Suzan-Lori Parks, who was awarded the 2002 Drama prize for "Topdog/Underdog" and was a finalist in 2000 for "In the Blood," is tackling the life story of another Pulitzer winner — Aretha Franklin — in her latest project.
"Like Aretha Franklin, I try new things,” the playwright told Backstage, noting that she tried to channel the singer as part of her creative process. “I’m like, ‘Sister, show me the way.’”
"Genius: Aretha," set to premier on March 21 at 9 p.m. Eastern time on National Geographic, stars Cynthia Enrivo as Franklin and depicts the career, activism and personal struggles of the performer cited by the Pulitzer board in 2019 for "her indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades."
Watch the trailer here:
Learn more about the production at National Geographic, here.