The new musical, running at The Shed starting in November, is adapted by John Legend and Lynn Nottage from the 1933 novel and its two film versions.
Further cast and creative team members have been named for the new musical Imitation of Life off Broadway, co-written by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (book) and Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner John Legend (music and lyrics). The show will run at The Shed from November 21 to January 3, with opening night on December 3.
Joining previously announced Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as Delilah are Jessica Vosk (Beaches) 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. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
Tony Award nominee Whitney White (Liberation, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding) directs. Imitation of Life will also feature scenic design by Chloe Lamford, costume design by Qween Jean, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Gareth Owen, choreography by Baye & Asa, music supervision by Brandon Michael Nase, music direction by Ben Covello, and orchestrations by Bryan Carter and Charlie Rosen.
Imitation of Life is adapted from the same-named 1933 novel by Fannie Hurst and its two Oscar-nominated Universal film adaptations from 1934 and 1959. The story follows two single mothers, one white and one Black, and their daughters as they work to build successful lives together despite race and class divisions in 1920s Atlantic City and 1930s New York.
Check back for information on Imitation of Life tickets on New York Theatre Guide.
*Photo credit: Adrienne Warren and Jessica Vosk. (Warren photo courtesy of production; Vosk photo by Michael Kushner)