The singer-songwriter will make their theater debut as Lisa in the world premiere of a new stage adaptation of Girl, Interrupted at The Public Theater. This fresh take on Susanna Kaysen’s memoir arrives with original songs by Aimee Mann and promises to blend raw drama with powerful music.
Fans know King Princess for their bold pop sound and honest lyrics. Now they step into the iconic role Angelina Jolie made famous on screen. The production opens this spring and already has theater lovers talking.
A Classic Story Returns With Music and Fresh Energy
Susanna Kaysen’s 1993 memoir captured her time in a psychiatric hospital during the late 1960s. She checked herself in after a short meeting with a doctor. Inside the ward she met a group of young women navigating their own struggles. Their bonds formed in a place that felt both safe and confining.
The 1999 film brought the story to a wide audience. Winona Ryder played Susanna while Angelina Jolie delivered an Oscar-winning performance as the unpredictable Lisa. That movie remains a touchstone for many who connected with its honest look at mental health and friendship.
This new stage version keeps the heart of the original tale. It adds original songs from two-time Grammy winner Aimee Mann. Mann worked on the music for nearly a decade. Her 2021 album Queens of the Summer Hotel grew directly from the project. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok wrote the book. Her work brings a sharp modern voice to the material.
The show is described as a play with music. It explores how people find connection during their darkest times. Audiences can expect a mix of spoken scenes, songs, and choreography by Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh.
This timing feels right. Conversations about mental health have grown more open in recent years. A stage production offers a chance to experience the story live and feel its emotional weight in real time.
King Princess Brings Their Voice to a Complex Role
King Princess, born Mikaela Straus, has built a career on fearless self-expression. Their albums Cheap Queen, Hold On Baby, and Girl Violence showcase emotional depth and genre-blending style. Now they take on Lisa, the charismatic and troubled patient whose energy drives much of the story.
In the film, Lisa was magnetic, rebellious, and deeply complicated. King Princess seems well suited to capture those layers. They have spoken before about how acting feels similar to songwriting. Both require diving into a character and letting go of some control.
This marks their first time on stage. They already dipped into acting with a role in the second season of Nine Perfect Strangers and the film Song Sung Blue alongside Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Those experiences appear to have prepared them for this bigger challenge.
Their casting adds a new perspective. As a queer artist, King Princess may bring fresh insight to themes of identity and belonging that run through the story. Theater fans are curious to see how their musical background shapes the performance, especially with Mann’s songs woven throughout.
Powerful Cast and Creative Team Assemble
Juliana Canfield takes the central role of Susanna. She earned praise for her work in Stereophonic and appeared in Succession. Her grounded presence should balance the intensity of the ward scenes.
Emily Skinner plays Dr. Wick. Known for Suffs, she brings strong stage credentials. Ta’Rea Campbell appears as head nurse Valerie, while Katherine Reis takes on Daisy. The ensemble includes Gabi Campo as Tori, Mia Pak as Grace, Sally Shaw as Polly, and Lauren Jeanne Thomas as Judy. Manoel Felciano handles the role of Man/Musician.
A group of talented understudies rounds out the company: Leela Bassuk, Eileen Doan, Gunnar Manchester, Anna Roman, and Rachel Stern.
The creative team matches the cast’s strength. Jo Bonney directs. She has earned Tony nominations and Obie Awards for her sharp work. Sarah Laux handles scenic design, with costumes by Heather Gilbert. Andrea Grody serves as music supervisor and orchestrator. Molly Meg Legal is music director.
This combination of talent raises expectations. The Public Theater has launched many important works from its stages. A limited run in Martinson Hall from May 13 to June 21, 2026, with opening night on June 4, gives the show room to grow in an intimate setting.
Why This Production Matters Now
The move from memoir to film to stage shows how the story continues to connect across generations. Kaysen’s honest writing about her experiences broke new ground in the 1990s. The film turned it into a cultural reference point. Now the musical version invites audiences to engage with the material in a different way through live performance and song.
Mental health representation on stage has evolved. This production arrives at a moment when many people seek stories that feel authentic rather than sensationalized. The focus on female friendships and survival within systems that often fail vulnerable people adds depth.
King Princess has described acting as freeing because it lets them focus on the character without carrying every decision. That mindset could bring spontaneity to Lisa’s unpredictable nature. Their music career has always mixed vulnerability with strength. Those qualities should serve the role well.
Tickets are already in demand. The Public Theater offers some free and low-cost options, including a Joseph Papp Free Performance on the first preview night. Accessibility services are available for various performances.
The production also provides mental health resources for anyone who might need support after seeing the show. That thoughtful touch shows care for both the story and its audience.
This debut gives King Princess a chance to expand their artistic reach. For the theater world, it brings a popular music name into a serious new work. The combination could draw new crowds to The Public Theater while giving longtime fans a fresh experience of a beloved story.
The coming weeks will show how everything comes together. Yet the early signs point to something special. A beloved tale, strong creative voices, and an exciting casting choice suggest this Girl, Interrupted will leave a lasting impression.
