Imitation of Life​

 

Book by Lynn Notage

Music and Lyrics by John Legend

Directed by Liesl Tommy

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Playing Off-Broadway at The Shed (545 West 30th St.) in Fall 2026

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IMITATION OF LIFE, 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 multi-award-winning and Tony Award nominated Liesl Tommy will premiere at The Shed (Meredith “Max” Hodges, Chief Executive Officer; Alex Poots, Artistic Director) as a co-production with National Black Theatre (Sade Lythcott, Chief Executive Officer; Jonathan McCrory, Executive Artistic Director) in New York City for a strictly limited 4-week presentation engagement.

 

Based on the novel by Fannie Hurst and the Universal Pictures films, performances at The Griffin Theater at The Shed will begin in Fall 2026.

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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.