Much has been said, produced and written about the figure of Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderón, her artistic legacy, her sensitivity to indigenous culture and her feminist vision. She shines in adversity, coping with pain, knowing love, and healing from heartbreak.
She was born in 1907 and died in 1954. Her artwork continues to be exhibited in museums and galleries around the world. Now it has also inspired FRIDA, The Musical, which comes to Broadway thanks to an integrated artistic team of American playwright Neena Beber and Mexican composer, director and arranger Jaime Lozano.
This musical is not the first of its kind to feature Frida’s legacy, but it is the only one that has the approval of the artist’s family, according to Lozano in an interview with AL DÍA.
A Mexican native of Monterrey, Jaime Lozano received his BFA in Music and Composition from the School of Music at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and a full scholarship to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he has the distinction of being a Mexican first. to be admitted to and earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Graduate Program in Musical Theater Writing.
Recently, Jaime performed his concert Jaime Lozano and the Familia: Songs by an Immigrant, with sold-out shows at Two River Theater, Joe’s Pub, The Green Room 42, and Feinstein’s/54 Below, in which he highlights the immigrant experience in United States. the states.
Jaime’s plays have been produced at venues such as the Minskoff Theater (Broadway), the Lucille Lortel Theater (Off-Broadway), the Pearl Theater (Off-Broadway), and the Triad Theatre.
He says he arrived in New York City “for the first time in 2007 without speaking English. From day one, it has been my goal to write and tell different stories, related to my country, my culture, my journey as an immigrant and the challenges we live in this country. Always using my music, the music of my Mexico and the music of Latin America.” He also says, “I’m one of the few Mexican musical theater composers doing musicals in New York.”
What does it mean to participate in a musical like FRIDA?
It is a great pride to write this story, but a great responsibility. When the news broke, I immediately started receiving messages from actors, composers and directors very enthusiastic about the project. Frida Coming to Broadway means Mexico on Broadway; so other artists see that we can tell our stories and reach the most important stages in the world.
Imagine now having the opportunity to cover the story of the most important Mexican artist in the world.
How will this musical contribute to Frida’s worldview?
We are very blessed to have the support of the Kahlo family. We are basing the musical on a beautiful book, very close to the family: Frida intima, written by Isolda Pinedo Kahlo, Frida’s niece, daughter of her sister Cristina and who lived with Frida and Diego Rivera at Casa Azul for many years. This book gives us a very different perspective, it presents us with a very cheerful Frida, who loved to sing all the time, humane and generous.
We are used to seeing her paintings in which she portrayed so much pain and how difficult her life was. But Frida loved living with all the challenges she faced. We want to portray this great human being in a three-dimensional way. Of course there was pain, sorrow and difficult moments, but her life was full of joys, triumphs and joys. I believe that by portraying this human Frida we will get even closer to her.
How will the process of creating and organizing FRIDA be?
The process of bringing a musical to the stage is very long. There are musicals that take seven years to reach Broadway. We have to decide which moments we want to show and how to tie everything together. Both the writing and production process is long and slow, but we hope to reach a world premiere in a few years.
Her heirs Mara Romeo and Mara de Anda have been very helpful in learning more about her history. Frida is Mexico, she represents us and we want this musical to represent us around the world.
