Additional casting has been revealed for 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 beginning November 21, 2026 with an official opening on Thursday, December 3, for a strictly limited 6-week engagement through Sunday, January 3, 2027.
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.
Joining the previously announced Adrienne Warren—who is starring as Delilah—will be Jessica Vosk as Bea, Michael Luwoye (Hamilton) as Elroy, Charlie Thurston (Liberation) as Archie, Aleyse Shannon as Adult Peola, Scarlett London Diviney as Young Peola, and Lily Gilliam as Young Jessie. Further casting will be announced at a later date.
Imitation of Life will feature feature scenic design by Tony Award winner Chloe Lamford (Death of a Salesman), costume design by Tony Award winner Qween Jean (CATS: The Jellicle Ball), lighting design by eight-time Tony winner Natasha Katz (MJ: The Musical), sound design by Tony winner Gareth Owen (MJ: The Musical), choreography by Baye & Asa, casting by The Telsey Company, music supervision by Brandon Michael Nase, music direction by Ben Covello, and co-orchestrations by Tony Award winners Bryan Carter and Charlie Rosen.
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.