Lempicka (musical)

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Lempicka
LempickaBroadwayPoster.jpg
Broadway Promotional Poster
MusicMatt Gould
Lyrics Carson Kreitzer
Book Matt Gould
Carson Kreitzer
Setting Paris, France
BasisThe life of Tamara de Lempicka
PremiereJuly 20, 2018 (2018-07-20): Williamstown Theatre Festival
Productions2018 Williamstown
2022 San Diego
2024 Broadway

Lempicka is a stage musical based on the life of Polish painter Tamara de Lempicka (1898-1980). The musical features music by Matt Gould, lyrics by Carson Kreitzer, with a book by Gould and Kreitzer from an original concept by Kreitzer.

Contents

The show opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on April 14, 2024.

Synopsis

The musical follows the life of de Lempicka as she flees the Russian Revolution to Paris, France with her husband, Tadeusz, and daughter, Kizette. [1] [2] Facing the rise of fascism, Tamara takes to painting to survive, and when she meets the free-spirited Rafaela, a prostitute on the fringes of Parisian society, she's torn between the life she cherishes with her husband and the passion, ambition, and possibility awoken in her by her new muse. [3]

Production history

Williamstown (2018)

The musical was originally commissioned by Yale Repertory Theatre and New Dramatists. Between 2011 and 2017, the musical underwent a series of labs and workshops. The musical premiered at the Williamstown Theatre Festival on July 20, 2018, running through August 1, 2018. The show is choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly and directed by Rachel Chavkin. [4]

San Diego (2022)

The production made its West Coast premiere on June 14, 2022 at La Jolla Playhouse, running until July 24. [5]

Broadway (2024)

The musical began previews on Broadway on March 19, 2024 at the Longacre Theatre and opened on April 14, 2024. The production team includes most of the team from La Jolla including Chavkin as director and Raja Feather Kelly as choreographer. Costumes are by Paloma Young and scene design by Riccardo Hernandez. [6] It is set to close on May 19, 2024, following low box office grosses. [7]

Musical numbers

Characters and original casts

CharacterWilliamstownSan DiegoBroadway [8]
201820222024
Tamara de Lempicka Eden Espinosa
Tadeusz LempickiAndrew Samonsky
Rafaela Carmen Cusack Amber Iman
Marinetti Steven Rattazzi George Abud
KizetteAlexandra TemplerJordan TysonZoe Glick
Raoul Kuffner de Diószegh (The Baron) Nathaniel Stampley Victor E. Chan Nathaniel Stampley
Cara Carolina Kuffner de Diószegh (The Baroness) Rachel Tucker Jacquelyn Ritz Beth Leavel
Suzy Solidor Natalie Joy Johnson

2024 Broadway production

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2024
Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a MusicalPending
Distinguished Performance Eden Espinosa Pending
Amber ImanPending
Tony Awards Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Eden EspinosaPending
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical Amber ImanPending
Best Scenic Design in a Musical Ricardo Hernández and Peter NigriniPending

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References

  1. Levitt, Hayley (14 July 2018). "Eden Espinosa and Carmen Cusack Belt About Art and Love in Lempicka". Theatermania. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  2. Vine,Hannah (25 July 2018). "First Look at Carmen Cusack and Eden Espinosa in Lempicka at Williamstown Theatre Festival". Playbill . Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  3. "LEMPICKA - A New Musical | Official Website".
  4. Reiter, E. H. "Review: LEMPICKA at La Jolla Playhouse Is a Bold and Compelling Musical Portrait". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  5. Putnam, Leah (4 May 2022). "Eden Espinosa, Amber Iman, More to Lead Long-Awaited La Jolla Run of Rachel Chavkin-Helmed Lempicka". Playbill. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  6. Paulson, Michael (2023-10-30). "'Lempicka,' New Musical About Art Deco Artist, to Open on Broadway". The New York Times . Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  7. Paulson, Michael (May 2, 2024). "'Lempicka' to End Broadway Run a Month After Opening". The New York Times . Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  8. SpotCo. "Cast". LEMPICKA | Official Broadway Website. Retrieved 2024-03-19.