broadway

This summer, New World Stages welcomes back the talented Rodrick Covington in the exhilarating new off-Broadway musical ‘Rock & Roll Man.'”

This vibrant production celebrates the life of the trailblazing DJ Alan Freed and his significant impact on the rock music scene of the 195s. Covington, a seasoned veteran of the New York stage, steps into the shoes of the legendary Ramp; B and rock singer, musician, and songwriter, Little Richard.

Rodrick Covington’s impressive stage credits already include appearances at New World Stages in “Drum Struck” and on Broadway in Tony Award-winning and Grammy-nominated productions like “Once On This Island” and “The Lion King.” With such a remarkable stage presence, he is well-equipped to breathe life into the flamboyant persona of Little Richard.

Little Richard, famous for hits like “Tutti Fruit,” “Long Tall Sally,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” and “Lucille,” left an indelible mark on the world of music. His unique style, marked by croons, wails, and screams, became an intergenerational influence on rock music, both in the 1950s and for years to come. “Tutti Fruit” itself reached impressive heights on the charts, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Top 100 in America and number 29 on the British singles chart, eventually selling over a million copies. The song became included in Rolling Stone’s list of the top 500 songs of all time, with critics hailing it as “the most inspired rock lyric ever recorded.”

When Covington isn’t on stage, he’s passionate about wellness, even owning his own wellness center. He is passionate about self-care, both on stage and off, and offered some brilliant tips on staying grounded and mindful. We sat down with Covington to talk about all things ‘Rock & Roll, man!’

Check out the conversation below!