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John Legend and ‘Scandal’ Star Joe Morton Team Up for Off-Broadway Play About Dick Gregory’s Life

By | Published on March 25, 2016
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Grammy-winning R&B singer John Legend is working with ABC’s “Scandal” star Joe Morton on a play about the life of comedian and activist Dick Gregory, according to Indie Wire.

The production is titled “Turn Me Loose,” and Legend is set to also write a song for the play. Morton will play Gregory during his time performing stand-up in the 1960s, where he discussed the unreasonableness of racism. That later led the now 83-year-old to become a civil rights activist alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

John Gould Rubin is tapped to direct the show, and Mike Jackson will co-produce with Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co., Variety reports.

This isn’t Legend’s first production venture. He previously met with executives at NBC to produce a comedy about a hip-hop artist in 2011. The following year, the crooner was in talks with Showtime to create a music special-turned-series, which focused on established artists from different genres who discussed their careers and performed original music in front of a live studio audience.

In January, Legend’s production company worked on “The Infamous” on A&E.  That was on top of the other television shows in line for development at Get Lifted before then, including “Underground” on WGN America; “Southside With You,” which premiered on the Sundance channel; and “3 Mics,” according to Deadline.

Legend is no stranger to Gregory. Back in February, the singer accompanied his wife, Chrissy Teigen, to a tribute honoring the actor. “Dick Gregory & Friends Tribute and Toast” featured a host of celebrities, including actor Robert Townsend, former WNBA player Lisa Leslie, and Selma star Omar Dorsey as they celebrated Gregory’s accomplishments, according to Humor Mill.

One day before, the long-time activist received an overdue star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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