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Life After (musical)

Life After is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Britta Johnson. Loosely inspired by Johnson's real-life experiences, the musical focuses on sixteen-year-old Alice Frank, who has to navigate life after the death of her father.^[1]

Premise[edit]

The musical follows the story of Alice Carter, a teenage girl who is confronted with the unexpected death of her father, Frank Carter, a charismatic self-help author. As Alice attempts to understand her father's life and reconcile her feelings of anger, guilt, and sorrow, she is joined and supported by her mother Beth, her sister Kate, best friend Hannah, and her English teacher Ms. Hopkins. Alice slowly uncovers layers of her father's past that challenge her initial perceptions, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.^[2]

Development[edit]

Johnson began to write the songs for the musical based on the grief she was experiencing after the death of her father.^[1] When she was 18, Johnson further developed the concept for the musical as a playwright-in-residence at the Paprika Festival in Toronto.^[1] After she first performed the musical at the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival, the musical caught the attention of Yonge Street Theatricals as well as Toronto-based theatre companies The Musical Stage Company and Canadian Stage Company.^[3] Johnson then further developed and expanded Life After into a full-length musical as part of a residency with The Musical Stage Company.^[3]

Production history[edit]

World premiere: Toronto[edit]

Life After was first presented as part of the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival. The musical was performed at the Theatre Passe Muraille from July 1–10, 2016. It won the Paul O’Sullivan Prize for Musical Theatre, awarded to the best script, as well as the Patron's Pick for musical theatre.^[4]

Following this success, it was developed into a full musical with The Musical Stage Company and the Canadian Stage Company, in Toronto.^[4] It began performances at the Berkeley Street Theatre on September 23, 2017, and was supposed to close on October 22, 2017. However, due to popular demand, the musical was extended by one week until October 29, 2017.^[5] This production was nominated for 12 Dora Awards, winning 6, including Best Musical Theatre Production and Best New Musical.^[6]

San Diego (2019)[edit]

The musical received its American premiere at The Old Globe TheatreinSan Diego. It began performances on March 22, 2019, before closing on April 28, 2019. The musical starred Sophie Hearn as Alice Frank and Bradley Dean as Frank Carter, and was directed by Barry Edelstein.^[2]

Shortly after the San Diego production closed, it was announced that the musical would transfer to the Arena StageinWashington, D.C..^[7] It was scheduled to open in August 2021, however it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[1]

Chicago (2022)[edit]

Life After then played at the Goodman TheatreinChicago. Performances began on June 11, 2022, and it closed on July 17, 2022.^[8] The production was further developed, and included an expanded set and new direction by Annie Tippe.^[9] It starred Samantha Williams as Alice Carter and Paul Alexander Nolan as Frank Carter.^[8]

Toronto (2025)[edit]

In May 2024, it was announced that Life After will return to Toronto, where it will play a limited engagement at the Ed Mirvish Theatre between April 16 and May 4, 2025.^[9]

Cast and characters[edit]

Musical numbers[edit]

• "Frank's Message #1" – Frank
• "Alice Finds Out" – Beth, Kate, Hannah, Furies
• "The Funeral" – Beth, Kate, Hannah, Ms. Hopkins, Frank, Furies
• "If I Knew" – Alice, Furies
• "Control What You Can" – Kate, Alice, Beth, Frank
• "Dedication #1" – Beth, Furies
• "Route 33" – Frank
• "The Party" – Hannah, Frank, Alice, Furies
• "Route 33 (reprise) / Beth and Kate at Home" – Frank, Alice, Beth, Kate
• "Back at School" – Furies
• "Forgive Yourself" – Ms. Hopkins, Frank, Beth, Kate, Alice, Furies
• "Frank's Message #2" – Frank
• "Dedication #2" – Beth, Furies
• "A Moment" – Kate, Alice, Beth, Frank, Ms. Hopkins, Furies
• "Frank on the Porch" – Frank, Furies
• "Moving" – Ms. Hopkins
• "Wallpaper" – Beth
• "Will I Grow?" – Alice, Furies
• "Snow" – Alice, Frank
• "Poetry" – Alice

Critical reception[edit]

The 2017 world premiere production in Toronto received widespread critical acclaim.

Carly Maga of the Toronto Star praised Johnson's ability to portray the "overwhelming, surreal nature of grief", and commented that the musical's emotions rivaled that of more traditional, full-length plays.^[11] Taylor Long, writing for BroadwayWorld, said that the show is "musical theatre perfection" and that "the quality of the orchestra, especially with Reza Jacobs shaping the music, rivals anything you hear on Broadway."^[12] J. Kelly NestruckofThe Globe and Mail similarly praised the musical, comparing it favorably to similarly themed musicals such as Next to Normal and Dear Evan Hansen.^[13]

Reviewing the 2019 San Diego production for The San Diego Union-Tribune, James Hebert called the show a "luminous new musical" and praised Johnson's songwriting and storytelling, the cast's performances, as well as the musical orchestrations.^[14]

Awards and nominations[edit]

References[edit]