PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TENDERLY: THE LIFE & TIMES OF NAT KING COLE

Tenderly: The Life & Times of Nat King Cole

World Premiere at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2026

Hollywood, CA — June 2026 — Award-winning Canadian artist Duane Forrest premieres his newest theatrical concert, Tenderly: The Life & Times of Nat King Cole, at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, running June 18–28, 2026.
Blending timeless music with powerful storytelling, Tenderly is an intimate, visually striking performance that explores the life, legacy, and quiet cultural impact of one of the most influential voices of the 20th century. Through song and personal reflection, Forrest examines how a Black artist navigated fame, race, and belonging in mid-century America — reshaping cultural space through presence, dignity, and artistry.
Forrest is internationally recognized for his acclaimed production Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World, which has toured globally, including an Off-Broadway debut and sold-out runs at major Fringe festivals. The show has received multiple awards, including Best Music Show at the Perth and Adelaide Fringe Festivals, the Jury’s Choice Award at Ottawa Fringe, and a ★★★★★ review from the Winnipeg Free Press, which called it “deeply moving and masterfully told.”
With Tenderly, Forrest expands his signature style — weaving music, history, and personal narrative into a compelling theatrical experience that is both intimate and socially resonant.
“I never saw jazz as something meant for me growing up,” says Forrest. “Discovering Nat King Cole changed that. This show is about visibility, belonging, and the power of simply showing up.”
Following its Hollywood premiere, Tenderly will tour internationally throughout 2026, with confirmed engagements including:
Winnipeg Fringe Festival (Canada): July 15–26
Field Arts & Events Hall (Port Angeles, WA): August 20
Edinburgh Festival Fringe: August 23–30
UK Rural Touring (Highlights North, Arts Alive, Spot On, Arts Reach): September 24 – October 12

PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Show: Tenderly: The Life & Times of Nat King Cole
Festival: Hollywood Fringe Festival
Dates: The Three Clubs, June 18–28, 2026
Category: Musicals & Operas
Runtime: 65 minutes
Ages: 18+

ABOUT DUANE FORREST
Duane Forrest is an award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and theatrical storyteller whose work blends live music with powerful narrative. Drawing from his Jamaican heritage and global touring career, his productions explore themes of identity, culture, and belonging through intimate, story-driven performance.

MEDIA CONTACT
Duane Forrest
🌐 www.duaneforrest.com/natkingcole
📧 [email protected]