The life and career of Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) will soon be immortalized in song. The late artist’s estate has green-lit plans for an original Broadway musical from veteran producers Alan D. Marks and Barbara Marks inspired by his life and art.
The production will trace Basquiat’s rapid rise from a street artist who tagged derelict buildings on the Lower East Side with poetic graffiti signed SAMO to a sought-after painter who became famous against the backdrop of New York’s fast-growing art scene in the late 1970s and ’80s. The artist died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27.
“Over the years, many people have approached us about telling our brother’s story on stage. But having discussed this project with the Marks over many months, our interest was piqued once we understood that their approach to telling our brother’s story treats his life, his art, and his legacy with respect and passion,” said the artist’s sisters, Lisane and Jeanine Basquiat, in a statement. “We cannot wait to begin the developmental process. Broadway is a new world for us, and we looking forward to sharing our brother’s life and art.” Read more