Photo via TEG+

Will Eisner’s graphic novel A Contract With God is set to be adapted into a Broadway musical. The seminal work, which was first published in 1978 and is widely recognized as the first graphic novel, will take the stage with original and new songs written by Matisyahu, Guster’s Ryan Miller, Sam Hollander, Lisa Loeb and Jill Sobule.

The production is in the works following TEG+’s acquisition of the stage rights to the novel. A Contract With God is comprised of four entwined stories about the lives of New Yorkers living in a fictional tenement house, many of whom are Jewish and/or immigrants. The graphic novel ushered in a new era of personal narratives that touched on topics from mortality to religion and sexuality, changing the way writers and artists approached the medium forever.

All of the members of the songwriting team for the upcoming Broadway show are Jewish composers and musicians. The writing and recording sessions will start soon, and Hollander will serve as music producer.

“When Vivek [Tiwary] sent me Will Eisner’s A Contract With God, I was instantly floored,” Hollander said. “Getting the chance to bring this seminal graphic novel to the stage in collaboration with an iconic crew of my talented Jewish pals is just the greatest thrill ever. It’s an amazing way for us all to honor our heritage while bringing this story of the 1930s New York immigrant struggle to a new audience.”

TEG+’s production is led by theater producer and author Vivek J. Tiwary, who is currently in the process of securing a book writer for the musical.

“For me, A Contract With God was a formative ground zero for all my creative work. I never met Will Eisner, and still, he is one of the great mentors of my life,” Tiwary said. “Like Will, I was born in New York City, a child of immigrants who grew up surrounded by immigrant dreams, both beautiful and frustrating. A Contract with God helped me understand both New York City and myself. I’m thrilled to now work alongside this group of top-notch inspiring Jewish musicians to bring a stage production of A Contract with God to both fans of the graphic novel and to inspire new audiences.”

Order a copy of A Contract With God at your local bookseller or here.