Life After (musical) explained

Life After
Music:Britta Johnson
Lyrics:Britta Johnson
Premiere Date:July 1, 2016
Premiere Location:Theatre Passe Muraille, Toronto
Productions:2017 Toronto
2019 San Diego
2022 Chicago

Life After is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Britta Johnson. Loosely inspired by Johnson's real-life experiences, the musical focuses on sixteen-year-old Alice Frank, who has to navigate life after the death of her father.[1]

Premise

The musical follows the story of Alice Carter, a teenage girl who is confronted with the unexpected death of her father, Frank Carter, a charismatic self-help author. As Alice attempts to understand her father's life and reconcile her feelings of anger, guilt, and sorrow, she is joined and supported by her mother Beth, her sister Kate, best friend Hannah, and her English teacher Ms. Hopkins. Alice slowly uncovers layers of her father's past that challenge her initial perceptions, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.[2]

Development

Johnson began to write the songs for the musical based on the grief she was experiencing after the death of her father. When she was 18, Johnson further developed the concept for the musical as a playwright-in-residence at the Paprika Festival in Toronto. After she first performed the musical at the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival, the musical caught the attention of Yonge Street Theatricals as well as Toronto-based theatre companies The Musical Stage Company and Canadian Stage Company.[3] Johnson then further developed and expanded Life After into a full-length musical as part of a residency with The Musical Stage Company.

Production history

World premiere: Toronto

Life After was first presented as part of the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival. The musical was performed at the Theatre Passe Muraille from July 1–10, 2016. It won the Paul O’Sullivan Prize for Musical Theatre, awarded to the best script, as well as the Patron's Pick for musical theatre.[4]

Following this success, it was developed into a full musical with The Musical Stage Company and the Canadian Stage Company, in Toronto. It began performances at the Berkeley Street Theatre on September 23, 2017, and was supposed to close on October 22, 2017. However, due to popular demand, the musical was extended by one week until October 29, 2017.[5] This production was nominated for 12 Dora Awards, winning 6, including Best Musical Theatre Production and Best New Musical.

San Diego (2019)

The musical received its American premiere at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. It began performances on March 22, 2019, before closing on April 28, 2019. The musical starred Sophie Hearn as Alice Frank and Bradley Dean as Frank Carter, and was directed by Barry Edelstein.

Shortly after the San Diego production closed, it was announced that the musical would transfer to the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C..[6] It was scheduled to open in August 2021, however it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chicago (2022)

Life After then played at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Performances began on June 11, 2022, and it closed on July 17, 2022.[7] The production was further developed, and included an expanded set and new direction by Annie Tippe. It starred Samantha Williams as Alice Carter and Paul Alexander Nolan as Frank Carter.

Toronto (2025)

In May 2024, it was announced that Life After will return to Toronto, where it will play a limited engagement at the Ed Mirvish Theatre between April 16 and May 4, 2025.[8]

Cast and characters

RoleWorld Premiere[9] San DiegoChicago
201720192022
Frank CarterDan ChameroyBradley DeanPaul Alexander Nolan
Alice CarterEllen DennySophie HearnSamantha Williams
Kate CarterRielle BraidCharlotte MaltbySkyler Volpe
HannahKelsey VerzottiLivvy MarcusLucy Panush
Beth CarterTracy MichailidisMamie ParrisBryonha Marie Parham
The FuriesNeema Bickersteth
Barbara Fulton
Anika Johnson
Ximone Rose
Mackenzie Warren
Charlotte Mary Wen
Ashley Pérez Flanagan
Lauryn Hobbs
Chelsea Williams
Ms. HopkinsTrish LindströmDan’yelle WilliamsonJen Sese

Musical numbers

Critical reception

The 2017 world premiere production in Toronto received widespread critical acclaim.

