IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage)

ON SALE TODAY 5/29/26

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed

Imitation of Life is a new musical with a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, music and lyrics by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner John Legend, and directed by Tony Award nominee Whitney White.

Inspired by the 1933 best-selling novel by Fannie Hurst and the beloved 1934 and 1959 Universal films, Imitation of Life follows two single mothers, one Black and one White, as well as their daughters, who build a shared life while each strives for success and love in a society divided by race and class. Set across the vibrant backdrop of 1920s Atlantic City and 1930s New York, this new, profoundly moving musical explores themes of identity, the American dream, and what we leave for future generations.

This limited engagement marks the first major step in nurturing and developing a new American musical. Imitation of Life will be performed with a full cast and live orchestra, in a staged presentation that prioritizes the primacy of the work itself. Audiences are invited to be present at the moment an important new musical begins.

Fred Mason said: "I’m more excited for Giulia"



Cool story.

Whitney White feels like a directorial upgrade over Liesl Tommy. I know Whitney's musical output has been mixed at best, but given her work as a director, composer, writer, and performer, it seems like only a matter of time before she has a big hit. A big talent.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Whitney White feels like a directorial upgrade over Liesl Tommy. I know Whitney's musical output has been mixed at best, but given her work as a director, composer, writer, and performer, it seems like only a matter of time before she has a big hit. A big talent."

Hoping for the best from White. It took her quite some time to get Liberation locked into place. (Wohl's script and the cast make that piece the most successful). Not the biggest fan of her work with musicals, to say the least. Hoping this one is different as the novel movies are wonderful - one I have shared with my daughter over the years.

Nottage is a great pick.

Updated On: 6/2/26 at 02:22 PM

Melissa25 said: "Are Adrienne Warren and Dee Roscioli still attached to this? Any new casting?"

Certainly helps that AW and WW have worked together before, but White may want to start at square one with the casting to put her own stamp on the piece.

I'd like to see it, but not for $79 + fees :)

Real ones know that in the TV show Smash, a fictional adaptation of An Imitation of Life was competing with Bombshell at the Tony’s. That version of the show started Anika Noni Rose, was directed by Susan Stroman, and was written by Jeanine Tesori and Tony Kushner.

Happy to see this novel get a proper musical adaptation, I imagine it could be very beautiful if adapted properly.