LuPone & Ebersole to star in War Paint on Broadway

Tom Millward
Tom Millward

Two-time Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole will star in War Paint, directed by Tony nominee Michael Greif, beginning previews at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre on 7 March 2017 with an official opening set for 6 April.

The Broadway transfer comes on the heels of a record-breaking, sold-out engagement at Chicago's Goodman Theatre this past Summer.

Producer David Stone released the following statement:

"When a new musical comes to Broadway starring a musical theatre legend, it is newsworthy; when it arrives starring two legends, it is an event. The artistry, vocal virtuosity, and raw star power that Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole bring to their performances in War Paint thrilled both audiences and critics during our out of town run this summer. The engagement was a sensation, breaking box office records and becoming the Goodman Theatre's most successful show ever. The creative team was also able to receive valuable feedback from both the press and Chicago audiences, who were in agreement on how to make this terrific musical even better. We all look forward to sharing this sophisticated and hugely entertaining new Broadway musical with New York audiences this spring."
War Paint features music by Tony nominee Scott Frankel, lyrics by Tony nominee Michael Korie and a book by Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner Doug Wright. It is inspired by the book of the same name by Lindy Woodhead, as well as Ann Carol Grossman and Arnie Reisman's documentary film, "The Powder & the Glory."

The cast of War Paint includes two-time Tony winner Patti LuPone (Helena Rubinstein), two-time Tony winner Christine Ebersole (Elizabeth Arden), Tony nominee John Dossett (Tommy Lewis) and Tony nominee Douglas Sills (Harry Fleming).

Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

Synopsis: "War Paint tells the remarkable story of cosmetics titans Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, who defined beauty standards for the first half of the 20th Century. Brilliant innovators with humble roots, both women were masters of self-invention who sacrificed everything to become the country's first major female entrepreneurs. They were also fierce competitors, whose 50-year tug-of-war would give birth to an industry that would forever change the face of America. From Fifth Avenue society to the halls of Congress, their intense rivalry was ruthless, relentless and legendary—pushing both women to build international empires in a world dominated by men."

The creative team behind War Paint features choreography by Tony winner Christopher Gattelli, music direction by Lawrence Yurman, orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and sound design by Brian Ronan.

War Paint is produced on Broadway by David Stone and Marc Platt.

- by Tom Millward

Patti LuPone & Christine Ebersole in War Paint

Originally published on

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