Broadway musical on Basquiat in the works
A Broadway musical about Jean-Michel Basquiat is being developed by producers Alan D. and Barbara Marks, directed by John Doyle, with music and lyrics by Jon Batiste. The project has the collaboration of Basquiat's family, who will provide access to his personal archives. The musical will trace Basquiat's journey from street artist SAMO to international fame, cut short by his death at 27. Doyle, a Tony Award winner, aims to explore 1980s New York and Basquiat's connections. Batiste wants audiences to feel inspired to create. The announcement coincides with the 30th anniversary of Basquiat's death, marked by exhibitions at Cranbrook Art Museum, Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, and Foundation Louis Vuitton Paris.
Key facts
- Broadway musical about Jean-Michel Basquiat announced
- Produced by Alan D. and Barbara Marks
- Directed by John Doyle, Tony Award winner for Sweeney Todd revival
- Music and lyrics by Jon Batiste, bandleader of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
- Basquiat's family collaborating, providing personal archives
- Musical covers Basquiat's life from street artist SAMO to international fame
- Basquiat died at age 27 from heroin overdose
- Announced during 30th anniversary year of Basquiat's death (2018)
- Exhibitions in 2018: Basquiat Before Basquiat at Cranbrook Art Museum, Basquiat. Boom for Real at Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, and exhibition at Foundation Louis Vuitton Paris
Entities
Artists
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Andy Warhol
- John Doyle
- Jon Batiste
- Alan D. Marks
- Barbara Marks
- Lisane Basquiat
- Jeanine Basquiat
Institutions
- Cranbrook Art Museum
- Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt
- Foundation Louis Vuitton Paris
- Broadway
- The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Locations
- New York
- Michigan
- Frankfurt
- Paris
- Lower East Side
- United States
- Germany
- France