of the secret mentorship between Langston Hughes and Nina Simone, Miller bridges the gap between rigorous archival research and compelling public narrative.
Here the author dreamcasts an adaptation of his new book, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: Nina Simone, Langston Hughes, and the Birth of Black Power:
Audra McDonald would portray Nina Simone— her singing in the movie even more powerful than her roles as Aretha Franklin or Billie Holiday. I can hear Audra’s voice now— capturing the power of “Mississippi Goddam,” the fire of “Sinnerman,” and the quiet elegance of “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” While I’m dream casting— she would also stun with Nina’s iconic upbeat celebration that is “Feeling Good.”Visit W. Jason Miller's website.
Giancarlo Esposito’s role as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad convinced me he has the look, magnetism, and gravitas to play poet Langston Hughes— Nina Simone’s dear friend, co-author, and mentor from 1960-67.
I’m already picturing these two backstage at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival (or watching Little Richard perform together after midnight at Charles Mingus’ Rebel Festival just across town at the Cliff Walk Manor.)
Their most intimate scene might be based on a photograph I uncovered of Nina and Langston huddled side-by-side after her iconic 1964 performance at Carnegie Hall. They are standing together at the after party at New York’s Sheraton Hotel. Hughes sips a glass of Seagram’s gin. Nina is whispering something in his ear. Director Coleman Domingo refers Audra and Giancarlo to page 115 of my book, saying, “according to W. Jason Miller, Hughes has a cigarette in his left hand, and Nina seems to be telling him the full back story to how she wrote the song ‘Mississippi Goddam’ ... ACTION!”
The Page 99 Test: Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood.
--Marshal Zeringue
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