Lempicka will make its West Coast premiere this spring at La Jolla Playhouse before it’s Broadway run during the 2020-2021 season. The show celebrates the true story of artist Tamara de Lempicka.
During the Russian Revolution, a young painter named Tamara de Lempicka and her aristocrat husband flee to Paris. She relied on her talent and ambition, to go from a poor refugee to an in-demand portraitist, earning a place among Parisian high society. She meets Rafaela, a free spirit from the city slums, who introduces Tamara to a new world of decadence and passion. Torn between her new muse and her husband, fighting to leave her mark on an ever-changing world, Tamara must discover the depths of her own strength to survive.
The show is directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, and features book and lyrics by Carson Kreitzer, music by Matt Gould, and choreography by Raja Feather Kelly.
In 2018 Lempicka had its world premiere at Williamstown Theatre Festival and became the must-see musical of the summer. The New York Times asked, “Is Lempicka the new Evita? A politically tumultuous tale of blond ambition with epic sweep has arrived,” and Ben Brantley called the show, “Incandescent! An exciting new work which gives musical theater fans who’ve been wondering why they don’t write dominating parts for women anymore have reason to cheer. Matt Gould’s stirring, richly polyphonic music with lyrics by Carson Kreitzer layers voices against each other like lovers between the sheets and Rachel Chavkin is a miracle worker.”
Photo: Gettty