De originele Engelstalige Londense West End Musical komt naar Nederland! Monroe Kent III speelt de 7 rollen van de personen die zo belangrijk waren in het leven van Nat King Cole. Deze musicalversie is het originele door de erven Cole geautoriseerde levensverhaal van Nat King Cole. In juni 2010 zal deze musical te zien zijn in Johannesburg, Kaapstad en vele andere locaties in Zuid Afrika.
Daarna, in april 2011, kan men in Nederland genieten van dit ontroerende verhaal over het leven van Nat King Cole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unforgettable – The Nat King Cole Story bestaat uit:
Monroe Kent III – Spel en Vocals
Tba - Piano
Tba - Bass
Tba - Drums

TheaterTour – Unforgettable – The Nat King Cole Story
In 2x 60 minuten speelt en zingt Monroe Kent III het levensverhaal van Nat King Cole. Inclusief een gedeelte uit het fabuleuze NBC optreden van Nat King Cole.

De ontroerende stem van Monroe Kent III zorgt ervoor dat de toeschouwer het idee heeft een avond bij Nat King Cole op visite te zijn.

NAT “KING” COLE ... THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE MUSIC ... is brought to blazing life in UNFORGETTABLE.

Written by Clarke Peters (the creator of Five Guys Named Moe), this rousing new musical was a smash hit on the London stage and in major engagements throughout the United Kingdom, Japan and the Far East. Enthusiastic response to last year’s North American tour necessitated a second season for UNFORGETTABLE, The Nat King Cole Story in the United States.

UNFORGETTABLE is Nat “King” Cole’s phenomenal life story. The son of an Alabama preacher … the soft spoken jazz pianist who becomes a worldwide singing sensation ... the first performer of color to star in his own national TV program ... Nat “King” Cole was a beloved superstar whose appeal transcended the boundaries of race, culture and geography.

He won the love of millions with the ease of his down-to-earth personality and the most recognizable American voice since Sinatra. The whole story is here ... his piano-playing days in low down dives and honky-tonks, his breakthrough contract with Capital Records, his fight against racism at the studio and in his own Hollywood neighborhood, his television triumphs and worldwide tours.

The songs are here too ... incredible hits like Mona Lisa, Route 66, Too Young, Paper Moon, and the classic Unforgettable ... all caressed in the rich, warm style that is indelibly Nat “King” Cole.

Monroe Kent III, star of London’s Five Guys Named Moe and North American tours of Dreamgirls and Ain’t Misbehavin’, headlines UNFORGETTABLE. Internationally recognized, he has already won wide-ranging praise for this portrayal of Cole in the United Kingdom and the Far East. Perhaps the critic for The Independent said it best when he wrote “Nat King Cole is perfectly performed by the velvet-voiced Monroe Kent ... he is irresistible.”


RAVES FOR THE AMERICAN PREMIERE

“Monroe Kent is nothing short of masterful when incarnating the men, and in one magnificent moment, women in Cole’s life. The great tunes of UNFORGETTABLE -- ‘Route 66', ‘Too Young’, ‘Nature Boy’, ‘Stardust’, ‘Mona Lisa’ and the title song – are all tied together with anecdotes and vignettes that engage the audience as strongly as the melodies please them. Kent and the band create an ambience which the scenic and lighting designs aid with their velvet curtains and sparkle. This is a show that lacks only for table side martini service to make it divine.
The Troy Record

“The show’s creators are blessed in having the talented Monroe Kent as Cole and as other people in Cole’s life. His speaking voice is richly textured and his transitions from one character to the next are seamless. Kent is shrewd enough, and skilled enough, to evoke Cole’s style without mimicking it. He sings extraordinarily well and he is supported by a first rate trio.”
The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA

“We are always interested in what’s happening onstage thanks to the brilliant performance of Monroe Kent III. And then there’s the singing. As the script explores Cole’s TV show and night club act, ‘Besame Mucho’, ‘Mona Lisa’, ‘Let There Be Love’ and ‘Unforgettable’ get a terrific treatment. A large dollop of comedy, some drama, and a whole lot of finely delivered music are what this offering is all about.”
The Schenectady Gazette

