MAKEBA COMES TO LIFE: Somi Kakoma stars as South African musician and activist Miriam Makeba in “Dreaming Zenzile,” at McCarter Theatre January 20 through February 13.

McCarter Theatre Center presents the world premiere musical Dreaming Zenzile, based on the life of Miriam Makeba, written and performed by Grammy-nominated international music star Somi Kakoma, known as Somi, January 20 through February 13.

“At her final concert, Makeba delivers the performance of her life, raising the conscience and consciousness of a people,” reads a press release on the show. “But the ancestors are calling — transporting her through the music and fractured memories of her past on a spiritual journey of reconciliation.”

Created and performed by Somi, and directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, the jazz musical comes to life seven years after Somi started working on the project, and more than a year into the pandemic. Its premiere at The Repertory Theater of St. Louis was halted days before its original opening night in March 2020. Determined to bring Makeba’s inspirational story to the stage, seven celebrated producing organizations joined forces to re-activate the show. This “rolling world premiere” brings together Octopus Theatricals (Hadestown Broadway,) Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, McCarter, New York Theatre Workshop, Arts Emerson, and National Black Theatre.

Makeba was one of the first African singers to make it big around the world, after appearing on The Steve Allen Show in 1959. In the early ’60s, she sang at President John F. Kennedy’s infamous birthday party and charted on Billboard.

While stardom came easily, international politics proved more complicated. Makeba was raised in a South Africa that refused to grant even the most basic civil rights to its Black majority. The South African government revoked Makeba’s passport in the 1960s after she spoke critically of apartheid. She had to miss her own mother’s funeral. Makeba became more outspoken, lending her support to the civil rights cause while in the U.S.; and it was only after Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, more than 30 years after her exile, that she finally returned home to South Africa.

“Miriam Makeba’s lifelong commitment to justice is a lasting example of how we can choose grace and forward motion despite great duress and struggle,” said Somi. “Throughout this pandemic and in the midst of a national discourse of institutional racism, her story reminds us to stay the course and remain hopeful. If this piece can inspire hope in the hearts of the audience when they need it most, then the risks we’ve taken to share it will be worthwhile.”

The musical features a live jazz band playing original music and reinterpretations of Makeba’s catalog. Somi stars as Makeba, and the Sangoma Chorus features Aaron Marcellus, Naledi Masilo, Phindi Wilson, and Phumzile Sojola. Hervé Samb plays guitar, and is musical director with pianist Toru Dodo, bassist Pathe Jassi, and percussionist Sheldon Thwaites. Somi’s forthcoming album ZENZILE: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba will be released on March 4, which would have been Makeba’s 90th birthday.

Visit McCarter.org for tickets.