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Johnson began to write the songs for the musical based on the grief she was experiencing after the death of her father. When she was 18, Johnson further developed the concept for the musical as a playwright-in-residence at the
Paprika Festival in Toronto. After she first performed the musical at the
121:
The musical follows the story of Alice Carter, a teenage girl who is confronted with the unexpected death of her father, Frank Carter, a charismatic self-help author. As Alice attempts to understand her father's life and reconcile her feelings of anger, guilt, and sorrow, she is joined and supported
170:, in Toronto. It began performances at the Berkeley Street Theatre on September 23, 2017, and was supposed to close on October 22, 2017. However, due to popular demand, the musical was extended by one week until October 29, 2017. This production was nominated for 12
122:
by her mother Beth, her sister Kate, best friend Hannah, and her
English teacher Ms. Hopkins. Alice slowly uncovers layers of her father's past that challenge her initial perceptions, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
232:. Performances began on June 11, 2022, and it closed on July 17, 2022. The production was further developed, and included an expanded set and new direction by Annie Tippe. It starred Samantha Williams as Alice Carter and
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praised
Johnson's ability to portray the "overwhelming, surreal nature of grief", and commented that the musical's emotions rivaled that of more traditional, full-length plays. Taylor Long, writing for
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528:, James Hebert called the show a "luminous new musical" and praised Johnson's songwriting and storytelling, the cast's performances, as well as the musical orchestrations.
131:
2016 Toronto Fringe
Festival, the musical caught the attention of Yonge Street Theatricals as well as Toronto-based theatre companies The Musical Stage Company and
113:. Loosely inspired by Johnson's real-life experiences, the musical focuses on sixteen-year-old Alice Frank, who has to navigate life after the death of her father.
924:
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from July 1–10, 2016. It won the Paul O’Sullivan Prize for
Musical Theatre, awarded to the best script, as well as the Patron's Pick for musical theatre.
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190:. It began performances on March 22, 2019, before closing on April 28, 2019. The musical starred Sophie Hearn as Alice Frank and
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1223:"San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Announced Nominations For 2019 Craig Noel Awards For Theatrical Excellence"
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1248:"Nominees Announced for 2022 Jeff Awards In Chicago; Drury Lane & Goodman Theatre Lead Nominations"
201:
Shortly after the San Diego production closed, it was announced that the musical would transfer to the
1171:"Review: Life After showcases many talents of Britta Johnson, marks Toronto musical theatre milestone"
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1067:"'Fifteen Dogs' and the acclaimed musical 'Life After' will return to Toronto in Off-Mirvish season"
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Following this success, it was developed into a full musical with The
Musical Stage Company and the
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1197:"Review: Old Globe's 'Life After' is a lush, poetic and surprisingly funny meditation on grief"
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similarly praised the musical, comparing it favorably to similarly themed musicals such as
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The 2017 world premiere production in
Toronto received widespread critical acclaim.
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into a full-length musical as part of a residency with The
Musical Stage Company.
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837:"Award-winning Canadian musical 'Life After' heads to Chicago's Goodman Theatre"
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209:. It was scheduled to open in August 2021, however it was cancelled due to the
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174:, winning 6, including Best Musical Theatre Production and Best New Musical.
925:"Britta Johnson's Life After Musical to Hit the Stage in Toronto This Fall"
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441:"Route 33 (reprise) / Beth and Kate at Home" – Frank, Alice, Beth, Kate
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will return to
Toronto, where it will play a limited engagement at the
1093:"Life After is a complex, moving look at grief, guilt and forgiveness"
187:
87:
1145:"Review: Britta Johnson's LIFE AFTER is Musical Theatre Perfection"
447:"Forgive Yourself" – Ms. Hopkins, Frank, Beth, Kate, Alice, Furies
951:"Britta Johnson's musical "Life After" is extended to October 29"
229:
92:
82:
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1119:"'Life After' is well written, well performed and well produced"
1038:"Life After Completes Run at Chicago's Goodman Theatre July 17"
897:"Britta Johnson is Canadian musical theatre's next great hope"
423:"The Funeral" – Beth, Kate, Hannah, Ms. Hopkins, Frank, Furies
981:"Jerusalem and Life After top 2018 Dora Mavor Moore Awards"
456:"A Moment" – Kate, Alice, Beth, Frank, Ms. Hopkins, Furies
780:
Outstanding
Performer in a Supporting Role - Musical
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429:"Control What You Can" – Kate, Alice, Beth, Frank
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1007:"Arena Stage Reveals Updated 2020–2021 Season"
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420:"Alice Finds Out" – Beth, Kate, Hannah, Furies
182:The musical received its American premiere at
135:. Johnson then further developed and expanded
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522:Reviewing the 2019 San Diego production for
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868:"Life After,' a musical with life lessons"
709:Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical
438:"The Party" – Hannah, Frank, Alice, Furies
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1169:Nestruck, J. Kelly (29 September 2017).
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696:San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards
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194:as Frank Carter, and was directed by
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895:Fricker, Karen (26 September 2017).
