Sammy, the New Musical, Now on Sale at Old Globe

By Kenneth Jones
23 Aug 2009

Sammy star Obba Babatundé
Sammy star Obba Babatundé
Photo by Craig Schwartz

Single tickets for the world premiere biographical musical, Sammy, about late showman Sammy Davis Jr., go on sale Aug. 23 at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Famed songwriter Leslie Bricusse penned book, music and lyrics for the show about his showbiz pal.

Until now, tickets to Sammy had been available by subscription only. For single tickets (on sale at 10 AM, PT) visit www.TheOldGlobe.org or call (619) 23-GLOBE.

Directed by Keith Glover with choreography by Keith Young and music supervision by Ian Fraser, Sammy will run Sept. 19-Nov. 8. Opening night is Oct. 2.

The new musical is based on the life of singer-dancer-actor Sammy Davis, Jr. with book, music and lyrics by Bricusse, and additional songs by Bricusse and Anthony Newley.

The cast will be headed by the previously reported Broadway veteran and Tony Award nominee Obba Babatundé as Davis.

Babatundé will be joined by Heather Ayers (May Britt/Ensemble), Ann Duquesnay (Rosa Davis), Mary Ann Hermansen (Kim Novak/Ensemble), Adam James (Frank Sinatra), Troy Britton Johnson (Dean Martin/Cohn/Jennings/Ensemble),Ted Louis Levy (Sammy Davis, Sr.), Keewa Nurullah (Lola Folana/Ensemble), Perry Ojeda (Eddie Cantor/Ensemble), Victoria Platt (Altovise Gore/Ensemble), Lance Roberts (Will Mastin), Alonzo Saunders (Murphy/Ensemble) with Jenelle Engleson, Stephanie Girard, Lauren Haughton, Anise Ritchie and Sarrah Strimel (Ensemble).

According to The Old Globe, "Sammy traces the highs and lows of the ultimate triple-threat singer, actor and dancer. Davis became one of the greatest performers of his generation, paving new ground while struggling with issues of identity, race and a turbulent personal life."

The creative team also includes Alexander Dodge (scenic design), Fabio Toblini (costume design), Chris Lee (lighting design), John H. Shivers (sound design), David Patridge (sound design), Ned Ginsburg (orchestrator), Rahn Coleman (music director/conductor), Dominique Kelley (assistant choreographer), and David Sugarman (stage manager).