The Heart is a musical with a book by Kait Kerrigan and music by Ian and Anne Eisendrath with additional lyrics by Kerrigan. The musical is based on the 2014 French language novel Mend the Living (Réparer les vivants) by Maylis de Kerangal.
The musical had its world premiere on August 19, 2025, at the La Jolla Playhouse and will transfer Off-Broadway in the fall of 2026 as part of the Roundabout Theatre Company season at the Laura Pels Theatre.
Contents
Premise
The show follows the 24 hour journey of a heart transplant and the lives touched as it goes from one human to another. The music inside the show features EDM to represent the pulsating beating heart.
Production history
New York Stage and Film (2024)
The show was workshopped in August 2024 at the New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Summer Festival.
La Jolla (2025)
The show had its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse beginning August 19, 2025 where it received critical acclaim and extended its run from September 23 until the show closed October 5, 2025. The show was directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Mandy Moore.
Off-Broadway (2026)
The musical was announced to transfer Off-Broadway as part of Roundabout Theatre Company's 2026–2027 season at the Laura Pels Theatre, again directed by Ashley.
Musical numbers
"Simon Lamar's Heart"
"Keep Up"
"Won't Ever Let You Go"
"The Goldfinch"
"Quicksand"
"Gone In The Morning"
"Right Now"
"Dawn Patrol"
"Strike The Match"
"Nobody Gets Out Alive"
"A Life For A Life"
"Drift Away"
"Too Young"
"Keep Up (remix)"
"Marianne's Dream"
"Mend The Living"
