[1][2] The musical is set in the 1960s in South Carolina, and tells the story of Lily Owens and Rosaleen, two young women who become friends in the face of adversity, and embark on an adventure of self discovery thanks to the Boatwright sisters, three women they meet who work as beekeepers on a honey farm.
[3] The story had previously been adapted as a film of the same name, released in 2008, directed and written by Gina Prince-Bythewood.
The show was first performed at Vassar College in July 2017 as part of the Powerhouse Theatre Program summer season, in partnership with New York Stage and Film.
[4][5] The musical premiered on the Linda Gross Stage at the Atlantic Theatre Company on May 12, 2019.
Orchestrations were done by John Clancy, with musical direction by Jason Hart.