Frida Kahlo, the Mexican artist renowned for her vibrant and deeply powerful self-portraits and other works of art, was dedicated a Broadway show on July 24th. The painter, who has already been the focus of movies, books, and other merchandise, will be portrayed in an entirely new light when the musical is performed in 2024. Viewers will experience Kahlo’s turbulent journey through various locations, ending in the infamous “Blue House” where she was born and passed away.
The production of the show, which has been fittingly named Frida, The Musical will be managed by Valentina Berger, with musician Jaime Lozano and playwright Neena Beber managing the score and lyrics, respectively. The musical will also be partially based on the book Intimate Frida by Kahlo’s niece Isolda P. Kahlo. Although there have been many attempts to portray who Frida Kahlo was, Lozano hopes the musical will portray “Frida through a wider perspective.”
While much of the public views Kahlo as an artist who was isolated and suffered, Mara Romeo Kahlo, Kahlo’s niece, disagrees. “In all the stories I heard when I was a little child, our family remembered Aunt Frida as a very joyful woman.” Berger concurs, stating that “She was really, really fun. … 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.”
Despite her brighter side of life, Kahlo still faced an existence filled with struggle. In a streetcar accident at 18, she injured her spine and pelvis, leaving her bedridden and in immense pain. She also suffered from mental health issues, including post traumatic disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder, which was characterized in self-portraits featuring a fractured body and identity. Kahlo died at 47 from what was believed to be pulmonary embolism, although some suspect she may have died through suicide.
As for Kahlo’s legacy? She is remembered as an empowered woman who persisted through a struggle-filled life with joy, creativity, and expression that was truly out of this world. After all, what use do you have for feet if you have wings to fly?
The production of the show, which has been fittingly named Frida, The Musical will be managed by Valentina Berger, with musician Jaime Lozano and playwright Neena Beber managing the score and lyrics, respectively. The musical will also be partially based on the book Intimate Frida by Kahlo’s niece Isolda P. Kahlo. Although there have been many attempts to portray who Frida Kahlo was, Lozano hopes the musical will portray “Frida through a wider perspective.”
While much of the public views Kahlo as an artist who was isolated and suffered, Mara Romeo Kahlo, Kahlo’s niece, disagrees. “In all the stories I heard when I was a little child, our family remembered Aunt Frida as a very joyful woman.” Berger concurs, stating that “She was really, really fun. … 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.”
Despite her brighter side of life, Kahlo still faced an existence filled with struggle. In a streetcar accident at 18, she injured her spine and pelvis, leaving her bedridden and in immense pain. She also suffered from mental health issues, including post traumatic disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder, which was characterized in self-portraits featuring a fractured body and identity. Kahlo died at 47 from what was believed to be pulmonary embolism, although some suspect she may have died through suicide.
As for Kahlo’s legacy? She is remembered as an empowered woman who persisted through a struggle-filled life with joy, creativity, and expression that was truly out of this world. After all, what use do you have for feet if you have wings to fly?
