New John Legend, Lynn Nottage musical 'Imitation of Life' to premiere off Broadway

Running for a limited time only at The Shed this fall, the show is based on the same-named 1933 Fannie Hurst novel and its two Oscar-nominated film adaptations.

Summary

• The new musical Imitation of Life will premiere off Broadway at The Shed in fall 2026
• The show's award-winning writers are musician John Legend and playwright Lynn Nottage
• The story follows two single mothers of different races trying to build successful lives for their daughters in the 20th century
• The musical is based on the same-named book and films

Imitation of Life, a new musical co-written by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (book) and Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner John Legend (music and lyrics), will premiere at The Shed this fall, playing a limited presentation engagement at dates to be announced.

Set between 1920s Atlantic City and 1930s New York Imitation of Life follows two single mothers, one white and one Black, and their daughters as they work to build a successful, loving, shared life in a race- and class-divided society.

The musical is adapted from the same-named 1933 novel by Fannie Hurst and its two Oscar-nominated Universal film adaptations from 1934 and 1959.

“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," Legend and Nottage said in a joint statement. "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.”

Tony Award nominee Liesl Tommy directs. The cast and additional creative team members have yet to be named.

Check back for information on Imitation of Life tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Photo credit: John Legend and Lynn Nottage. (Photos courtesy of production)