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

[CoffeeBreak]

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage) #1

Posted: 5/29/26 at 12:19pm

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]

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage) #2

Posted: 5/29/26 at 1:27pm

I’m more excited for Giulia

[JSquared2]

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage) #3

Posted: 5/29/26 at 1:35pm

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

 

Cool story.

[CoffeeBreak]

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage) #4

Posted: 5/29/26 at 1:45pm

...   what happened  ... ?

Changes are afoot at Off-Broadway's upcoming world premiere John Legend-Lynn Nottage musical Imitation of Life. Whitney White (Liberation) will now direct the production, replacing the previously announced Liesl Tommy. The production is also shifting its performance dates, and will now perform November 21, 2026-January 3, 2027 (which includes a two-week extension).

The production has not given any explanation for Tommy's departure from the production. The project originated as Tommy's brainchild, with the director pitching the idea of musicalizing Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel and bringing in Legend and Nottage to write it to Universal Theatrical Group, as she shared in 2023 when the musical's development was first made public.

https://playbill.com/article/whitney-white-replaces-liesl-tommy-as-director-of-john-legend-lynn-nottage-musical-imitation-of-life

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage) #5

Posted: 5/29/26 at 1:51pm

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.

[EDSOSLO858]

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage) #6

Posted: 5/29/26 at 2:14pm

Tommy was also replaced as THE OUTSIDERS relocated its out-of-town tryout from Chicago to San Diego; Danya Taymor ended up winning the Tony for it. 

We are the New York Knicks! / We are the New York Knicks! / We are the New York Knicks! / We are the New York Knicks! / Say "Go New York, go New York, go!” / (Go New York, go New York, go!) / Say "Go New York, go New York, go!" / (Go New York, go New York, go!)

[CoffeeBreak]

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage) #7

Posted: 5/29/26 at 2:22pm

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]

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage) #8

Posted: 5/29/26 at 2:30pm

Are Adrienne Warren and Dee Roscioli still attached to this? Any new casting?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage) #9

Posted: 5/29/26 at 2:55pm

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 :)

[Fred Mason]

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage) #10

Posted: 5/29/26 at 6:08pm

Adrienne Warren is not a box office babe.  Her concert at the 92Y was papered, to say nothing about what happened with Room.  

[raddersons]

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed (John Legend & Lynn Nottage) #11

Posted: 6/1/26 at 1:52pm

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.