Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren will star in John Legend and Lynn Nottage’s Imitation of Life musical Off-Broadway. Presented as a co-production with the National Black Theatre, the world premiere musical will play The Shed September 9-October 4.

The musical—featuring a book by Pulitzer winner Nottage (Sweat) and a score by EGOT winner Legend, is adapted from Fannie Hurst‘s 1933 novel and its two film adaptations, which center on two mothers—one Black and one white—raising daughters in 1920s and ’30s Atlantic City and New York. Whitney White is directing. Warren will star as Delilah, with further casting to be revealed.

“It is truly an honor to join this incredible team in bringing Imitation of Life to the stage,” says Warren in a statement. “Over the years, developing the role of Delilah has become a highlight of my career. She is a character I have grown to love deeply, and I cannot wait to share her with audiences.”

“Imitation of Life tells a deeply emotional story of a remarkable woman’s journey, and I’m thrilled to know that Adrienne Warren will bring Delilah to life!,” adds Legend. “Adrienne is an incredibly gifted performer who brings heart, humanity, and radiance to every character she plays. I’m so excited that the world will hear her magnificent voice on the first musical that I’ve composed. I can’t wait for audiences to see her in this role.”

The work will mark the first musical written by singer-songwriter Legend, who became an EGOT winner in 2018 with his Tony win as a producer on Manhattan Theatre Club’s Jitney. He also supplied a song to 2017’s SpongeBob SquarePants and starred in the title role of Jesus Christ Superstar for NBC’s 2018 live TV production.

Nottage made her Broadway debut with 2017’s Pulitzer-winning and Tony-nominated Sweat. Her play Clyde’s made a Broadway bow in 2021 via Second Stage Theater, and she penned the book to the jukebox biomusical MJ The Musical—which continues its Broadway run.

The musical is being presented as a co-production between The Shed and National Black Theatre, with producers also including Legend and Mike Jackson of Get Lifted Film Co., Tommy and Mudge of Crocodile Eyes, Universal Theatrical Group, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, and Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon of LD Entertainment.

For tickets and more information, visit TheShed.org.