A new musical is in the works about the Leonardo Da Vinci artwork “Salvator Mundi.” Tony Award-winning producer Anita Waxman has signed on as executive producer of the show, titled “Salvator Mundi — The Greatest Story Ever Sold.” Waxman will oversee development of the Broadway-aimed musical, which was conceived by Elliott Arkin.
“Salvator Mundi” is a musical comedy inspired by the true story of Da Vinci’s titular late-15th-century painting. Purchased for $1,175 in 2005 and then sold for a record-breaking $450 million 12 years later, the painting’s attribution as a true work of Da Vinci has fallen into question. “Salvator Mundi” was originally brought into development by Caiola Productions.
Waxman is the principal of Alexis Productions and co-founder (with Elizabeth Williams) of Waxman-Wiliams. In a Broadway producing career that has spanned four decades, Waxman has several Tonys, including trophies for producing revival of “The Real Thing,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Hello, Dolly!” No stranger to mounting musicals inspired by works of art, Waxman is attached to “Little Dancer,” which pays homage to Edgar Degas’ “Petit Danseuse de 14 ans.”
Arkin is a New York-based artist whose larger-than-life sculptures often depict notable figures of the art world and a juxtaposition of art history, humor and social commentary. Arkin’s work is included in permanent exhibitions at Paris’ Louvre, New York Public Library, New York Historical Society and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nice, France. Arkin’s connection to the real “Salvator Mundi” is longstanding; two days after the 2017 auction, Arkin trademarked the phrase “Salvator Mundi,” which means “savior of the world” in Latin.
“Meeting Anita has been a dream come true,” Arkin said in a statement. “Her passion and knowledge of art, her extraordinary Broadway experience and her vision for shaping the story — I couldn’t ask for a better collaborator to bring this to life.”
“Elliott’s vision, creativity and enthusiasm were intoxicating,” said Waxman. “I knew I had to join this wild, joyful ride.”
Additional members of the creative team will be announced. “Salavtor Mundi” will hold industry readings in late spring 2026.
