KELLY v. KELLY
Inspired by true events from 1915 in New York, KELLY v. KELLY reveals the story of a mother and daughter divided by passion, money and what it means to be a woman at a time of huge societal change. When a 19-year-old heiress becomes tangled in an affair with a seductive tango dancer, her distraught mother has her arrested and charged with incorrigibility, sparking a court case that scandalizes the nation.
Featuring an electrifying musical score and mesmeric choreography, the inaugural production of KELLY v. KELLY will take you inside the imaginations of two of Canada’s most celebrated musical theatre forces.
KELLY v. KELLY is the third production in The Crescendo Series, a three-year commitment by The Musical Stage Company to produce the work of Britta Johnson and her collaborators.
VIDEO GALLERY
A Musical Stage Company Production in Association with Canadian Stage




Sponsors
Credits
Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund.
Commissioned with funding from the Aubrey and Marla Dan Fund for New Musicals.
'KELLY v. KELLY" was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project at Sheridan College in Oakville, Canada, Michael Rubinoff, Producing Artistic Director.
Book
Sara Farb
Music & Lyrics
Britta Johnson
Director & Choreographer
Tracey Flye
Music Supervisor, Orchestrator, Arranger
Lynne Shankel
Venue
Frequently Asked Questions
Show Calendar
TICKETS
Tickets for KELLY v. KELLY are on sale now as part of Canadian Stage’s 2022-23 Subscription Season. Learn more by clicking here
IMPORTANT DATES
- General Public On Sale: August 9, 2022
CREATOR BIOS
SARA FARB
Sara Farb is known for Delphi in HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD on Broadway; five seasons at Stratford (Juliet, Anne Frank, Cordelia, many others); Medium Alison in FUN HOME (Musical Stage/Mirvish, Dora nominee, TTCA winner); Brigid in THE HUMANS (Canadian premiere at Citadel/Canadian Stage); productions at Soulpepper, Theatre Calgary, Tarragon, Theatre Passe Muraille, Segal Centre, YPT, and others. Sara and Britta Johnson’s original musical, KELLY V. KELLY, was postponed due to Covid but will hopefully see a full production this coming theatre season.
BRITTA JOHNSON
Britta Johnson is a writer, composer and lyricist based in Toronto. She made her American debut when her original musical, LIFE AFTER, opened at the Old Globe in San Diego in 2019 following an extended, multiple Dora award-winning run at Canadian Stage. Other credits include: With her sister Anika: DR.SILVER, BRANTWOOD, JACOB TWO-TWO, and TRAP DOOR. With Sara Farb: KELLY V. KELLY, REFRAMED. With Katherine Cullen: “STUPIDHEAD!” She was the librettist for choreographer Robert Binet’s adaptation of THE KREUTZER SONATA (with Ballet Moscow), and was recently named one of 50 Women to Watch by the Broadway Women’s Fund of America.