John Legend attends the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment New musical Imitation of Life will premiere Off-Broadway this fall with a score by John Legend. The musical, based on the novel by Fannie Hurst and the Universal Pictures films, will premiere at the Griffin Theater at The Shed starting in Fall 2026. Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Sweat, Ruined) is writing the book, and Liesel Tommy (Eclipsed) is directing. "Originally published in 1933, novelist Fannie Hurst's Imitation of Life tells the story of two women, one Black and one white, struggling to raise their daughters in a world shaped by inequalities. While the novel's narrative is very much a product of its time, its themes of race, class, and gender in America continue to resonate today. As artists, we are drawn to Imitation of Life's enduring emotional power and its potential to be reimagined in ways that feel both contemporary and urgent. It has been a profound joy to collaborate on bringing this story to the stage, and we are thrilled to premiere this musical at The Shed, where we look forward to sharing the beautiful and deeply moving journey of Delilah and Peola Johnston with audiences," Legend, Nottage and Tommy said in a statement. Related Stories Lifestyle Jennifer Hudson Joins 'Dreamgirls' Broadway Producing Team Business ATG Entertainment Names Melanie Smith As CEO The show is currently scheduled for a four-week presentation, with exact dates and casting to be announced at a later date. This would be the first major theatrical production for Legend, who previously contributed a song to the 2017 Broadway musical SpongeBob SquarePants and served as a producer on the 2017 revival of Jitney. National Black Theatre, John Legend and Mike Jackson of Get Lifted Film Co., Tommy's Crocodile Eyes, Universal Theatrical Group, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon of LD Entertainment and The Shed are producing. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Wuthering Heights From Bloomingdale's to H&M, Retailers Hop on 'Wuthering Heights' Movie Merch olympics 2026 Traveling to the Olympics? The Ultimate Insider Guide to Milan and Cortina international Sleep Like a Star (or a Spy) at These 5 Berlin Hotels Wagner Moura The Hollywood Reporter Celebrates Nominees Night With Wagner Moura, Stellan Skarsgard and More Oscar Hopefuls Theater Jennifer Hudson Joins 'Dreamgirls' Broadway Producing Team valentine's day gift guide The 17 Best Online Flower Delivery Services for Valentine's Day, Awards Season and Beyond Wuthering Heights From Bloomingdale's to H&M, Retailers Hop on 'Wuthering Heights' Movie Merch olympics 2026 Traveling to the Olympics? The Ultimate Insider Guide to Milan and Cortina international Sleep Like a Star (or a Spy) at These 5 Berlin Hotels Wagner Moura The Hollywood Reporter Celebrates Nominees Night With Wagner Moura, Stellan Skarsgard and More Oscar Hopefuls Theater Jennifer Hudson Joins 'Dreamgirls' Broadway Producing Team valentine's day gift guide The 17 Best Online Flower Delivery Services for Valentine's Day, Awards Season and Beyond