Posted: 6/26/23 at 3:05pm
https://playbill.com/article/john-legend-lynn-nottage-developing-stage-musical-based-on-novel-imitation-of-life
EGOT-winner John Legends and Pulitzer winner Lynn Nottage are developing a stage musical adaptation of the 1933 novel Imitation of Life. Liesl Tommy is attached to direct, with Universal Theatrical Group and Legend's Get Lifted Film Co. producing. A private industry reading was held in NYC April 24–28.
The project is the brainchild of Tommy. “When I met with Universal Theatrical Group to talk about a possible collaboration, the only title I wanted to discuss was Imitation of Life," says Tommy in a statement. "I’d long been a fan of the book, and I knew there was a passionate, contemporary, and newly relevant adaptation of this story uniquely suited to musical theatre. To my mind the only collaborators for this beautifully complex, wholly American story are Lynn Nottage and John Legend; thankfully, they agreed to join me immediately in bringing their creativity and immense talents to this re-telling. We are thrilled to partner with UTG as we turn a whole new lens on Imitation of Life, using this great American art form to illuminate and uplift Black life."
