Duane Forrest Productions
Award-winning artist Duane Forrest blends the timeless music of Nat King Cole with powerful storytelling in a captivating exploration of legacy, identity and quiet resistance.
From Off-Broadway to international festivals, Forrest invites audiences on an intimate journey through the life of one of the 20th century’s most iconic voices. Through soulful renditions and personal reflection, he explores how a Black artist in 1950s America became a cultural pioneer while navigating a world that celebrated him onstage but resisted him off it.
Tenderly is a moving meditation on influence, dignity and the power of simply showing up.
Based on the life of Nat King Cole. Great show! Good grasp of his life. Great blending of historical events occurring along side Nat’s life events Rating: Fresh 🍅
Duane Forrest is EXCEPTIONAL!
He is a brilliant storyteller, musician and teacher! He blends historical context, the life and music of Nat King Cole, and his own vulnerable lived experience into a MUST SEE presentation! GO!
Duane presented a nice balance of music, history and personal experience.
Although music and storytelling are the focus, I agree with the frustrating visuals comment.
Even if you’re unfamiliar with the legendary Nat King Cole you will thoroughly enjoy this show. Duane brings Cole’s music to life with his unique brand of story telling. He puts Cole’s career in the context of Black experience in the USA in the 50’s. A great follow up to Duan’s tribute to Bob Marley at last year’s Fringe. A must-see!
Duane is an incredible performer and a tremendous writer!!!
A powerful performance by a seasoned international touring artist.
You don’t even need to know Nat King Cole or his music to love it.
You don’t want to miss this one!
This is an outstanding show by a very engaging and talented artist. The reality of the ‘life and times’ of Nat King Cole is candidly and “Tenderly” covered. Well worth seeing – 5/5
Duane is a wonderful storyteller and performer….never disappoints. The history shared during the show was tough but accurate and very interesting. Absolutely loved it! 4.5/5
This is one of the most important shows you will ever have the opportunity to experience. This show is not simply about the music itself, though, it is bursting at the seams with jazzy delight as well as bluesy solemn. What it exudes above all else, however, is passion for purposeful truth-telling in one of Earth’s most palatable tones… Duane offers far beyond a musical history with us, and delves into what we really need to know.
Beautiful performance … seriously well-done Duane!!! The only thing I wished for was … open those curtains to the projected backdrop of photos !!! It was quite frustrating ~ wanting to see them but poor visual quality because of curtains. Would have been even more powerful if these could have been seen clearly ~~
Excellent show from a great singer, performer and storyteller. Enjoyed his performance as much as last year’s Bob Marley show. Well done!
4.5 stars for this show. Duane is welcoming, a great singer and musician, and a good storyteller. I learned things about Nat King Cole and the experiences of Black people, both in the 50’s and some earlier and recent history that touched my heart.
I just wish that there were more of his most famous songs in the mix, but it was good to hear some of his other music.
Duane’s performance will pull you apart and put you back together again! 5/5