Julie Taymor and Elliot Goldenthal’s new musical sets New York world premiere

A new musical by two-time Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee Julie Taymor and Oscar winner and Tony nominee Elliot Goldenthal, will have its world premiere at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in 2027. Titled “The Grand Delusion,” the musical will run at BAM’s Harvey Theater from May 11 through June 6. 

Set in modern-day New York City, India and a metaphysical plane, “The Grand Delusion” is described as a “transporting and erotic musical fantasy.” The new musical combines dance, immersive design, puppetry and music.

The new musical is being produced by special arrangement with Chunsoo Shin and OD Company, the producer of Broadway’s “The Great Gatsby.” Shin also earned Tony nominations as a co-producer of “Titaníque” and the 2012 revival of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” 

Taymor and Goldenthal are longtime partners and collaborators. They co-wrote the book for the 1996 Broadway musical “Juan Darién,” which Taymor directed and for which Goldenthal penned the music and lyrics. “Juan Darién” was nominated for five Tonys, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical for Taymor and Best Original Musical Score for Goldenthal. In 2000, “The Green Bird,” directed by Taymor and with music by Goldenthal, bowed on Broadway. In Broadway circles, Taymor is best known for her Tony-winning direction and costume design of Disney’s “The Lion King.” Beyond the Main Stem, Taymor and Goldenthal  collaborated on the opera “Grendel,” which was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2007, and the 2017 Broadway revival of “M. Butterfly,” for which Goldenthal wrote original music and Taymor directed. Goldenthal also composed the Academy Award-winning score for the 2002 Frida Kahlo biopic “Frida”; the pair were nominated for Best Original Song for “Burn It Blue” from the movie.

“The Grand Delusion” will mark the duo’s first major theatrical collaboration in years.