Pop star Carly Rae Jepsen and composer Ethan Gruska are joining forces to create the score for an upcoming musical. The production will feature a book written by “Girls” creator Lena Dunham and playwright Jessica Huang, bringing together a unique combination of creative talents from the music and entertainment industries.
A Collaborative Creative Team
The musical represents a new venture for Jepsen, who rose to fame with her 2012 hit single “Call Me Maybe.” While she has established herself as a pop music powerhouse with albums like “Emotion” and “Dedicated,” this project marks her first major foray into theatrical composition.
Gruska, her collaborator on the score, brings his experience as a songwriter and producer who has worked with artists including Phoebe Bridgers and Fiona Apple. His background in creating textured, nuanced musical arrangements may complement Jepsen’s pop sensibilities.
On the writing side, Dunham brings her distinctive voice and perspective from her work as the creator, writer, and star of HBO’s “Girls,” as well as her film and literary projects. Huang, an accomplished playwright whose works have been produced across the country, adds her theatrical expertise to the collaboration.
Musical Theater Crossovers
This project joins a growing trend of pop musicians crossing over into musical theater. In recent years, artists like Sara Bareilles (“Waitress”), Cyndi Lauper (“Kinky Boots”), and Elton John (“The Lion King,” “Billy Elliot”) have successfully translated their musical talents to the stage.
For Jepsen, whose music often features emotional storytelling and character-driven narratives, the transition to musical theater could be a natural evolution. Her pop sensibilities, combined with Gruska’s compositional skills, may create a score that appeals to both traditional theater audiences and contemporary music fans.
The Writers’ Vision
While specific details about the musical’s plot and setting have not been revealed, the pairing of Dunham and Huang suggests a production that might blend Dunham’s candid, often autobiographical storytelling style with Huang’s exploration of cultural identity and human relationships.
Dunham, known for her frank portrayal of young adult life and relationships, has previously worked primarily in television, film, and literature. This musical represents a new medium for her storytelling.
Huang brings significant theatrical writing experience to the project. Her plays, which often examine cultural identity and family dynamics, have been developed and produced at theaters including the Public Theater and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
The combination of these four artists—representing different backgrounds and artistic approaches—suggests a musical that might push boundaries while drawing on multiple creative traditions.
Details regarding production timeline, premiere dates, and casting have not yet been announced, but the project has already generated interest due to its high-profile creative team.
