“The Heart,” a new musical that opened Thursday at the Laura Pels Theater in New York, explores themes of life, death, and renewal through the story of a young man’s tragic car accident and the subsequent organ donation that offers hope to others. Based on the French novel by Maylis de Kerangal, the production unfolds over a compressed 90-minute timeframe, distilling the novel's dense narrative, which originally spans 24 hours.
The plot centers on Simon, a 19-year-old who becomes brain-dead after a surfing accident and is kept on life support. His story continues beyond his death through the efforts of medical professionals and the impact of his heart transplant on a recipient awaiting a new lease on life. The cast, led by Joaquína Kalukango as Simon’s mother Marianne and Jason Tam as his father Sean, also features Max McKenna as Simon’s girlfriend Juliette, Nick T. Daly portraying Simon, and Heidi Blickenstaff as Claire, the patient who receives Simon’s heart after years on the transplant waiting list.
The production is directed by Christopher Ashley and features a score by Anne and Ian Eisendrath that incorporates electronic dance music elements, lending a contemporary and rhythmic pulse to the narrative. This musical choice aligns with the thematic focus on the heart’s beat, blending emotional depth with an energized tempo. Music director Wendy Bobbitt Cavett conducts the orchestra, ensuring a seamless integration of the electronic score with the show’s dramatic arc.
Kait Kerrigan’s book adapts the novel by streamlining characters and events, maintaining the story’s urgency while omitting some secondary figures, such as two of Simon’s friends and some logistical aspects of the transplant process. The adaptation focuses on a tight, kinetic storytelling style, supported by Mandy Moore’s choreography, which emphasizes fluid, natural movement over traditional musical theater dance numbers. This approach allows for a clear, cohesive presentation of intersecting character narratives.
Among the medical staff, Bre Jackson’s portrayal of nurse Cordelia and Drew Gehling’s Dr. Breva stand out, offering distinct and vivid characterizations that avoid cliché. Lincoln Clauss plays Thomas, the transplant coordinator tasked with persuading Simon’s parents to donate his organs, a role crucial to the story’s emotional stakes.
The set design by Robert Brill uses minimal props creatively, transforming an operating table into various symbolic elements, while Lucy Mackinnon’s video projections and Amanda Zieve’s lighting design create an environment that shifts effortlessly between the sterile atmosphere of a hospital and the warmth of the outdoors.
“The Heart” offers a fresh and thoughtful exploration of mortality and the human connections forged through loss and generosity. Its contemporary musical style and streamlined storytelling bring new energy to a subject often treated with solemnity, making it a notable addition to the current theatrical season.