A musical based on David Ebershoff’s historical novel “The Danish Girl” is newly in development by Benson Drive Productions. The musical will feature a book and lyrics by Nora Brigid Monahan. Music will be composed by Alex Parker, and the musical will be directed by Georgie Rankcom. “The Danish Girl” will hold its first private workshop during the week of April 2.
The musical is based on Ebershoff’s 2000 novel of the same title, a fictionalized account of the life of Lili Elbe, a turn-of-the-century painter and transgender pioneer. “The Danish Girl” was adapted into an Academy Award-winning 2015 film starring Tony winner Eddie Redmayne, and a 2023 opera with music by composer Tobias Picker and libretto by Aryeh Lev Stollman.
Book writer Monahan is the creator of solo musical “Diva: Live from Hell” and scribe of “Maximilien Robespierre Did Nothing Wrong, or Virtue,” commissioned in 2021 by Off-Broadway’s 59E59 Theaters. Composer Parker is the musical director of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LW Entertainment, and director Rankcom is currently the UK associate director for the Olivier Award-nominated West End production of “Oh, Mary!”
“I am thrilled to be working with Georgie, Nora, and Alex to bring ‘The Danish Girl’ to the stage,” said Benson Drive Productions CEO George Strus in a statement. “David’s historic novel shaped queer literature by providing one of the earliest fictional accounts of gender affirmation surgery and our musical works to continue to honor the great life of Lili Elbe with a majority-trans creative team.”
“Authentic trans representation in the media is dwindling but is now more crucial than ever before; we hope this production not only uplifts David’s renowned text and Lili’s profound legacy, but also creates space for deeper understanding, empathy and connection across audiences in London, New York and beyond.”
Strus is a Broadway producer of “Illinoise,” “The Roommate,” “Romeo + Juliet,” “All In: Comedy About Love,” “Liberation,” “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” and “Oh, Mary!” Their productions have been nominated for three Tony Awards: “Illinoise” for Best Musical in 2024, “Romeo + Juliet” for Best Revival of a Play in 2025 and “Oh, Mary!” for Best Play in 2025.
