The Heart (musical)

The Heart
MusicIan Eisendrath
Anne Eisendrath
LyricsKait Kerrigan
Ian Eisendrath
Anne Eisendrath
BookKait Kerrigan
BasisThe Heart (2014)
By: Maylis de Kerangal
Productions2025 La Jolla Playhouse

The Heart is a musical with a book by Kait Kerrigan and music by Ian and Anne Eisendrath with additional lyrics by Kerrigan. The musical is based on the 2014 French language novel Mend the Living (Réparer les vivants) by Maylis de Kerangal.[1]

The musical had its world premiere on August 19, 2025, at the La Jolla Playhouse and will transfer Off-Broadway in the fall of 2026 as part of the Roundabout Theatre Company season at the Laura Pels Theatre.[2]

Premise

The show follows the 24 hour journey of a heart transplant and the lives touched as it goes from one human to another. The music inside the show features EDM to represent the pulsating beating heart.

Production history

New York Stage and Film (2024)

The show was workshopped in August 2024 at the New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Summer Festival.[3]

La Jolla (2025)

The show had its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse beginning August 19, 2025 where it received critical acclaim and extended its run from September 23 until the show closed October 5, 2025. The show was directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Mandy Moore.[4]

Off-Broadway (2026)

The musical was announced to transfer Off-Broadway as part of Roundabout Theatre Company's 2026–2027 season at the Laura Pels Theatre, again directed by Ashley.[5]

Original cast and characters

Character Workshop (2024) La Jolla (2025) Off Broadway (2026)
Claire Major and others Heidi Blickenstaff
Thomas Driscoll and others Jay Armstrong Johnson Lincoln Clauss
Cordelia Owl and others Taylor Iman Jones Bre Jackson
Juliette Brooks and others Gizel Jiménez Max McKenna
Marianne Lamar and others Lisa Brescia Kenita R. Miller Joaquina Kalukango
Dr. Breva and others Drew Gehling Paul Alexander Nolan Drew Gehling
Simon Lamar and others Zachary Noah Piser Nick T. Daly
Marthe Carrera and others Wren Rivera
Sean Lamar and others Miguel Cervantes Jason Tam

Musical numbers

  • "Simon Lamar's Heart"
  • "Keep Up"
  • "Won't Ever Let You Go"
  • "The Goldfinch"
  • "Quicksand"
  • "Gone In The Morning"
  • "Right Now"
  • "Dawn Patrol"
  • "Strike The Match"
  • "Nobody Gets Out Alive"
  • "A Life For A Life"
  • "Drift Away"
  • "Too Young"
  • "Keep Up (remix)"
  • "Marianne's Dream"
  • "Mend The Living"

References