# Life After (musical)

Life After is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Britta Johnson. Loosely inspired by Johnson's real-life experiences, the musical focuses on sixteen-year-old Alice Carter, who has to navigate life after the death of her father.

## Premise

The musical follows the story of Alice Carter, a teenage girl who is confronted with the unexpected death of her father, Frank Carter, a charismatic self-help author. As Alice attempts to understand her father's life and reconcile her feelings of anger, guilt, and sorrow, she is joined and supported by her mother Beth, her sister Kate, best friend Hannah, and her English teacher Ms. Hopkins. Alice slowly uncovers layers of her father's past that challenge her initial perceptions, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

## Development

Johnson began to write the songs for the musical based on the grief she was experiencing after the death of her father. When she was 18, Johnson further developed the concept for the musical as a playwright-in-residence at the Paprika Festival in Toronto. After she first performed the musical at the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival, the musical caught the attention of Yonge Street Theatricals as well as Toronto-based theatre companies The Musical Stage Company and Canadian Stage Company. Johnson then further developed and expanded Life After into a full-length musical as part of a residency with The Musical Stage Company.

## Production history
### World premiere: Toronto

Life After was first presented as part of the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival. The musical was performed at the Theatre Passe Muraille from July 1–10, 2016. It won the Paul O’Sullivan Prize for Musical Theatre, awarded to the best script, as well as the Patron's Pick for musical theatre.
Following this success, it was developed into a full musical with The Musical Stage Company and the Canadian Stage Company, in Toronto. It began performances at the Berkeley Street Theatre on September 23, 2017, and was supposed to close on October 22, 2017. However, due to popular demand, the musical was extended by one week until October 29, 2017. This production was nominated for 12 Dora Awards, winning 6, including Best Musical Theatre Production and Best New Musical.

### San Diego (2019)

The musical received its American premiere at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. It began performances on March 22, 2019, before closing on April 28, 2019. The musical starred Sophie Hearn as Alice Carter and Bradley Dean as Frank Carter, and was directed by Barry Edelstein.
Shortly after the San Diego production closed, it was announced that the musical would transfer to the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.. It was scheduled to open in August 2021, however it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

### Chicago (2022)

Life After then played at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Performances began on June 11, 2022, and it closed on July 17, 2022. The production was further developed, and included an expanded set and new direction by Annie Tippe. It starred Samantha Williams as Alice Carter and Paul Alexander Nolan as Frank Carter.

### Toronto (2025)

In May 2024, it was announced that Life After will return to Toronto, where it will play at the Ed Mirvish Theatre. The production will begin performances on April 16, 2025, and was originally scheduled to close on May 4, 2025. However, the production was extended for a week due to popular demand, and will now close on May 10, 2025. The pre-Broadway engagement will star Isabella Esler as Alice Carter and Jake Epstein as Frank Carter.

## Cast and characters

| Role | World Premiere | San Diego | Chicago |
| Role | 2017 | 2019 | 2022 |
| Alice Carter | Ellen Denny | Sophie Hearn | Samantha Williams |
| Frank Carter | Dan Chameroy | Bradley Dean | Paul Alexander Nolan |
| Kate Carter | Rielle Braid | Charlotte Maltby | Skyler Volpe |
| Hannah | Kelsey Verzotti | Livvy Marcus | Lucy Panush |
| Beth Carter | Tracy Michailidis | Mamie Parris | Bryonha Marie Parham |
| Ms. Hopkins | Trish Lindström | Dan’yelle Williamson | Jen Sese |
| The Furies | Neema Bickersteth Barbara Fulton Anika Johnson | Ximone Rose Mackenzie Warren Charlotte Mary Wen | Ashley Pérez Flanagan Lauryn Hobbs Chelsea Williams |

## Musical numbers

* "Frank's Message #1" – Frank
* "Alice Finds Out" – Beth, Kate, Hannah, Furies
* "The Funeral" – Beth, Kate, Hannah, Ms. Hopkins, Frank, Furies
* "If I Knew" – Alice, Furies
* "Control What You Can" – Kate, Alice, Beth, Frank
* "Dedication #1" – Beth, Furies
* "Route 33" – Frank
* "The Party" – Hannah, Frank, Alice, Furies
* "Route 33 (reprise) / Beth and Kate at Home" – Frank, Alice, Beth, Kate
* "Back at School" – Furies
* "Forgive Yourself" – Ms. Hopkins, Frank, Beth, Kate, Alice, Furies
* "Frank's Message #2" – Frank
* "Dedication #2" – Beth, Furies
* "A Moment" – Kate, Alice, Beth, Frank, Ms. Hopkins, Furies
* "Frank on the Porch" – Frank, Furies
* "Moving" – Ms. Hopkins
* "Wallpaper" – Beth
* "Will I Grow?" – Alice, Furies
* "Snow" – Alice, Frank
* "Poetry" – Alice

## Critical reception

The 2017 world premiere production in Toronto received widespread critical acclaim.
Carly Maga of the Toronto Star praised Johnson's ability to portray the "overwhelming, surreal nature of grief", and commented that the musical's emotions rivaled that of more traditional, full-length plays. Taylor Long, writing for BroadwayWorld, said that the show is "musical theatre perfection" and that "the quality of the orchestra, especially with Reza Jacobs shaping the music, rivals anything you hear on Broadway." J. Kelly Nestruck of The Globe and Mail similarly praised the musical, comparing it favorably to similarly themed musicals such as Next to Normal and Dear Evan Hansen.
Reviewing the 2019 San Diego production for The San Diego Union-Tribune, James Hebert called the show a "luminous new musical" and praised Johnson's songwriting and storytelling, the cast's performances, as well as the musical orchestrations.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding Musical Theatre Production | Outstanding Musical Theatre Production | Won |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding New Musical | Outstanding New Musical | Won |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding Direction | Robert McQueen | Won |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding Musical Direction | Lynne Shankel & Reza Jacobs | Won |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Linda Garneau | Nominated |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding Performance (Male) | Dan Chameroy | Nominated |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding Performance (Female) | Tracy Michalidis | Won |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding Performance (Female) | Ellen Denny | Nominated |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding Ensemble Performance | Outstanding Ensemble Performance | Won |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding Scenic Design | Brandon Kleinman | Nominated |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding Costume Design | Ming Wong | Nominated |
| 2018 | Dora Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design | Kimberly Purtell | Nominated |
| 2019 | San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Musical | Outstanding Musical | Nominated |
| 2019 | San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical | Sophie Hearn | Won |
| 2019 | San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Musical | Barry Edelstein | Won |
| 2019 | San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Scenic Design | Neil Patel | Nominated |
| 2019 | San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design | Japhy Weideman | Won |
| 2019 | San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Projection Design | Sven Ortel | Nominated |
| 2022 | Joseph Jefferson Awards | Outstanding Musical Production | Outstanding Musical Production | Nominated |
| 2022 | Joseph Jefferson Awards | Outstanding Performer in a Supporting Role - Musical | Bryonha Marie Parham | Nominated |
| 2022 | Joseph Jefferson Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Musical | Annie Tippe | Won |
| 2022 | Joseph Jefferson Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design | Yi Zhao | Nominated |