A stage adaptation of a book written by Tavis Smiley about the final year of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s life, set for a 40-city tour coinciding with the 50th anniversary of King’s death, was suspended on Friday in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against Mr. Smiley.
The announcement came days after PBS said it would no longer distribute Mr. Smiley’s talk show after an investigation found “credible evidence” of misconduct. Mr. Smiley has strongly denied the allegations.
The show, “Death of a King,” was canceled the same week that rehearsals began. Mr. Smiley was going to narrate the production, which was heavily drawn from his book and featured photographs and film clips from King’s life. The pianist Marcus Roberts had composed accompanying music. The tour was to begin on Jan. 15, King’s birthday, in Brooklyn.
The production company, Mills Entertainment, announced it was ending the project in a statement on Friday.
“We believe deeply in the message of this production and the importance of commemorating Dr. King in this crucial moment,” the company said in a statement. “However, we take seriously the allegations and will be suspending our relationship with Tavis Smiley and T. S. Productions,” his company.
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