The Eisner-nominated comic trailblazes a new frontier for comic book adaptations
In the first-ever deal to create an operatic adaptation of a comic book or graphic novel, The Minnesota Opera, in collaboration with BOOM Studios, announced today the development of an operatic adaptation of The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, based on the acclaimed BOOM! Studios comic by writer Ram V, artist Filipe Andrade, colorist Inês Amaro, and letterer Andworld Design.
As part of the Minnesota Opera company’s New Works initiative, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, with composer Kamala Sankaram and librettist Minita Gandhi, will receive a piano workshop in November 2024 consisting of individual musical coachings and ensemble rehearsals allowing the pair to receive feedback on the upcoming piece. Working in coordination with MN Opera’s Artistic Planning Team, Sankaram and Gandhi secured the rights to adapt the story from author Ram V, illustrator Filipe Andrade, and publisher BOOM! Studios earlier this year.
“It’s an honor to have one of the most acclaimed graphic novels that BOOM! Studios has ever published, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, make history by becoming the first graphic novel to be adapted as an opera,” said Stephen Christy, President of Development for BOOM! Studios. “I’m thankful to our collaborators at the Minnesota Opera Company and our fearless creative team of Kamala Sankaram and Minita Gandhi for their groundbreaking vision in adapting Ram V and Filip Andrade’s meditation on life and death to the stage.”
The Many Deaths of Laila Starr graphic novel explores themes of life, death, and rebirth through a magical-realism lens. The story follows Laila Starr, an avatar of Death, who is cast down to Earth after humanity discovers immortality. As she intersects with the life of Darius, the boy responsible for this discovery, Laila experiences multiple deaths and resurrections, gaining new perspectives on mortality and the meaning of existence. Through its poetic narrative and vibrant artwork, the novel offers a profound meditation on the beauty and impermanence of life. The Many Deaths of Laila Starr was published by BOOM! Studios, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, and received an Eisner Award nomination for Best Limited Series in 2022.
The Eisner-award nominated comic is the first ever operatic adaptation of a comic book or graphic novel, and the full production is slated to premiere at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts at a date to be announced.