Tenderly: The Life & Times of Nat King Cole by Duane Forrest at HFF

The Hollywood Fringe Festival presents the world premiere of

Tenderly

The Life & Times of Nat King Cole

Written & Performed by Duane Forrest

Click here for tickets!

Award-winning Canadian artist Duane Forrest brings the timeless music of Nat King Cole to life through performance and storytelling. Blending velvety renditions with 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.

Raised in Toronto, Forrest reflects on his own journey with jazz and belonging, discovering how Cole’s presence opened doors. Tenderly is a moving exploration of legacy, dignity and the quiet power of simply showing up.

From the creator of the internationally-acclaimed Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World — which toured globally, earned multiple Fringe awards, enjoyed a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and recently played Off-Broadway at Soho Playhouse — comes a soulful theatrical experience blending live jazz, intimate storytelling and striking imagery inspired by the golden age of television and jazz clubs.

Featuring timeless classics including “Unforgettable,” “Nature Boy” and “Mona Lisa,” Tenderly invites audiences into an intimate reflection on music, race, visibility and belonging.

Learn More at duaneforrest.com/natkingcole