Third Season of Barbara Morrison's I WANNA BE LOVED Launches 3/15

The theatrical production "I Wanna Be Loved" starring Barbara Morrison as Dinah Washington enters its third season on March 15 at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park. Nominated for three NAACP Theatre Awards for its 2013 performances, the show begins at 4 p.m.

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. We're going into our third year because people keep wanting to see it."

"I Wanna Be Loved" co-stars singer-actor Jay Jackson as Brook 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.

John Stephens conducts the 18-piece Barbara Morrison All-Star Jazz Band in the staged tribute to Washington. Also a talented saxophonist, Stephens 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 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 in this year's 57th Grammy Awards.

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.

The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center is located at 4305 Degnan Blvd. Suite 101 in Los Angeles. For tickets, call 310-462-1469.

For further information, go to www.barbaramorrison.com.

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