There have been reports that the musical has its sights set on a Broadway run in the near future, though no official plans have been announced.
It was recently announced that the production became the most financially successful musical in Goodman Theatre’s history.
“We are enormously proud of War Paint, our brilliant leading ladies and glorious company, and all of the first-rate artists who have assembled to create this quintessential American success story of reinvention, glamour and feminine power,” said artistic director Robert Falls in an earlier statement. “The wildly enthusiastic response of our audiences—the sold-out houses and the full standing ovations they give for every performance, without exception—is unprecedented.”
The world premiere officially opened July 18 following previews that began June 28 at the Chicago venue. No Broadway dates have been announced.
Also in the company are Mary Ernster, Leslie Donna Flesner, David Girolmo, Joanna Glushak, Chris Hoch, Mary Claire King, Steffanie Leigh, Erik Liberman, Barbara Marineau, Stephanie Jae Park and Angel Reda.
War Paint is a world-premiere musical by librettist Doug Wright, composer Scott Frankel, lyricist Michael Korie, choreographer Christopher Gattelli and director Michael Greif. The musical is inspired by the book War Paint, by Lindy Woodhead, and the documentary film The Powder & the Glory, by Ann Carol Grossman and Arnie Reisman.
Frankel, Wright and Korie previously collaborated on Grey Gardens, which starred Ebersole in a Tony-winning turn.
The War Paint creative team includes David Korins (set design), Catherine Zuber (costume design), Kenneth Posner (lighting design) and Brian Ronan (sound design), Bruce Coughlin (orchestrations) and Lawrence Yurman (music director).
War Paint, according to press notes, “tells the story of cosmetics titans Helena Rubinstein (LuPone) and Elizabeth Arden (Ebersole), who defined beauty standards for the first half of the 20th Century. Brilliant innovators with humble roots, both women were masters of self-invention who sacrificed everything to become the country’s first major female entrepreneurs. They were also fierce competitors, whose 50-year tug-of-war would give birth to an industry. From Fifth Avenue society to the halls of Congress, their remarkable rivalry was ruthless, relentless and legendary—pushing both women to build international empires in a world dominated by men.”
For tickets call (312) 443-3800 or visit GoodmanTheatre.org/WarPaint.
