I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical has its world premiere in London this month before visiting Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre in early April. Covering the singer-songwriter’s decades-spanning career, the show stars X Factor winner Alexandra Burke and alternate lead performer Jordan Frazier - who developed the role in a previous iteration of the show, performing in front of Chaka Khan herself! What’s On spoke to Jordan to find out more…

Jordan, after portraying Chaka Khan multiple times over the last few years, have you developed a new appreciation for her and her music?
One hundred percent. I think what a lot of people don’t realise is that she’s gone through a lot of difficult things. We cover 50 years of her life, so you’re seeing a lot of high highs and low lows. She gets really vulnerable - Chaka has been involved [with the show] from the beginning. She was involved with the casting and the storytelling and everything. So these are all things in her life that she’s approved to include, and I think that itself takes a lot of bravery. I feel like vulnerability begets vulnerability, and it helps other people be strong when they hear somebody share their story honestly.

When this show was first birthed several years ago, we were workshopping it - I was playing Chaka Khan back then as well - and she came and saw the show. She came and watched all of us live, and watched me portray her. This time around, she’s been involved with the casting process, refining the story and making sure it feels real for her, and honest. She’s been very involved with the entire project and the process.

Has anything surprised you about Chaka, through your performance?
I feel like what’s been most interesting is listening to how she places certain words, and how she places music in her voice. She uses her voice like a true instrument, getting different qualities of sound out and being able to sing all over her range, just effortlessly - from the lowest possible range that a woman could sing to quite high. The thing that’s been really fun is listening to her songs with a different ear - how she’s pronouncing each of the words and how she’s placing it with her distinctive style.

You’re sharing this role with Alexandra Burke - what does that entail for you?
As of now, I’m the first cover and the alternate, all rolled into one. I have my scheduled shows, but also, if she ever goes down, I’m up! I feel super-equipped for it because I covered four different complete roles in Hamilton before this. It’s really fun to sink your teeth into playing somebody who’s still alive. We still have the privilege [of being able] to ask her questions, and get direct answers, rather than trying to find out stuff through hearsay.

Was it nerve-wracking to perform in front of Chaka Khan herself?
It’s such a unique experience and very surreal. Having the person you’re acting as walk into the room and watch your performance is probably one of the most intimidating things ever. But she was really kind and really supportive. It’s just a privilege to be in her presence. I mean, she truly is music royalty - she’s worked with everyone under the sun. It’s really nice that I’ve been able to embody the character in the previous iteration, and this is the second chance to go even deeper. We have a little bit more time in the rehearsal process, so I’m really enjoying going in the archives and looking at all the footage online - her interviews when she was really young, all the way to the present day, even recently at the Grammys. I love singing all of her material, and it’s just so fun and empowering. There’s so much joy infused into all of her work. 
Speaking of music royalty, Chaka has crossed paths with many famous artists through the years, some of whom are brought to the stage in this production...

She’s worked with everyone under the sun. She’s worked with Joni Mitchell, Prince, Stevie Wonder - those are all people we have in the show. She’s worked with Whitney, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Rick James, Phil Collins, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson - who wrote I’m Every Woman - Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Miles Davis… I mean, just icons. The icons that you know about were fangirling over her - Whitney Houston was learning under her wing.

You’re visiting Coventry for just four days - why is this a production not to be missed?
This show is about overcoming; about resilience. There’s so much that I’m sure you don’t know about Chaka’s life that is just so shocking and incredible. We cover all the highs and lows; we’re not sugar-coating anything. That’s the most enthralling part about the show - you really get to find out about her as a human, you know? We get to explore her unwavering passion for civil rights, her defiance in the face of a toxic music industry, the harrowing road through addiction, the unrelenting pressure of being a working mother. Many people can relate to one of those things at least. I just think that it’s going to be a story that everyone will be able to connect with in a really deep way. It really covers some universal concepts of battling with the self, intrusive thoughts and battling with your own demons.

We’re going to have a wonderful time. You're going to be tapping your toes! And, of course, we’re including all of her most iconic songs. All those songs that you’d want to be in the show, we’ve included as many of them as possible. And on top of that, you’re going to get a really riveting story. I’m excited!

I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical shows at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre from Wednesday 1 to Saturday 4 April

By Jessica Clixby