I saw Lempicka for the final time on Saturday night and I miss her already. Lempicka’s final show was on Sunday, May 19, so I went to the 2nd to last performance and I’m so sad this show closed before it’s time.
Lempicka was one of my favorite musicals this season that truly resonated with me, but apparently not with a lot of others as she couldn’t even last through the Tonys – despite getting 3 Tony Nominations including Best Leading Actress and Best Supporting Actress!
Show Name: Lempicka
Show Type: Musical
Location: Longacre Theatre, NYC
Date Seen: May 18, 2024 @ 7PM
So many musicals these days aren’t “original” – they’re based on a known piece of literature or media, or they’re a revival. Nothing wrong with either of those things, but I miss original shows which is why both Lempicka, and Shucked, resonated with me – both felt so fresh and new! (I miss the corn show too.)
Lempicka is a musical based on the life of Polish painter Tamara de Lempicka. The majority of the show is set in Paris where she spent a good portion of her life. This show is heavy in history, which I love, and heavy in art, which I also love, and it’s queer – this show hit all the right marks for me.
It starts out with her life in Poland, being a young woman and enjoying painting but she has to give that up when she gets married. Shortly after that, Russia takes over Poland and despite being upper class and well off, they take her husband and leave her alone with their baby. Tamara does what she has to to get her husband back, paying off the soldiers with jewels and eventually with her body – but she does it freely for the safety of her husband.
After he returns to her, they immediately leave for safety in Paris and start a new life there with their child. When her husband isn’t able to find work, Tamara begins painting again and is eventually able to sell her work. She falls back in love with painting.
She meets Rafaela who becomes her model, muse, and lover. Tamara wanted to keep Rafaela a secret though, as being with another woman wasn’t legal. This show was queer and showed bisexual women on Broadway along with other queer people living their lives freely, but in secret.
I’ve seen others say this story had the bones it needed, but the book wasn’t done well and that’s why it didn’t succeed. I personally had no issues with the plot – I enjoyed all of it, but I’m in the minority.
Fun fact – Madonna was also at this same performance! I didn’t know this but she collects Lempicka’s artwork!
There is a full cast recording coming SOON from Lempicka and I highly recommend giving it a listen at the very least! (-whispers- I also have audio from the show I’d be happy to share with friends!)
Edit: (P.S. If you did see Lempicka, you will see elements of it in A.R.T.’s Gatsby production, done by the same director Rachel Chavkin! Fun little Easter eggs.)
What is your favorite queer musical?
Frayed Books 