“Nat King Cole is played by Monroe Kent III in a dazzling representation of Nat’s stature. Kent looks quite a bit like Cole and even sings (beautifully) in the entertainer’s style. The songs flow effortlessly and practically had the audience swooning over the proceedings, so true were they to the unforgettable Cole approach. Backed by a delicious trio, Monroe Kent III is a consummate performer and will make you feel for two solid hours that Nat Cole is back – and magnificent as ever.”
National Public Radio


BIO - Monroe Kent III

Monroe Kent starred in the hit musical FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE as Nomax in London’s West End Production. His stellar reviews brought him the coveted role of Nat King Cole in the United Kingdom and Far East tours of UNFORGETTABLE. He was also prominently featured in HEY, MR. PRODUCER at the Lyceum Theatre in London. In the United States, Monroe recreated the role of Nomax at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre and at Fords Theatre in Washington, DC. He has also starred in the US National Tours of AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ as Andre, and DREAMGIRLS as Curtis Taylor Jr.

In New York, he appeared as Aaron in the off-Broadway production of BLACK NATIVITY. Joe in SHOWBOAT, the Leading Player in PIPPIN, and Caiphas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR are just a few of his many regional theatre credits. Monroe’s television work ranges from DEAD AIR, an NBC Movie of the Week, and HEY, MR. PRODUCER (seen on PBS), to a number of tapings for the BBC while he was based in London.

His recordings include a duet with Stephanie Lawrence on her Tim Rice Compilation and the Original Cast Album for Hey, Mr. Producer. Monroe’s solo debut album Black to Broadway was released by Carlton Entertainment in 1998.


SONG LIST

Straighten Up and Fly Right
Sweet Lorraine
Frim Fram Sauce
Route 66
Errand Boy
Yes Sir That’s My Baby
Gone With The Draft
Breezy with the Bass
Walkin’ My Baby Back Home
Stardust
Smile
Rhumba Azul
Kemo Kimo
Besame Mucho
Too Young
Mona Lisa
Send For Me
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Almost Like Being In Love
Let There Be Love
Unforgettable


ABOUT THE AUTHORS

CLARKE PETERS is a writer/performer of rare distinction. He trained as a mime artist studying under Michael Grondo, a protégé of Marcel Marceau in the United States and further studied under Adam Darius. He created the hugely successful and award winning Five Guys Named Moe; a show that took the West End of London by storm and successfully transferred to America and Australia. The musical started life as an evening’s entertain¬ment for fellow actors whilst on tour with Carmen Jones, and blossomed into one of the success stories of the 90’s. It was also named Best Entertainment at the London Evening Standard Drama Awards. Clarke is widely regarded as one of the most innovative performers in England and his long list of West End production credits include: The Warden in Kiss of the Spiderwoman; Four Eyed Moe in Five Guys Named Moe (of which he was the original producer); George in King (which he also directed); Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls (the first black actor to take on this role in Britain); The Scarecrow in The Wiz; Blues in the Night; and Driving Miss Daisy. His numerous film and TV credits include: Mona Lisa; Death Train; A Masculine Ending and A Casualty of War. He devised an evening entertainment based around the songs of Nat King Cole at the Cafe Royal Green Room in London, and went on to develop this into Unforgettable, written, co-directed and starring Clarke at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East and subsequently at the Garrick Theatre.

LARRINGTON WALKER has many credits which include for British television: Waterloo Sunset, Angels, Minder, Black on Black, Moon over Soho, Inspector Morse and Peak Practice. For theatre: Merchant of Venice, West Yorkshire Playhouse, The Wizard of Oz, White Suit Blues, Nottingham Playhouse, The Beggar’s Opera and Guys and Dolls, Royal National Theatre, Five Guys Named Moe for the Denhoim Elliott Trust and many more. For film: Burning an Illusion, Lamb and Yanks. As a Director and Writer: Let There Be Love (co-author), Ears, Tails and Common Sense, Jazz Variations and Blues in the Night (Asst. Director).


ABOUT NAT "KING" COLE

“When I Fall In Love”, “Nature Boy”, “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire”, “Mona Lisa”, “Ramblin’ Rose” and “Unforgettable” ... these are just a few of the immortal standards made famous by the beloved singer and pianist, Nat “King” Cole. A performer of color and an international star, his personal warmth and distinctive vocal style made him the idol of countless millions. As vividly portrayed in the musical UNFORGETTABLE, the story of Nat “King” Cole’s life and show business success is extraordinary and compelling.

