Ledisi is bringing her majestic voice to Broadway. The Grammy-winning singer and actress has been cast in the new musical Wanted, set to premiere this fall.
The New Orleans native will star as Tallulah Clarke, mother of the sisters Clarke, opposite Solea Pfeiffer (Hadestown, Gatsby: An American Myth) as Mary Clarke and Liisi LaFontaine (West End: Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Dreamgirls) as Martha Clarke.
Inspired by a true story, Wanted is set in 1893 in Texas and follows twins Mary and Martha Clarke, who are on the run. The sisters, who are Black women who pass for white, straddle a dangerous line between two Americas. Per the logline, “As powerful forces close in to keep their family from claiming a future of their own, Mary and Martha are driven to desperate measures to save their mother and their family’s legacy. When survival demands they do the unthinkable, the sisters nevertheless fight for self-determination, dignity, and the inheritance they have long been denied.”
Speaking on her new role, Ledisi said, “I am beyond thrilled to join the cast of Wanted. My first Broadway principal role, and I still can’t believe it. I keep thinking about the journey, God’s timing, and the importance of legacy. I’m grateful to Angelica Chéri, Ross Baum, Stevie Walker-Webb, and our producers for trusting me with the role of Tallulah, and to my family, friends, and team for giving me the courage to say ‘yes.’”
Ledisi is no stranger to Broadway, having appeared in both Caroline, or Change, and Hair in 2004. “I love being a recording artist, and that will never change,” she added. “Theatre has always been part of my vision as a storyteller. This isn’t a pivot… It’s another expansion of me. And I’m just getting started.”
Wanted will begin previews Oct. 15 at the James Earl Jones Theatre, with opening night slated for Nov. 8. The stage play features book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri, a descendant of the Sisters Clarke, with music by award-winning composer Ross Baum. Stevie Walker-Webb has been tapped as director, while Chelsey Acre will handle choreography.
Presale tickets for Wanted will be available June 16 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets go on sale to the general public June 23 at 10 a.m.
Developed by Chéri and Baum, Wanted debuted at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, in February 2020, before playing at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, in spring 2024.
Ledisi’s new role announcement follows a banner year in 2025, which included a performance at the Super Bowl pregame show, a successful headline tour and the release of two albums: The Crown and For Dinah, a tribute to Queen of the Blues, Dinah Washington. The former Grammy-nominated project included the Grammy-nominated single “Love You Too.”
“This has been a year of gratitude. Being recognized by the Recording Academy for music I deeply believe in is truly humbling,” Ledisi said. “Every performance, every note, every song has been a love letter to the people who continue to support me. Along the way, I’ve had the chance to grow, to travel, and to connect with audiences in ways that remind me why I started singing… to move people. I’m proud of everything we’ve built and excited for what’s next.”
In February, Ledisi treated fans to renditions of “Teach Me Tonight” and “What A Difference A Day Made,” which she recorded during the For Dinah sessions.
For more information about Wanted or to sign up for tickets, visit wantedmusical.com.
