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THE DOROTHY DANDRIDGE STORY - key art concepts (12).png

Axelrod Performing Arts Center & The N'Kenge Foundation Present

THAT'S LOVE!
THE DOROTHY DANDRIDGE MUSICAL

February 19 - March 8, 2026

A dazzling new musical inspired by the life of Dorothy Dandridge, the first Black woman nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. 

That's Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical blends Broadway, jazz, blues, and a cinematic storytelling style to illuminate the triumphs and the turmoil of a woman who changed what it meant to be a star.

Dorothy’s life and journey unfolds as a portrait of a trailblazer who pushed past every barrier placed in front of her and became the blueprint for the artists who followed.

From the Apollo Theater to the golden age of Hollywood, from Harlem cabarets to the bright lights of Las Vegas, her world bursts to life onstage with sweeping music, electric choreography, and unforgettable figures including Marilyn Monroe, the Nicholas Brothers, Harry Belafonte, and others.

Audiences are invited into the glamour, heartbreak, and fierce ambition of a woman who broke through ceilings.

At its heart, That's Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical explores identity, artistry, motherhood, and legacy — the intimate story of a woman fighting for agency, dignity, and her place in history against impossible odds.

3, 5, 7: SUBSCRIBE & SAVE!

Save 30% on tickets and secure the best available seats when you book three, five, or seven 2026 theatrical performances at Axelrod Performing Arts Center and/or Bell Theater at Bell Works! 

Book & Original Lyrics by
TREY  ELLIS

Original Music & Lyrics by 
SHELTON  L.  BECTON

Arranged by
EVERETT  BRADLEY

Conceived by 
N'KENGE

Directed by
N'KENGE & CHRISTINA  SAJOUS

Choreography by 
RAY  MERCER

PERFORMANCE & TICKET INFO

Scheduled Performances

PREVIEWS​

Thursday 2/19 @ 2pm

Friday 2/20 @ 7pm

OPENING NIGHT

Saturday 2/21 @ 7pm

REGULAR PERFORMANCES

Sunday 2/22 @ 3 pm

Wednesday 2/25 @ 11am (student matinee)

Thursday 2/26 @ 2pm

Friday 2/27 @ 7pm

Saturday 2/28 @ 2pm & 7pm (pay what you choose)

Sunday 3/1 @ 3pm

Wednesday 3/4 @ 2pm

Thursday 3/5 @ 7pm

Friday 3/6 @ 7pm

Saturday 3/7 @ 2pm & 7pm

Sunday 3/8 @ 3pm

THE CREATIVES

Book & Original Lyrics by

Trey Ellis

Directed by

N’Kenge & Christina Sajous

Original Music & Lyrics by

Shelton L. Becton

Choreography by

Ray Mercer 

Arranged  by

Everett Bradley 

Executive Producers

Willette Klausner, Richard Bell, Y. Dolly Fox

Conceived by

N'Kenge

Produced by

Michael T. Clarkston, Perri Gillon, TyNia Brandon, Dawn Derow

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© 2025 Axelrod Performing Arts Center

CONTACT US

Box Office

Monday - Friday, 10AM - 1PM

732-531-9106

boxoffice@axelrodartscenter.org

The Box Office is closed for the following holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

VISIT US

Axelrod Performing Arts Center

100 Grant Ave

Deal Park, NJ 07723

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The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is completely wheelchair accessible and provides a variety of assistive services upon request including hearing assistive devices at all performances, scheduled sign language interpreting, audio description, and sensory seminars are available at certain performances and upon request.  Contact the box office directly at 732-531-9106.

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