Few pop stars are as decorated as John Legend, one of only 22 people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy (now 13 total), an Oscar and a Tony Award. What people now see is a global icon, but what they may not know is where and how this star was born.

The singer, songwriter, pianist, producer and philanthropist is performing at the Dr. Phillips Center’s Walt Disney Theater on Thursday, bringing a “night of songs and stories” to Orlando. Featuring Legend performing alone on stage with reimagined hits such as “All of Me” and “Tonight,” the show paints the musician in a much more intimate light.

Throughout the performance, the audience will learn about Legend’s upbringing, his parents’ divorce, the story behind his name and his time working in corporate America.

Ahead of his Central Florida show, Legend talked with the Orlando Sentinel by phone about his early dreams of performing for large audiences, his new Broadway projects and the collaborative nature of his creative process.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What were some of your first memories of music?

Legend: I grew up in the Pentecostal church in Springfield, Ohio. My grandfather was a pastor, my mother directed the choir. My grandmother was the organist for the choir. I was literally at choir rehearsal in the womb, and as soon as my mom got back to church, I was going to choir rehearsal with her all the time. I grew up around a lot of people who made music. It was woven into the fabric of our lives all the time.

Did you ever picture where that music could take you?

Legend: When I would watch the Grammys, I would envision myself being on television, singing and playing. I was thinking piano lessons when I was pretty young. I was singing in the church choir when I was 6 or 7. I loved music very early on. And as soon as it registered to me that you could do it for a living and you could be on TV, doing it in front of huge audiences, I wanted to do that.

When I was 15, I wrote an essay for a Black History Month competition about what I wanted to do in my life to make Black history, and not only with music, but also by being able to use this platform to make a difference in the world. It’s pretty remarkable being able to live those dreams now.

This particular show is about sharing stories and sharing memories from your career, right?

Legend: It’s a very intimate show; it’s just me on stage. I talk about my upbringing. I talk about some of the challenges we faced in my family when my parents got divorced, and some of the struggles with addiction and mental health that my mother had during that time. I talk about how influential she’s been to my entire career and my upbringing. I talk about how I got my name. I talk about being a management consultant for a few years and then trying to get a record deal. Some of it’s funny, some of it will make you cry. It’s all the above.

We’re not used to seeing some of our bigger pop stars do stripped-down shows like this without a lot of big production. I love doing it, and I find that my fans really love being a part of it.

Can you talk about your work on musicals?

Legend: I’m working on a new album of my own, and I’m writing two Broadway musicals. One is ‘Imitation of Life,’ which we adapted from the original book and movies and told it from our own perspective with lots of music. This is the first Broadway show that I’ve ever written a full score, lyrics and music for. I’m so thrilled, like, it’s been such a fun process. We’ve been talking about it and working on it for the past four or five years, but it’s finally going to hit the stage soon, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Are there any artists you’ve enjoyed working with most over the years?

Legend: I have to point out a Floridian that I’ve worked a lot with, which is Rick Ross. Our voices really work well together, and our musical sensibilities really work well together. I feel like we could put a whole album out of just a John Legend and Rick Ross collaboration. I love Jay Z. I’m a big fan of his, and I’ve been always honored when I get to work with him. I talk about a lot more in my show, including the story of how Kanye and I met and started working together.

How do you see this moment in your career?

Legend: I’m really excited about this Broadway stuff. I imagine myself doing a lot more in the future. My only regret is that I waited till I was 47 to do it. I think it’s cool to just be at this point in my career. I’m working on new music for myself, but also for theater and feeling so creatively inspired. I have a lot to say, and I can’t wait for all of it to come out.

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.

If you go

“John Legend: A Night of Songs & Stories” is at 8 p.m. March 19 in the Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. Tickets are available starting at $117.41. More information: drphillipscenter.org