Carly Maga of the Toronto Star praised Johnson's ability to portray the "overwhelming, surreal nature of grief", and commented that the musical's emotions rivaled that of more traditional, full-length plays.[10] Taylor Long, writing for BroadwayWorld, said that the show is "musical theatre perfection" and that "the quality of the orchestra, especially with Reza Jacobs shaping the music, rivals anything you hear on Broadway."[11] J. Kelly Nestruck of The Globe and Mail similarly praised the musical, comparing it favorably to similarly themed musicals such as Next to Normal and Dear Evan Hansen.[12]

Reviewing the 2019 San Diego production for The San Diego Union-Tribune, James Hebert called the show a "luminous new musical" and praised Johnson's songwriting and storytelling, the cast's performances, as well as the musical orchestrations.[13]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2018Dora AwardsOutstanding Musical Theatre Production[14]
Outstanding New Musical
Outstanding DirectionRobert McQueen
Outstanding Musical DirectionLynne Shankel & Reza Jacobs
Outstanding ChoreographyLinda Garneau
Outstanding Performance (Male)Dan Chameroy
Outstanding Performance (Female)Tracy Michalidis
Ellen Denny
Outstanding Ensemble Performance
Outstanding Scenic DesignBrandon Kleinman
Outstanding Costume DesignMing Wong
Outstanding Lighting DesignKimberly Purtell
2019San Diego Theatre Critics Circle AwardsOutstanding Musical [15]
Outstanding Lead Performance in a MusicalSophie Hearn
Outstanding Direction of a MusicalBarry Edelstein
Outstanding Scenic DesignNeil Patel
Outstanding Lighting DesignJaphy Weideman
Outstanding Projection DesignSven Ortel
2022Joseph Jefferson Awards Outstanding Musical Production[16]
Outstanding Performer in a Supporting Role - MusicalBryonha Marie Parham
Outstanding Direction of a MusicalAnnie Tippe
Outstanding Lighting DesignYi Zhao

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chong . Joshua . Award-winning Canadian musical ‘Life After’ heads to Chicago’s Goodman Theatre . Toronto Star . 15 May 2024 . 12 Jan 2022.
  2. Web site: Lowerison . Jean . Life After,’ a musical with life lessons . San Diego News . 15 May 2024 . 23 March 2019.
  3. Web site: Fricker . Karen . Britta Johnson is Canadian musical theatre’s next great hope . Toronto Star . 14 June 2024 . 26 September 2017.
  4. Web site: Britta Johnson's Life After Musical to Hit the Stage in Toronto This Fall . BroadwayWorld . 7 June 2024 . 22 August 2017.
  5. Web site: Britta Johnson's musical "Life After" is extended to October 29 . Stage Door . 15 May 2024 . 11 October 2019.
  6. Web site: Gans . Andrew . Arena Stage Reveals Updated 2020–2021 Season . Playbill . 21 June 2024 . 15 July 2020.
  7. Web site: Putnam . Leah . Life After Completes Run at Chicago's Goodman Theatre July 17 . Playbill . 30 May 2024 . 17 July 2022.
  8. Web site: Chong . Joshua . ‘Fifteen Dogs’ and the acclaimed musical ‘Life After’ will return to Toronto in Off-Mirvish season . Toronto Star . 30 May 2024 . 17 May 2024.
  9. Web site: Sumi . Glenn . Life After is a complex, moving look at grief, guilt and forgiveness . Now Toronto . 9 June 2024 . 2 October 2017.
  10. Web site: Maga . Carly . ‘Life After’ is well written, well performed and well produced . Toronto Star . 30 May 2024 . 29 September 2017.
  11. Web site: Long . Taylor . Review: Britta Johnson's LIFE AFTER is Musical Theatre Perfection . Broadway World . 30 May 2024 . 30 September 2017.
  12. Web site: Nestruck . J. Kelly . Review: Life After showcases many talents of Britta Johnson, marks Toronto musical theatre milestone . The Globe and Mail . 30 May 2024 . 29 September 2017.
  13. Web site: Hebert . James . Review: Old Globe’s ‘Life After’ is a lush, poetic and surprisingly funny meditation on grief . The San Diego Union-Tribune . 30 May 2024 . 30 March 2019.
  14. Web site: Yeo . Debra . Jerusalem and Life After top 2018 Dora Mavor Moore Awards . Toronto Star . 15 May 2024 . 26 June 2018.
  15. Web site: Wild . Stephi . San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Announced Nominations For 2019 Craig Noel Awards For Theatrical Excellence . BroadwayWorld . 30 May 2024 . 1 January 2020.
  16. Web site: Nominees Announced for 2022 Jeff Awards In Chicago; Drury Lane & Goodman Theatre Lead Nominations . BroadwayWorld . 6 July 2024 . 24 August 2022.