The Gardens of Anuncia Cast Album Will Release This Month

The Gardens of Anuncia's previously announced cast album will digitally release March 22 from Ghostlight Records. The Michael John LaChiusa musical got an Off-Broadway premiere via Lincoln Center Theater last year, and the album was recorded December 4.

Pre-save the album here.

The musical opened November 20, 2023, at LCT's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater—read the reviews here. The run concluded December 31.

Inspired by an early life story of director-choreographer Graciela Daniele, the tango-infused musical centers on Anuncia as she reflects on her childhood in Juan Perón's Argentina and the women in her family who encouraged her artistic dreams. The musical made its world premiere in September 2021 at The Old Globe in San Diego, California. The book, music, and lyrics are all by LaChiusa. Tony honoree Daniele directed and co-choreographed the Off-Broadway bow, and she's said the production served as the end to her nearly 60-year career on the stage.

READ: Mary Testa, Eden Espinosa, and Andréa Burns Are Playing Graciela Daniele's 'Goddesses'

The cast is led by Mary Testa as Granmama, Andréa Burns as Tía, and Eden Espinosa as Mami. Kalyn West and Tony winner Priscilla Lopez are Younger and Older (respectively) Anuncia, the role inspired by Daniele. The company also features Enrique Acevedo as Granpapa/That Man/The Priest/Moustache Brother and Tally Sessions as The Deer/Moustache Brother. Casting was by Tara Rubin Casting's Xavier Rubiano.

Lawrence Manchester and LaChiusa are producing the album, which will feature Michael Starobin's orchestrations and Deborah Abramson's music direction. The Off-Broadway staging featured co-choreography by Alex Sanchez, scenic design by Mark Wendland, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer (recreated by David Lander), and sound design by Drew Levy.

The musical is the latest in a long collaboration between Daniele and LaChiusa. The pair previously collaborated on Los Otros, Bernarda Alba, Little Fish, Marie Christine, and Hello Again. Daniele has amassed 10 Tony nominations over her career, including for her work on The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Once On This Island, and Ragtime. She was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award in 2020.