Girl, Interrupted Stage Adaptation at The Public Theater

The Public Theater is staging a new musical adaptation of Susanna Kaysen's memoir Girl, Interrupted, with a book by Martyna Majok, songs by Aimee Mann, choreography by Sonya Tayeh, and direction by Jo Bonney. The play is a nonlinear memory piece set inside McLean Hospital, where Kaysen was hospitalized in 1967. Juliana Canfield plays Susanna, opposite musician King Princess as Lisa. The cast includes Ta'Rea Campbell, Gabi Campo, Mia Pak, Katherine Reis, Sally Shaw, Emily Skinner, Lauren Jeanne Thomas, and Manoel Feliciano. The production incorporates a chorus of patients and songs exploring mental illness, referencing real-life McLean patients Robert Lowell, Sylvia Plath, Ray Charles, and James Taylor. An intimacy coordinator, Ann James, assists with de-roleing. Previews begin May 13, opening night June 4.