Champeen
Champeen was a 1983 musical by Melvin [Van Peebles]. It looked at the careers of Bessie Smith and Joe Louis, and had a cast of 18. It won 7 awards at the 11th Audelco Recognition Awards for black theater, including best actress, best choreography, and best director. Although it covered Bessie Smith's life, it was not a biographical play. The [New York Times] reviewed it positively, although it was stated that Miss Reaves-Phillips was not given enough singing time.