I'm Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical. More Than a Musical – A Story of Redemption, Resilience and the Woman Behind the Music

Alexandra Burke on Stage as Chaka Khan

By Esther Austin | Culture & Lifestyle Journal

I'd not known much about the life of one of music's most iconic artists until I watched I'm Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical.

Press night on Tuesday 4th August the red carpet was buzzing with anticipation and familiar faces. I found myself catching up with Sheila Ferguson, formerly of The Three Degrees, Steven Collazo from Odyssey, Junior Giscombe, Carolyn Griffey from Shalamar and Soul Train/Solar Records Co-Owner and Director, Angie Greaves and many others. Before the curtain had even risen, it felt more like a reunion of music royalty than a theatre premiere. I attended with a very special friend and photographer who was celebrating her birthday whilst capturing moments for my posts.

The performance started around 40 minutes late as we waited for the arrival of the woman herself, Chaka Khan. There was obviously a restlessness in the audience.

The musical was at the start, for me, was a slow burner. I found it a little difficult during the first 30 minutes to fully embed myself in the story as it seemed as if the show was going from scene to scene without any real depth. Whilst the music was exceptional, I found myself wanting to connect more quickly with Chaka the woman before becoming immersed in Chaka the performer. The first half could have been tighter, allowing the emotional journey to unfold with greater pace.

Alexandra Burke delivers a commanding performance as Chaka Khan. Vocally, she is outstanding. Her rich, velvety tone and remarkable range capture the spirit of Chaka without becoming an imitation. She brings both vulnerability and strength to the role, carrying it with grace and authenticity.

Alexandra Burke (centre) as Chaka Khan & the cast in I'M EVERY WOMAN, Credit Danny Kaan

It was, however, the second half of I'm Every Woman the Chaka Khan musical where the production truly came alive and where the acting seemed to morph into something more powerful and captivating and the actors voices seemed to take on a new and deeper resonance. I sat up! What impressed me most was the musical's honesty. This wasn't a sanitised version of Chaka Khan's life. It was raw, open and unapologetically human. It revealed the woman behind the icon a woman battling addiction, grief, loss and self-doubt whilst continuing to give the world unforgettable music.

Watching the production made me realise that so many of the songs we celebrated were deeply personal chapters of her own story. We danced to Through the Fire, I Feel For You and Love Has Fallen On Me, rarely stopping to consider that behind those timeless hits was a woman expressing her own hopes, heartbreak, vulnerability and resilience.

The cast of I'M EVERY WOMAN, Credit Danny Kaan

That realisation gave the music an entirely new meaning. One of the production's most powerful creative choices was Chaka's alter ego, portrayed brilliantly by Chrissie Bhima. For much of the performance I believed she was simply another character, until it became clear she represented Chaka's inner demons her addiction, fears and internal battles. Chrissie delivered the role with humour, intensity and remarkable emotional depth, making Chaka's struggle visible in a way words alone never could.

The musical also serves as a poignant reminder of an important chapter in African American history. Through Chaka Khan's association with the Black Panther movement, we are reminded of the social and political climate that shaped her life. Alongside the challenges of building a career, she was navigating life as a Black woman in a society that too often sought to diminish her worth and humanity because of the colour of her skin.

Alexandra Burke as Chaka Khan Miles Anthony Daley as Richard Holland in I'M EVERY WOMAN, Credit Danny Kaan

Against that backdrop, I'm Every Woman becomes far more than a musical.

It becomes a testimony. A testimony also of Chaka's relationships to everyone around her and her impact on their lives and vice versa and the bearing of that on who she became. Her deeply personal friendship with Prince, a sounding board, a brother from another mother and how his death deeply affected her - realising that the music industry is certainly a beast of its own and to be able to survive its sometimes insidious moments, is certainly a testimony to ones resilience and passion for ones craft and an honouring of what you know what your purpose is. The dancing too was resplendent of nostalgia, joy and breakthrough. A woman who worked with and was friends with greats such Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Robert Palmer, Gladys Knight, Mary J Blige and more speaks volumes of the woman she is.

It is Chaka Khan's opportunity to tell her story in her own voice not just the triumphs that made her a global icon, but the pain, prejudice and resilience that shaped the woman behind the music. This production is not about judging Chaka Khan's past.

It is about redemption. It is about acknowledging that even those we admire carry unseen battles, and that healing begins with honesty.

Duane-Lamonte O’Garro as Hassan Khan & Alexandra Burke as Chaka Khan in I'M EVERY WOMAN, Credit Danny Kaan

I'm Every Woman is not simply a musical celebrating Chaka Khan's greatest hits. It is a portrait of a woman who turned pain into purpose, adversity into artistry and vulnerability into strength. It reminds us that behind every iconic voice is a human story, and behind every anthem is often a battle we never knew existed.

That is Chaka Khan's legacy. And this musical in it's most final moments became clearer to me, as I felt it could have been a little shorter and more concise with it's storytelling, to possibly capture a deeper essence of Chaka's story, however, I left feeling I'd had a good night out and was happy to have been in the same room as a music icon and to have watched her story and gained a deeper insight into the woman was call Chaka Khan. It was also very honouring to see other legends turn out to support and honour not just Chaka Khan but the cast of I'm Every Woman. Then the fun and groove continued with lots of laughter at the After party hosted by Soul Train Club/Solar Records who got the crowd vibing. This too was a moment of celebration with everyone simply enjoying the essence of the evening. Dates: 22nd July to 27th September 2026 Tickets can be purchased from: https://www.imeverywomanthemusical.com/ At the Trabadour Theatre in Wembley Director Racky Plews  Producer Adrian Grant Writer Nia T Hill Choreographer Ebony Clarke Photographer: Danny Kaan Cast Members: Alexandra Burke as Chaka Khan, Jordan Frazier as Alternate Chaka, Chrissie Bhima as Marie Stevens, Ashley Stroud as Taka Boom, Charlotte St Croix as Milini Khan, Miles Anthony Daley as Richard Holland, Jelani Munroe as Hassan Khan, Sophie Earl as Joni Mitchell, Samuel Sarpong‑Broni as Stevie Wonder, Teddy Wills as Fred Hampton, Chris Breistein as Steve Winwood, Maryla Abraham as Sandra Stevens, Daniela Morain as Tammy Michelle, Grant Zavitkovsky as Bob Monaco, and an ensemble cast Chaka Khan After Party Hosts Jessie Tsang's Soul Train/Solar Records team Freddie Lee DJ Bobby Dee Nikhill Dj Nilo Jessie Tsang - Part of Business and Legal Team Thank you to Buchanan PR