Beginning with the first performance on March 19th, 2024, and Opening Night, on April, 14th 2024, The Polish Cultural Institute New York is a partner of Lempicka The Musical, a wonderful new production on Broadway.

Tamara Łempicka (better known as Tamara de Lempicka) was a Polish painter and an Art Deco icon. Her legacy is alive and well, fusing art history and philosophy, and boldly entering into fashion, photography, literature, and music videos.

Lempicka, the highly anticipated sweeping new musical, celebrates the gripping true story of renowned Polish artist Tamara de Lempicka. The principal cast will be led by Eden Espinosa as Tamara de Lempicka, and Amber Iman as Rafaela, Andrew Samonsky as Tadeusz Lempicki, George Abud as Marinetti, Natalie Joy Johnson as Suzy Solidor, Zoe Glick as Kizette, Nathaniel Stampley as the Baron, and Beth Leavel as the Baroness.

Lempicka will open on Broadway this spring at the Longacre Theatre (220 W 48th St). Performances begin on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, ahead of an official opening night on Sunday, April 14, 2024. The creative team consists of Tony Award winning director Rachel Chavkin (her previous show, Hadestown, was a winner of 8 Tony Awards), Carson Kreitzer (book, lyrics, and original concept), Matt Gould (book and music), and Raja Feather Kelly (choreography).

Spanning decades of political and personal turmoil and told through a thrilling, pop-infused score, Lempicka boldly explores the contradictions of a world in crisis, a woman ahead of her era, and an artist whose time has finally come.

When it had its world premiere at Williamstown Theatre Festival (Mandy Greenfield, Artistic Director) in 2018, it quickly became the must-see musical of the summer. The

New York Times said, “Is Lempicka the new Evita? A politically tumultuous tale of blond ambition with epic sweep has arrived,” and Ben Brantley called the show, “Incandescent! An exciting new work which gives musical theater fans who’ve been wondering why they don’t write dominating parts for women anymore have reason to cheer. Matt Gould’s stirring, richly polyphonic music with lyrics by Carson Kreitzer layers voices against each other like lovers between the sheets and Rachel Chavkin is a miracle worker.”

Following its world premiere at Williamstown Theatre Festival, the production played at La Jolla Playhouse (Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director) in 2022, where the San Diego Union Tribune called it “an eye-popping and visually ravishing study of a ‘baroness with a brush,’ studded with gorgeous songs,” and called Eden Espinosa’s performance “fierce and formidable.” The Observer stated, “Tamara de Lempicka should be as well-known to the masses as Picasso, Matisse or Warhol. Perhaps, with a little light shining on her from Broadway, this will mark the year that she is.”

The creative team for Lempicka includes Tony Award nominee Riccardo Hernández (scenic design), Tony Award winner Paloma Young (costume design), two-time Tony Award winner Bradley King (lighting design), Tony Award winner Peter Hylenski and Justin Stasiw (sound design), Tony Award nominee Peter Nigrini (projection design), Remy Kurs (music supervision), Charity Wicks (music direction), Cian McCarthy (orchestrations), Peter Duchan (creative consultant), Leah Loukas (Hair and Wig Designer), and The Telsey Office (casting). Cody Renard Richard serves as the Production Stage Manager.

Tamara Łempicka, Tamara Łempicka was a Polish painter and a prominent figure in the world of Art Deco. Her legacy is alive and well, fusing art history and philosophy, and boldly entering into fashion, photography, literature, and music videos, and her distinctive style involves interpreting the world around her through her unique language of painting. Through her portraits, she captured contemporary figures and everyday heroes, particularly those belonging to the social and cultural elite. Her work reflects the spirit of the 1920s, portraying a sense of liberation and empowerment. Łempicka’s models were seen as modern women, free from the constraints of traditional morality, exuding a sense of confidence and strength. Her art and personal life were influenced by the decadence of the times, embodying the spirit of the era in which she lived. Her lifestyle was far removed from the commonly accepted social norms. 

If you want to find out more about Tamara Łempicka, read the Culture.pl examination of the painter’s life and read of her ever-continuing influence.