Far From Heaven
Mainstage Theater
Book by
Richard Greenberg
Music by
Scott Frankel
Lyrics by
Michael Korie
Based on the Focus Features/Vulcan Productions motion picture written & directed by
Todd Haynes
Choreography by
Alex Sanchez
Directed by Michael Greif
Cathy Whitaker seems to be the picture-perfect wife and mother in 1957 suburban Connecticut. But roiling beneath the surface, secret longings and forbidden desires cause her world to unravel, with incendiary consequences. With a lush score that is both jazz-inflected and hauntingly lyrical, Far From Heaven is a powerful story of romance, betrayal, and intolerance, as a woman grapples with her identity in a society on the verge of upheaval.
Far From Heaven was commissioned, developed, and produced through the Playwrights Horizons Musicals in Partnership Initiative, with leadership support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Generous support was provided by The Laurents / Hatcher Foundation, the Stacey & Eric Mindich Fund for New Musicals at Playwrights Horizons, and Joanne & Daniel C. Smith.
Additional support provided by the National Fund for New Musicals, a program of National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Cathy & Stephen Weinroth and other generous contributors.
Playwrights Horizons’ 2012/2013 season productions are generously supported by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Photos by Joan Marcus
Note: Understudies may substitute for listed players. An announcement will be made prior to the performance, if any casting substitutions will occur.
“Kelli O'Hara is one of the best performers in musicals today. The sense of hope that pulses in her voice breaks your heart.”
— Ben Brantley, New York Times“A smart, sophisticated, perfect vehicle for Kelli O'Hara's soaring voice and endearing stage presence, with an elegant diversity of music by Scott Frankel. Michael Korie's thoughtful lyrics sensitively express turbulent inner emotions. Richard Greenberg’s book accurately depicts the artificial tenor of the times. Michael Greif and his design team have created a fluid, visually compelling production, enhanced by Catherine Zuber's gorgeous costumes.”
— Jennifer Farrar, AP | Read Full Article
“Both Steven Pasquale and Isaiah Johnson have Broadway-big talents that are thrilling to watch. ”
— Adam Markovitz, Entertainment Weekly“Heaven-sent. A gorgeously lush and evocative score. Scott Frankel and Michael Korie easily top their Tony-nominated work from Grey Gardens. Their songs are given the deluxe treatment from Playwrights Horizons. ”
— Elisabeth Vincentelli, NY Post“A haunting, uncommonly serious contemporary musical. The ravishingly beautifu score evokes Leonard Bernstein. Michael Greif's direction of the actors is faultless. ”
— David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter“A rare commodity: a rich, operatic, tightly integrated post-Sondheim score. There hasn’t been a score like this since The Light in the Piazza. ”
— Matt Windman, AM/NY