Goodman premieres new musical inspired by beauty titans Rubinsten and Arden

Posted November 12, 2015 12:00 am

Goodman Theatre announced Thursday Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole will star in the world premiere of "War Paint," a musical chronicling the rivalry between cosmetic company moguls Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden.

Previews begin June 28, 2016, replacing Mary Zimmerman's revival of "Wonderful Town," which has been rescheduled for fall 2016. .

Composer/lyricists Scott Frankel and Michael Korie ("Grey Gardens," "Far From Heaven") reunite with Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Doug Wright ("Grey Gardens," "I Am My Own Wife") to tell the story of these humbly born women who revolutionized an industry and emerged as the country's first female entrepreneurs.

Michael Greif ("Rent," "Grey Gardens") directs the musical inspired by Lindy Woodhead's book, "War Paint," and the documentary "The Powder & The Glory" by Ann Carol Grossman and Arnie Reisman.

"We are proud to produce the world premiere of 'War Paint' a bold and exciting new musical about two fearless women who broke new ground. It's particularly thrilling to collaborate with this enormously talented creative team," said Goodman artistic director Robert Falls in a prepared statement.

Two-time Tony Award-winner Christine Ebersole ("Grey Gardens," "42nd Street") is set to star alongside Patti LuPone in the world premiere musical "War Paint" about the dueling cosmetics titans Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago in 2016.

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