The Curious Case of Benjamin Button musical to open in New York

The stage musical adaptation of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will receive its North American premiere at the Public Theater’s Newman Theatre this autumn, following a previous award-winning run in London’s West End.

The production features a book and lyrics by Jethro Compton and music and lyrics by Darren Clark, and is based on the short story by F Scott Fitzgerald. Compton also directs, with choreography by Chi-San Howard.

Set in a Cornish fishing village, it tells the story of Benjamin Button – a man who ages in reverse. Fitzgerald’s short story has been adapted for the stage for 15 actor-musicians by Compton and Clark, with the piece receiving three glowing reviews from WhatsOnStage – amounting to a maximum of 15 stars.

Playing at the Ambassadors Theatre from 2024 to 2025, the show won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, alongside two other prizes.

It had its first ever run in the intimate Southwark Playhouse Small in 2019, with a cast of five, and has gradually grown since then. We spoke to Compton last week, where he teased the transfer.