbi in the National Tour of ‘The Book of Mormon' through November 25, 2012. His other theater credits include the critically acclaimed off-Broadway production ‘Ruined,’ which won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for drama.

A talented musician in his own right, his film credits include ‘Cadillac Records’ where his character played the guitar. He won a Daytime Emmy for Younger Actor in a Drama Series in 1996 and 1997 for his work on the now-cancelled soap opera ‘Guiding Light.’

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski

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