Tavis Smiley's 'Death of a King' tour, including Milwaukee stop, canceled amid misconduct allegations

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Tavis Smiley adapted his book 'Death of a King' to be a stage production focused on the last year of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life.

Tavis Smiley's "Death of a King" tour, chronicling the final year of Martin Luther King Jr., has been suspended amid misconduct allegations, including a show scheduled for the Riverside Theater Jan. 21.

The news follows the suspension of Smiley's 13-year-old late-night PBS talk show Wednesday following "multiple, credible allegations" of misconduct.

"PBS engaged an outside law firm to conduct an investigation immediately after learning of troubling allegations regarding Mr. Smiley," read a PBS statement issued to USA TODAY Wednesday. "This investigation included interviews with witnesses as well as with Mr. Smiley. The inquiry uncovered multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS, and the totality of this information led to today’s decision.”

In a post on his Facebook page, Smiley said he was "as shocked as anyone else by PBS’ announcement."

"I have the utmost respect for women and celebrate the courage of those who have come forth to tell their truth," Smiley wrote. "To be clear, I have never groped, coerced, or exposed myself inappropriately to any workplace colleague in my entire broadcast career, covering 6 networks over 30 years. Never. Ever. Never."

Smiley suggested PBS "overreacted and conducted a biased and sloppy investigation, which led to a rush to judgment ... trampling on a reputation that I have spent an entire lifetime trying to establish. This has gone too far. And, I, for one, intend to fight back."

After the PBS suspension, Variety reported, quoting unnamed sources, that the investigation found credible allegations that Smiley had engaged in sexual relationships with multiple subordinates, and that some believed their jobs depended on a sexual relationship with Smiley. Also, Smiley was accused of creating a verbally abusive and threatening environment and employees feared retaliation.

Smiley's 40-city "Death of a King" tour, a stage adaptation of his 2014 New York Times bestseller, was timed to the 50th anniversary of King's assassination. The multimedia presentation was set to feature live narration by Smiley, footage of King and his inner circle, and live jazz piano accompaniment by Marcus Roberts.

People with tickets can get refunds where they bought the tickets. Credit card purchases are automatically refunded. For more information, email tickets@pabsttheater.org or call the box office at (414) 286-3205.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.