A Thrilling BLACK SWAN at American Repertory Theater

The American Repertory Theater is presenting the world premiere of “BLACK SWAN” at the Loeb Drama Center through July 12. Based on the 2010 Academy Award-nominated film, the musical follows Nina, a ballerina played by Melanie Moore, as she spirals while cast in the dual lead roles of “Swan Lake.”

How does the musical “BLACK SWAN” differ from the original film?

Jen Silverman adapted the original Andre Heinz screenplay to update the story for contemporary audiences. A primary change involves the character of the director; the film’s lascivious male artistic director is now a female choreographer named Margaux LeRoy, played by Amber Iman.

According to the production, this shift removes themes of sexual exploitation found in the film to focus on female empowerment. The role of the company’s artistic director, played by Thom Sesma, has been reduced in size compared to the original movie.

Did You Know? Dave Malloy, who wrote the music and lyrics for this production, previously saw his work “Ghost Quartet” win a 2015 Elliot Norton Award during its run at the American Repertory Theater.

Who is in the cast and creative team for the “BLACK SWAN” premiere?

Melanie Moore stars as Nina, while Ida Saki portrays the doppelgänger in Nina’s mind. The supporting cast includes Tory Trowbridge as Beth, a prima ballerina who loses her lead role, and Jada Simone Clark as Lily.

Mehry Eslaminia appears as Barbara, Nina’s mother, understudying Kate Jennings Grant. The production is directed and choreographed by Tony winner Sonya Tayeh, who previously worked on “Moulin Rouge: The Musical!”

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that the decision to replace the film’s predatory male lead with a demanding female choreographer alters the stakes of Nina’s psychological collapse, moving the conflict from external exploitation to internal and professional pressure.

What are the technical highlights of the production?

The production uses a pulsating score by Dave Malloy and music direction by Or Matias. Lighting by Isabella Byrd and sound by Kai Harada utilize alternating darkness and bright lights to create suspense.

seeing the world premiere musical Wonder at American Repertory Theater

The visual experience is supported by scenography from AMP featuring Marissa Todd, illusion design by Chris Fisher and Skylar Fox, and costumes by Shiona Turini.

What may happen next for the production?

Given the high-profile nature of the world premiere and Sonya Tayeh’s history of Tony-winning choreography, the production could potentially attract interest for future runs. The collaboration between the American Repertory Theater and Dave Malloy, who previously saw “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” move from ART to Broadway, may suggest a similar trajectory for this work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the world premiere of “BLACK SWAN” taking place?
The production is running at the Loeb Drama Center as part of the American Repertory Theater.

When does the current run of “BLACK SWAN” end?
The show runs through July 12.

Who wrote the music and lyrics for the musical?
The music, lyrics, and orchestrations were created by Dave Malloy.

Do you prefer stage adaptations that stay strictly faithful to the original film or those that update the story for modern audiences?