“The Secret Life of Bees” is coming to the stage — again. The New York Times reports that a musical adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd’s 2001 novel — which was previously adapted into a one-woman play and a 2008 film— is on the way. The musical will be workshopped at Vassar College/New York Stage and Film’s Powerhouse theater season June 27–29.
Lynn Nottage, the first woman to win the Pulitzer for Drama twice, is set to write the musical’s book. Susan Birkenhead (“Monsoon Wedding”) will write the lyrics and Duncan Sheik (“Spring Awakening”) will compose. Sam Gold (“Fun Home”) will direct the production.
Set in 1964, “The Secret Life of Bees” is told from the perspective of Lily, a 14-year-old white girl growing up in the South. The novel follows Lily as she escapes from her abusive single father with her nanny, Rosaleen, who is black. The pair eventually find refuge and create a new family with the Boatwright sisters — August, June, and May — three black women who run their own beekeeping and honey-making business.
Other notable Powerhouse productions this season include “Stilyagi,” which features a book written by “Fun Home” Tony winner Lisa Kron, and “Good Men Wanted,” a portrait of women fighting in the Civil War.
“Love & Basketball” helmer Gina Prince-Bythewood wrote and directed the film adaptation of “The Secret Life of Bees.” It features an all-star cast including Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, and Paul Bettany.
Nottage recently won her second Pulitzer for “Sweat,” with which she also made her Broadway debut. “Sweat” is about dissatisfaction, anger, and resentment among the working class, specifically among factory workers facing layoffs in Reading, Pennsylvania. Nottage won her first Pulitzer in 2009 for “Ruined,” which focuses on “ruined” women — rape survivors and sex workers — in civil war-torn Congo.
Check out the Powerhouse website for more info on the “Secret Life of Bees” workshop.
