This Will Be: The Spirit and Soul of Natalie Cole

THIS WILL BE is written and directed by Midnight’s Artistic Director, Joe Hanrahan, and is the latest in the series of original, unique Cabaret performances the Company has presented over the past two years, primarily at The Blue Strawberry. These have included the Linda Ronstadt show JUST ONE LOOK (still playing monthly to sold out houses), PROFESSOR SUNSHINE’S ROCK ’N ROLL REVIVAL, the Judy Garland show YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU, MOVIE MUSIC and JACEY’S JAZZ JOINT.

Hanrahan said “Natalie Cole’s story is compelling.  People may be surprised by the dramatic sweep of her life, the serious ups and downs of her challenging journey.  And the rich, deep body of her music - which embraced numerous genres, and gained major successes - will knock folks out.” Natalie Cole grew up privileged, the daughter of the former Maria Hawkins Ellington, a singer with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and Nat King Cole, the superstar singer and jazz pianist. Growing up in Beverly Hills, Cole referred to her family as “the black Kennedys.”  She was only 15 when her father died, and the shock and grief over his passing stayed with her and severely impacted her life. She became a singer and quickly a star with her first album, INSEPARABLE, winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Over the years, she switched from R&B to pop and jazz, her career culminating when she collaborated with her late father, dueting with his recordings, for UNFORGETTABLE…WITH LOVE, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year. Over the years, she struggled with devastating drug addictions. But accepting her father’s legacy, and finally coming to grips with his loss, helped her survive and become an inspiration to many.

Her story will be told by a cast of 3.  Kimmie Kidd will present the public Natalie, and then be the lead voice for most of the music. Christina Yancy will represent the private Natalie. And Dereis Lambert will be Nat King Cole, a force in Natalie’s life even after he was gone. Christina and Dereis will provide additional voices for the songs in the show.

Hanrahan also said “We have a talented ensemble to tackle THIS WILL BE…great singers, skilled actors. And we have a Music Director who knows each of them, and is keenly appreciative of their ability. All are very, very happy and eager to work with one other.”

Kimmie Kidd is appearing in ANASTASIA (opening soon from Tesseract) and most recently appeared in TIMBUKTU (The Black Rep), CAROLINE OR CHANGE (Fly North) and NINE (New Line). She’s been nominated for a Theatre Circle Award for Best Lead Performance om MADAM (Fly North) and won Arts For Life Best Performance awards for THE WIZ (Hawthorne Players) and NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (Kirkwood Theater Guild.) She’s also worked at The Rep, and with Midnight as a featured singer in YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU.

Christina Yancy is on the staff at The Black Rep, and for them she’s been seen in WEDDING BAND, BEHIND THE SHEET, HOME and SPELL #7. She’s also worked extensively with The Black Rep, the Rep and St. Louis Shakespeare Festival in touring productions for young audiences.

This year, Dereis Lambert appeared in TIMBUKTU (The Black Rep) and BIG MACHINE (Fly North.) Previously, he was in JERSEY BOYS (Stages).  And he’ll be seen in RENT (New Line) in May, 2025.

Colin Healy will be Music Director for the show.  Colin is the Artistic Director of Fly North Theatricals, and one of the principals at Greenfinch Theatre & Dive Bar. Colin recently presented his musical BIG MACHINE in August of this year as a solo production and as part of the St. Louis Fringe Festival. His other musicals include MADAM, THE GRINGO and FORGOTTONIA. Colin was Music Director for Midnight Cabarets MOVIE MUSIC and JACEY’S JAZZ JOINT.