"Lempicka" Musical Brings Radical Polish Artist's Life and Work to Broadway

Explore the vibrant journey of 'Lempicka', a musical that celebrates the revolutionary life and artwork of a bold Polish artist on Broadway.

Broadway’s newest musical, “Lempicka,” is a lush and epic portrayal of the life and times of Tamara de Lempicka, a celebrated Polish artist who defied convention and continues to influence artists across various genres. The show, which opens on April 14 at the Longacre Theater, aims to restore the reputation of this queer woman and ambitious painter who has often been undervalued in the art world.

The Icon and Her Influence

Eden Espinosa plays the iconic Lempicka as she transforms from a refugee to an acclaimed portrait painter known for her bold, exotic, and radical Art Deco style. “I think a lot of people don’t know of Tamara de Lempicka, but her art is so recognizable,” said Espinosa. “Everything is just a feast for the senses, just like her art is.”

Lempicka, who lived from 1898 to 1980, has influenced artists, filmmakers, and musicians, including Madonna, who made many nods to Lempicka in her 1990 hit song “Vogue.” The musical’s producers have broken with tradition by displaying dramatic prints of Lempicka’s work under the marquee instead of the usual star photos.

Amber Iman plays Rafaela, a fictional character who, alongside Lempicka, helps the show celebrate women who refuse to conform to societal expectations. “This is definitely an interpretation of her story,” said Espinosa. “There are so many things and lies that she told, but I’m excited to bring our portrayal of Tamara to New York audiences.”

Bringing Lempicka to Life on Stage and in Exhibitions

Playwright Carson Kreitzer, who specializes in difficult and disparaged women, felt compelled to write something as big, bold, and richly colored as Lempicka’s paintings when she first encountered them. “Tamara made me a musical writer,” Kreitzer said. “She demanded it.”

The musical coincides with a selling exhibition at Sotheby’s and an upcoming major museum retrospective at San Francisco’s de Young Museum, marking a resurgence in interest in Lempicka’s work. Furio Rinaldi, co-curator of the de Young retrospective, believes that Lempicka’s assertive and empowered women speak to today’s audience.

Despite her success, Lempicka’s reputation has been mixed, with her work often dismissed as decorative or commercial. The musical and the upcoming exhibitions aim to dispel this notion and establish Lempicka as a masterful painter and draftsperson whose influence extends far beyond the Art Deco period.

Reclaiming Lempicka's Legacy

The “Lempicka” musical and the concurrent exhibitions at Sotheby’s and the de Young Museum are part of a larger movement to reclaim the artist’s legacy and establish her as a significant figure in art history. By bringing her story and her work to a wider audience, these projects aim to challenge the notion that Lempicka’s art is merely decorative or commercial and to celebrate her as a groundbreaking artist who paved the way for future generations of women in the arts.

As Broadway audiences experience the lush and epic portrayal of Lempicka’s life and work, they will have the opportunity to discover an artist who has long been overlooked and undervalued. Through the power of music, dance, and visual storytelling, “Lempicka” promises to be a feast for the senses that will leave a lasting impression on all who experience it.