Little Dancer, the musical from Tony winners Susan Stroman, Lynn Ahrens, and Stephen Flaherty that is inspired by Edgar Degas’ iconic sculpture of a young ballerina, has been retitled Marie ahead of its West Coast debut at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle this spring.
The creative team has done significant work on the material since its 2014 world premiere at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., focusing on the relationship between Degas and Marie Van Goethem, the real-life dancer in the corps de ballet of the Paris Opera who posed for the sculpture.
The new title Marie, A New Musical, reflects the developmental work done by the creators to focus on the once “unknown” woman at the heart of the story. “It feels right to honor Marie, this unknown young dancer who's actually now the most famous dancer in the world,” Ahrens told Playbill. “It’s time the world knew her name, and her struggle, and her triumph.”
Five-time Tony winner Stroman (Crazy for You, The Scottsboro Boys, Contact) directs and choreographs the production that weaves classical ballet into its dramatic narrative—including the use of a “dream ballet” sequence, which was praised by critics in its 2014 premiere. Book and lyrics are by Ahrens, with music by Flaherty—the Tony-winning writers of Ragtime, Anastasia, and Once On This Island.
New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck created the role of Marie in the 2014 world premiere, and has been involved in recent developmental workshops. Casting for the Seattle run was not been announced.
Marie, A New Musical will run March 22–April 14 in Seattle.
