The curtain has risen on "Lempicka," a musical depicting the dramatic life of Tamara de Lempicka, known as the "Queen of Art Deco." The latest Broadway production marks its Korean and Asian premiere, bringing the real-life artist's story to the stage with striking intensity.
The musical opened on May 21 at the Woori Bank Hall in COEX Artium, Seoul, and runs through June 21. The production was nominated for three categories at the 2024 Tony Awards. It is based on the life of painter Tamara de Lempicka, who preserved her artistic identity amid the massive upheavals of the early 20th century, including the Russian Revolution and the World Wars.
The Korean production features a world-class creative team that spent roughly a decade refining the work, led by Rachel Chavkin, who won the Tony Award for Best Direction for the musical "Hadestown." Carson Kreitzer wrote a book that layers imagination onto historical fact, while Matt Gould composed music blending classical melodies with pop, rock and R&B to vividly capture the characters' desires and anxieties.
The set design focuses on maximizing the geometric and sophisticated aesthetics distinctive to Art Deco. Visual effects that evoke the experience of standing before an actual masterpiece, combined with bold lighting design, sharply illuminate the characters' inner psychology. The glamorous yet sleek beauty of the Art Deco style simultaneously conveys the period atmosphere and the protagonist's artistic world.
Music is another major highlight of the production. Numbers built on classical melodies and infused with modern pop, rock and R&B elements convey with great depth the longing and free will of characters living through an era of upheaval. Standout numbers include "Woman Is," which captures the artistic identity of title character Tamara de Lempicka and her emotions toward her muse; "Don't Bet Your Heart," showcasing the sensual and dynamic energy of muse Rafaela; and "Perfection," which reveals the intense convictions of Futurist Marinetti.
The cast is equally impressive. Kim Sun-young, Park Hye-na and Jung Sun-ah take on the role of Lempicka, each promising a distinct interpretation of the artist who defended her life and art through turbulent times. The role of Rafaela — a muse of fatal charm and a free spirit — will be played by Cha Ji-yeon, Lina and Son Seung-yeon, each adding a different color to the character.
Kim Ho-young and Jo Hyung-gyun are cast as Marinetti, the innovation-dreaming Futurist, while Kim Woo-hyung and Kim Min-cheol play Tadeusz Lempicki, Tamara's husband and supporter. Choi Jung-won and Kim Hye-mi take on the role of Suzy Solidor, the center of Parisian high society, rounding out the production.