Muhammad ALI musical to premiere in Chicago spring 2025

The greatest of all time is coming to Chicago.
#ALIMusical arrives April 2025.

April 22 - May 18 2025
James M. Nederlander Theatre, Chicago

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Broadway In Chicago

CLINT DYER Direction/Book/Lyrics

TEDDY ABRAMS Composer

RICH + TONE Choreography/Fight Choreography

Q-TIP Music Producer/Lyrics

Updated On: 7/10/24 at 09:05 AM

Always exciting to get these premieres here in Chicago, even if the quality and stage of development are all over the place.


Looking at their bios, the composer and book writer doesn’t seem to have composed or written any musicals before, so I’m curious.

Updated On: 7/10/24 at 09:48 AM

First Listen (at Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert): https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-mO7uxuHbs/?igsh=azExZnRmdnk3bTAx

"I have a lot of trouble believing this will find a sustainable paying audience on Broadway… not sure who this show will be geared towards… but this show is giving me “Rocky” -The Musical vibes all over again…"

I agree. I believe a story about Mohammed Ali would be much better play than a musical. Don't try to cover his entire career, just focus on a certain period in his life like when he dodged the draft.

"He didn't "dodge" the draft. That implies he faked a bad ankle or something. He did conscientiously object, which is not the same thing. Agree that would be an interesting period to cover, though. Some loved him for it, some hated him."

Yes, he conscientiously objected to serving in the military. A lot of people referred to anybody refusing to serve in the military after being drafted as "dodging" the draft at that time. You are correct to point out the difference, no problem.

“Scheduling conflicts”. They’re replacing it with the tour of Parade, coming next August.

Updated On: 11/2/24 at 12:35 AM

Call_me_jorge said: "This is also the second time these producers have cancelled a tryout run of the show. Does this even make it to broadway?"

Doubt it.

The people behind it are not seasoned theatre folk and that can be an uphill climb. Maybe the Ali estate is also proving to be challenging.

Anyone aware of a demo recording of the score?