459:"Frank on the Porch" – Frank, Furies
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791:Outstanding Direction of a Musical
720:Outstanding Direction of a Musical
244:In May 2024, it was announced that
177:
159:. The musical was performed at the
13:
1143:Long, Taylor (30 September 2017).
411:
252:between April 16 and May 4, 2025.
14:
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1117:Maga, Carly (29 September 2017).
866:Lowerison, Jean (23 March 2019).
652:Outstanding Ensemble Performance
633:Outstanding Performance (Female)
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239:
216:
601:Lynne Shankel & Reza Jacobs
109:with music, lyrics, and book by
1240:
1221:Wild, Stephi (1 January 2020).
1195:Hebert, James (30 March 2019).
770:Outstanding Musical Production
620:Outstanding Performance (Male)
1091:Sumi, Glenn (2 October 2017).
998:
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753:Outstanding Projection Design
598:Outstanding Musical Direction
468:"Will I Grow?" – Alice, Furies
453:"Dedication #2" – Beth, Furies
432:"Dedication #1" – Beth, Furies
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1:
1065:Chong, Joshua (17 May 2024).
1036:Putnam, Leah (17 July 2022).
1005:Gans, Andrew (15 July 2020).
835:Chong, Joshua (12 Jan 2022).
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802:Outstanding Lighting Design
742:Outstanding Lighting Design
682:Outstanding Lighting Design
450:"Frank's Message #2" – Frank
417:"Frank's Message #1" – Frank
7:
1201:The San Diego Union-Tribune
979:Yeo, Debra (26 June 2018).
671:Outstanding Costume Design
525:The San Diego Union-Tribune
426:"If I Knew" – Alice, Furies
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731:Outstanding Scenic Design
660:Outstanding Scenic Design
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444:"Back at School" – Furies
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767:Joseph Jefferson Awards
579:Outstanding New Musical
157:Toronto Fringe Festival
148:World premiere: Toronto
587:Outstanding Direction
532:Awards and nominations
462:"Moving" – Ms. Hopkins
387:Ashley Pérez Flanagan
168:Canadian Stage Company
161:Theatre Passe Muraille
133:Canadian Stage Company
66:Theatre Passe Muraille
783:Bryonha Marie Parham
471:"Snow" – Alice, Frank
402:Dan’yelle Williamson
365:Bryonha Marie Parham
184:The Old Globe Theatre
699:Outstanding Musical
308:Paul Alexander Nolan
234:Paul Alexander Nolan
384:Charlotte Mary Wen
256:Cast and characters
224:then played at the
1175:The Globe and Mail
505:The Globe and Mail
486:Carly Maga of the
479:Critical reception
465:"Wallpaper" – Beth
435:"Route 33" – Frank
373:Neema Bickersteth
359:Tracy Michailidis
323:Samantha Williams
250:Ed Mirvish Theatre
143:Production history
1290:Original musicals
1285:Canadian musicals
957:. 11 October 2019
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685:Kimberly Purtell
663:Brandon Kleinman
636:Tracy Michalidis
501:J. Kelly Nestruck
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391:Chelsea Williams
382:Mackenzie Warren
334:Charlotte Maltby
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236:as Frank Carter.
211:COVID-19 pandemic
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1254:. 24 August 2022
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474:"Poetry" – Alice
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178:San Diego (2019)
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331:Rielle Braid
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841:Toronto Star
840:
794:Annie Tippe
644:Ellen Denny
624:Dan Chameroy
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489:Toronto Star
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396:Ms. Hopkins
380:Ximone Rose
356:Beth Carter
351:Lucy Panush
328:Kate Carter
317:Ellen Denny
303:Bradley Dean
298:Dan Chameroy
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1097:Now Toronto
756:Sven Ortel
734:Neil Patel
565:Dora Awards
370:The Furies
203:Arena Stage
172:Dora Awards
126:Development
78:Productions
1274:Categories
955:Stage Door
815:References
808:Nominated
786:Nominated
773:Nominated
759:Nominated
737:Nominated
702:Nominated
688:Nominated
677:Nominated
674:Ming Wong
666:Nominated
647:Nominated
628:Nominated
615:Nominated
269:San Diego
246:Life After
222:Life After
153:Life After
137:Life After
102:Life After
24:Life After
545:Category
405:Jen Sese
188:San Diego
88:San Diego
1042:Playbill
1011:Playbill
805:Yi Zhao
548:Nominee
272:Chicago
59:Premiere
1016:21 June
906:14 June
551:Result
342:Hannah
230:Chicago
117:Premise
107:musical
93:Chicago
83:Toronto
70:Toronto
1258:6 July
1232:30 May
1206:30 May
1180:30 May
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1128:30 May
1102:9 June
1076:30 May
1047:30 May
990:15 May
961:15 May
935:7 June
877:15 May
846:15 May
542:Award
41:Lyrics
764:2022
693:2019
561:2018
539:Year
263:Role
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86:2019
81:2017
31:Music
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797:Won
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715:Won
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572:Won
555:Ref.
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283:2019
278:2017
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