Chicago's Goodman Theatre is producing the premiere that features music by Scott Frankel, lyrics by Michael Korie and a book by Doug Wright. At the helm is director Michael Greif. The same team collaborated on Grey Gardens, the acclaimed Broadway musical based on the iconic Maysles brothers documentary.
The new musical is inspired by the book "War Paint," by Lindy Woodhead, and the documentary film "The Powder & the Glory," by Ann Carol Grossman and Arnie Reisman.
The project reunites the writers with their Tony-winning Grey Gardens muse Ebersole, who will star as Elizabeth Arden. Tony-winning Evita and Gypsy star LuPone will star as Helena Rubinstein.
Performances begin June 28, 2016, in the Goodman's 856-seat Albert Theatre.
According to the Goodman, "Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden defined beauty standards for the first half of the 20th Century. Brilliant innovators with humble roots, both 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. From Fifth Avenue society to the halls of Congress, their remarkable rivalry was ruthless, relentless and legendary—pushing both women to build international empires in a world dominated by men."
"We are proud to produce the world premiere of War Paint, a bold and exciting new musical about two fearless women who broke new ground in luxury beauty, starring the incomparable musical theater titans Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole," Goodman artistic director Robert Falls said in a statement. "It's particularly thrilling to collaborate with this enormously talented creative team. I consider Grey Gardens to be one of the most beautiful musicals to emerge in the past years, and I’m delighted to welcome these artists to the Goodman and Chicago."
Tony Award winner Donna Murphy was reportedly involved in earlier developmental workshops. According to a production source, Murphy was unable to remain with the piece due to the change in production schedule for a TV series the actress is currently working on.
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