Life After (musical)

Last updated
Life After
Music Britta Johnson
LyricsBritta Johnson
Book Britta Johnson
PremiereJuly 1, 2016: Theatre Passe Muraille, Toronto
Productions2017 Toronto
2019 San Diego
2022 Chicago

Life After is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Britta Johnson. Loosely inspired by Johnson's real-life experiences, the musical focuses on sixteen-year-old Alice Frank, who has to navigate life after the death of her father. [1]

Contents

Premise

The musical follows the story of Alice Carter, a teenage girl who is confronted with the unexpected death of her father, Frank Carter, a charismatic self-help author. As Alice attempts to understand her father's life and reconcile her feelings of anger, guilt, and sorrow, she is joined and supported by her mother Beth, her sister Kate, best friend Hannah, and her English teacher Ms. Hopkins. Alice slowly uncovers layers of her father's past that challenge her initial perceptions, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. [2]

Production history

World premiere: Toronto

Life After was first presented as part of the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival. The musical was performed at the Theatre Passe Muraille from July 1–10, 2016. It won the Paul O’Sullivan Prize for Musical Theatre, awarded to the best script, as well as the Patron's Pick for musical theatre. [3]

Following this success, it was developed into a full musical with The Musical Stage Company and the Canadian Stage Company, in Toronto. [3] It began performances at the Berkeley Street Theatre on September 23, 2017, and was supposed to close on October 22, 2017. However, due to popular demand, the musical was extended by one week until October 29, 2017. [4] This production was nominated for 12 Dora Awards, winning 6, including Best Musical Theatre Production and Best New Musical. [5]

San Diego (2019)

The musical received its American premiere at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. It began performances on March 22, 2019, before closing on April 28, 2019. The musical starred Sophie Hearn as Alice Frank and Bradley Dean as Frank Carter, and was directed by Barry Edelstein. [2]

Chicago (2022)

Life After then played at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Performances began on June 11, 2022, and it closed on July 17, 2022. [6] The production was further developed, and included an expanded set and new direction by Annie Tippe. [7] It starred Samantha Williams as Alice Carter and Paul Alexander Nolan as Frank Carter. [6]

Toronto (2025)

In May 2024, it was announced that Life After will return to Toronto, where it will play a limited engagement at the Ed Mirvish Theatre between April 16 and May 4, 2025. [7]

Cast and characters

RoleWorld Premiere [8] San Diego [2] Chicago [6]
201720192022
Frank Carter Dan Chameroy Bradley Dean Paul Alexander Nolan
Alice CarterEllen DennySophie HearnSamantha Williams
Kate CarterRielle BraidCharlotte MaltbySkyler Volpe
HannahKelsey VerzottiLivvy MarcusLucy Panush
Beth CarterTracy MichailidisMamie ParrisBryonha Marie Parham
The FuriesNeema Bickersteth
Barbara Fulton
Anika Johnson		Ximone Rose
Mackenzie Warren
Charlotte Mary Wen		Ashley Pérez Flanagan
Lauryn Hobbs
Chelsea Williams
Ms. HopkinsTrish LindströmDan’yelle WilliamsonJen Sese

Musical numbers

Critical reception

The 2017 world premiere production in Toronto received widespread critical acclaim.

Carly Maga of the Toronto Star praised Johnson's ability to portray the "overwhelming, surreal nature of grief", and commented that the musical's emotions rivaled that of more traditional, full-length plays. [9] Taylor Long, writing for BroadwayWorld , said that the show is "musical theatre perfection" and that "the quality of the orchestra, especially with Reza Jacobs shaping the music, rivals anything you hear on Broadway." [10] J. Kelly Nestruck of The Globe and Mail similarly praised the musical, comparing it favorably to similarly themed musicals such as Next to Normal and Dear Evan Hansen . [11]

Reviewing the 2019 San Diego production for The San Diego Union-Tribune , James Hebert called the show a "luminous new musical" and praised Johnson's songwriting and storytelling, the cast's performances, as well as the musical orchestrations. [12]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2018 Dora Awards Outstanding Musical Theatre ProductionWon [5]
Outstanding New MusicalWon
Outstanding DirectionRobert McQueenWon
Outstanding Musical DirectionLynne Shankel & Reza JacobsWon
Outstanding ChoreographyLinda GarneauNominated
Outstanding Performance (Male) Dan Chameroy Nominated
Outstanding Performance (Female)Tracy MichalidisWon
Ellen DennyNominated
Outstanding Ensemble PerformanceWon
Outstanding Scenic DesignBrandon KleinmanNominated
Outstanding Costume DesignMing WongNominated
Outstanding Lighting DesignKimberly PurtellNominated
2019San Diego Theatre Critics Circle AwardsOutstanding MusicalNominated [13]
Outstanding Lead Performance in a MusicalSophie HearnWon
Outstanding Direction of a MusicalBarry EdelsteinWon
Outstanding Scenic DesignNeil PatelNominated
Outstanding Lighting DesignJaphy WeidemanWon
Outstanding Projection DesignSven OrtelNominated

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References

  1. ↑ Chong, Joshua (12 Jan 2022). "Award-winning Canadian musical 'Life After' heads to Chicago's Goodman Theatre". Toronto Star. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Lowerison, Jean (23 March 2019). "Life After,' a musical with life lessons". San Diego News. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Britta Johnson's Life After Musical to Hit the Stage in Toronto This Fall". BroadwayWorld. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  4. ↑ "Britta Johnson's musical "Life After" is extended to October 29". Stage Door. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  5. 1 2 Yeo, Debra (26 June 2018). "Jerusalem and Life After top 2018 Dora Mavor Moore Awards". Toronto Star. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 Putnam, Leah (17 July 2022). "Life After Completes Run at Chicago's Goodman Theatre July 17". Playbill. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  7. 1 2 Chong, Joshua (17 May 2024). "'Fifteen Dogs' and the acclaimed musical 'Life After' will return to Toronto in Off-Mirvish season". Toronto Star. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  8. ↑ Sumi, Glenn (2 October 2017). "Life After is a complex, moving look at grief, guilt and forgiveness". Now Toronto. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  9. ↑ Maga, Carly (29 September 2017). "'Life After' is well written, well performed and well produced". Toronto Star. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  10. ↑ Long, Taylor (30 September 2017). "Review: Britta Johnson's LIFE AFTER is Musical Theatre Perfection". Broadway World. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  11. ↑ Nestruck, J. Kelly (29 September 2017). "Review: Life After showcases many talents of Britta Johnson, marks Toronto musical theatre milestone". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  12. ↑ Hebert, James (30 March 2019). "Review: Old Globe's 'Life After' is a lush, poetic and surprisingly funny meditation on grief". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  13. ↑ Wild, Stephi (1 January 2020). "San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Announced Nominations For 2019 Craig Noel Awards For Theatrical Excellence". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
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