Historians, critics, and artists have long been captivated by Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s work—making movies and books about her life and even putting her face on T-shirts and tote bags. Now, the famous painter is getting a performance based on her life: “Frida, The Musical.”
Announced on Thursday, July 21st, the musical is expected to open on Broadway in 2024. It will be produced by Valentina Berger, with music by Jaime Lozano and lyrics by playwright Neena Beber.
The musical’s creators hope to tell Kahlo’s complete story, grasping the details in her life that are often overlooked, as well as the untold stories in her life and many of the hardships she experienced.
“Everyone knows a colder Frida, a suffering Frida, but she loved life,” Berger told The Washington Post’s Kelsey Ables. “She was really, really fun. That’s what we want to portray. I used to have a sad view of Frida, like, ‘Oh, the poor woman.’ Now, knowing how she was so smart and so clever, I look up to her.”
The creators of the musical expressed that they want to tell Kahlo’s story as something more three-dimensional. “We really want to see Frida through a wider perspective,” Lozano stated in an interview by The Washington Post.
Lozano had also visited the Kahlo family. The composer says he relates to Kahlo, being an immigrant from Mexico much like her.
The upcoming musical will be partially based on the book “Intimate Frida,” written by Kahlo’s niece Isolda P. Kahlo, along with conversations with Kahlo’s family in Mexico. This is the only musical that Kahlo’s family officially signed off.
“In all the stories I heard when I was a little child, our family remembered Aunt Frida as a very joyful woman,” commented Mara Romeo Kahlo, Frida Kahlo’s grand-niece, in a statement to The Washington Post. “She was passionate about music, arts and Mexican culture. ‘Frida, The Musical’ honors everything she was: a real woman who fought for her dreams, loved like anybody else and always lived ahead of her time.”
She adds in another statement, “I hope that this show inspires women everywhere to have the courage to fight for their dreams.”
A song written for the musical, called “Wings,” captures Kahlo’s determination, joy and persistence. It was based on a famous, inspirational quote from Kahlo: “Feet,” she said, “what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?”
Link to Article: ‘Frida, the Musical’ will take the painter’s life story to Broadway – The Washington Post.pdf
Announced on Thursday, July 21st, the musical is expected to open on Broadway in 2024. It will be produced by Valentina Berger, with music by Jaime Lozano and lyrics by playwright Neena Beber.
The musical’s creators hope to tell Kahlo’s complete story, grasping the details in her life that are often overlooked, as well as the untold stories in her life and many of the hardships she experienced.
“Everyone knows a colder Frida, a suffering Frida, but she loved life,” Berger told The Washington Post’s Kelsey Ables. “She was really, really fun. That’s what we want to portray. I used to have a sad view of Frida, like, ‘Oh, the poor woman.’ Now, knowing how she was so smart and so clever, I look up to her.”
The creators of the musical expressed that they want to tell Kahlo’s story as something more three-dimensional. “We really want to see Frida through a wider perspective,” Lozano stated in an interview by The Washington Post.
Lozano had also visited the Kahlo family. The composer says he relates to Kahlo, being an immigrant from Mexico much like her.
The upcoming musical will be partially based on the book “Intimate Frida,” written by Kahlo’s niece Isolda P. Kahlo, along with conversations with Kahlo’s family in Mexico. This is the only musical that Kahlo’s family officially signed off.
“In all the stories I heard when I was a little child, our family remembered Aunt Frida as a very joyful woman,” commented Mara Romeo Kahlo, Frida Kahlo’s grand-niece, in a statement to The Washington Post. “She was passionate about music, arts and Mexican culture. ‘Frida, The Musical’ honors everything she was: a real woman who fought for her dreams, loved like anybody else and always lived ahead of her time.”
She adds in another statement, “I hope that this show inspires women everywhere to have the courage to fight for their dreams.”
A song written for the musical, called “Wings,” captures Kahlo’s determination, joy and persistence. It was based on a famous, inspirational quote from Kahlo: “Feet,” she said, “what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?”
Link to Article: ‘Frida, the Musical’ will take the painter’s life story to Broadway – The Washington Post.pdf