The son of a strict Alabama preacher, Nat learned to play a host of instruments at a very early age, including his first love, the piano. By the time he reached his teens, he was winning jazz keyboard competitions (in one instance, triumphing over his idol Earl “Fatha” Hines), and was performing in blues joints and at social engagements. In his late teens, he also toured the country in a black Broadway musical. When the show closed suddenly, Nat landed in Southern California. Barely 20 years old, he found immediate work as a pianist in nightclubs in and around Los Angeles. Soon word got out: “This cat can play”. It wasn’t long before he was dubbed the “King”.

One night, while working with a quartet at The Sewanee Inn, a drunk in the crowd kept shouting for Nat to sing the popular song “Sweet Lorraine”. When Nat complied, the crowd loved it. And thus was born a legendary singing career. Nat and his group worked only in nightclubs until they acquired a brilliant manager, Carlos Gastel, who arranged for their breakthrough contract with Capitol Records. Almost immediately, they had a huge hit with Nat’s own composition “Straighten Up and Fly Right”, a song inspired by one of his father’s sermons. Nat’s sophisticated keyboard skills were highlighted, but it was at this time that his singing voice ... a warm, velvety tenor-baritone ... began to be widely celebrated.

Within a year or two, Nat’s career was in full throttle. He took over a national radio show for Bing Crosby and recorded with the likes of Johnny Hodges and Frank Sinatra, a friend with whom he would soon be competing for popularity. By the time Nat was 30, he had a string of million-seller hits ... “Nature Boy”, “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire”, “Route 66”, “Mona Lisa”, and “Unforgettable” ... to his credit.

Already recognized as that once rare commodity ... a black superstar, Nat’s was a phenomenal success story. But in the America of his day, segregation was still the custom if not the law of the land. Despite his wealth and prominence, Nat fought and won against racism when he and his wife Maria moved into their new Hollywood home over the bitter protests of their white neighbors. Later, Nat vetoed his appearances at resorts and casinos from which blacks were barred. Once while performing in Alabama, several white men, enraged by Nat’s stardom, rushed onto the stage and tried to kidnap him. Following that incident, Nat made the following statement about his commitment to perform for all peoples:

“You can erase a lot of things by gaining the respect of both races. Through the medium of my music I hope to make many new friends and change opinions regarding racial equality. I have always believed that by living as a full American dedicated to the democratic principle, I fight bigotry by example.”

Nat's incredible success went on unabated. He was cheered as a headliner in Las Vegas, and in concert venues in this country and all over the world. He was the first performer of color to star in his own national TV show. He was featured in Hollywood movies including THE BLUE GARDENIA, SAINT LOUIS BLUES, and THE NAT KING COLE STORY, sang for President and Mrs. Kennedy at the White House, and appeared in a Command Performance for the Queen of England.

Although a good husband and family man, nothing satisfied Nat more than back-to-back work and performing. He was experimenting with Rock n' Roll and continuing to tour widely. His appearances in South America caused a sensation and his concert dates in Asia, Europe and the United States sold out. In short, Nat’s schedule was crazier than ever. In the summer of 1964, he was headlining in Las Vegas by night and flying to Hollywood to film CAT BALLOU during the day. Seriously exhausted, he complained of back pain and finally went to a doctor to find the source of his problem. Diagnosed with lung cancer, Nat “King” Cole died on February 15, 1965, aged just 45. At Nat's funeral his fellow musicians and stars - Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson and Sammy Davis, Jr. to name just a few - paid tribute not only to the great performer and musical genius, but to one of the kindest and most courageous men they had ever known.

In the years since his death, the songs and personality of Nat “King” Cole have remained popular through the immense and ongoing sale of his albums and the replaying of his television series. In 1991, his daughter Natalie (a highly acclaimed pop star in her own right) remixed one of Nat’s classics, “Unforgettable”, adding her own voice in duet with her father. A wildly successful release, it put Nat “King” Cole - once again - at the top of the charts.

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