By: Phoebe Shi

There is already a ton of content about Frida Khalo’s life, but this new Broadway musical will shine the spotlight on parts of her life we haven’t seen yet!

“Frida, The Musical” will be written by playwright Neena Beber, include music by Jamie Lozano, and be produced by Valentina Berger. It is expected to open on Broadway in 2024. It will be based on “Intimate Frida,” a book written by Frida Kahlo’s niece Isolda P. Kahlo, as well as conversations with the rest of Kahlo’s family.

“She was passionate about music, arts and Mexican culture. Frida, The Musical honors everything she was: a real woman who fought for her dreams, loved like anybody else and always lived ahead of her time,” said Mara Romeo Kahlo, who is heir to Kahlo’s assets.

Berger is looking forward to portraying a more lighthearted and joyful side of Kahlo.

“Everyone knows a colder Frida, a suffering Frida, but she loved life,” she says. Kahlo had suffered a streetcar accident at age 18, leaving her with chronic pain. Most of the time, she had to paint from her bed.

Despite the sadness in her life, there were lighter sides to her as well. Berger recently visited Kahlo’s family in Mexico. She learned a lot about Kahlo and her family, heard them play the songs Frida used to sing to them, and listened to them tell stories about her.

Lozano is a Mexican immigrant, like Kahlo, and he says he relates to her. The Kahlo family asked him to write the music for the musical. So far, ten songs have been written for the musical, but there are still more to come.