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

IMITATION OF LIFE at The Shed

STRICTLY LIMITED 6 WEEK ENGAGEMENT

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 Whitney White (previously Liesl Tommy).

Across the neon rush of 1920s Atlantic City and the harder edges of 1930s New York, two single mothers—one Black, one White—and their daughters build a life together, chasing success and love by very different rules. Their stories ask what we sacrifice to be seen—and what we pass down to the ones who come after us.

Inspired by Fannie Hurst’s best-selling 1933 novel and the beloved 1934 and 1959 Universal films, Imitation of Life arrives for its world premiere, reimagined in this strictly limited engagement.

Some stories take generations to find their stage. This is where Imitation of Life begins.

• Book: Lynn Nottage
• Music & Lyrics: John Legend
• Director: Liesl Tommy, who transitioned to a producer role under her banner Crocodile Eyes (now Whitney White)

CAST: Adrienne Warren, Jessica Vosk, Michael Luwoye, Charlie Thurston, Aleyese Shannon, Scarlett London Diviney, Lily Gillam.

• 1st PREVIEW: Early Fall 2026 (now November 21, 2026)
• OPENING: Early Fall 2026 (now December 3, 2026)
• CLOSING: Early Fall 2026 (now January 3, 2027)

Updated On: 9/28/26 at 12:19 PM

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.

Further casting announced, including Jessica Vosk

https://playbill.com/article/jessica-vosk-michael-luwoye-charlie-thurston-more-join-imitation-of-life-at-the-shed

Not trying to be snarky here, but does anyone know if Jessica Vosk has any pre-planned dates out? This just went from a "must see" to a "I don't know if I can sit through that" for me.