The New York premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's The Gardens of Anuncia officially opened Off-Broadway November 20 after beginning previews October 19. Lincoln Center Theater presents the new musical at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. Read the reviews here, and check out the gallery of opening-night photos below.
The Gardens of Anuncia will continue through December 31. Tony honoree Graciela Daniele is directing and choreographing, and she's said the production will serve as the end to her nearly 60-year career on the stage.
Inspired by an early life story of Daniele's, 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.
Playing those women are 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 cast also features Enrique Acevedo as Granpapa/That Man/The Priest/Moustache Brother and Tally Sessions as The Deer/Moustache Brother. Understudies Debra Cardona, Vanessa Sierra, Francisca Muñoz, and Scott Ahearn round out the company. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting's Xavier Rubiano.
READ: Mary Testa, Eden Espinosa, and Andréa Burns Are Playing Graciela Daniele's 'Goddesses'
The production features orchestrations by Michael Starobin, music direction by Deborah Abramson, 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.
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Eden Espinosa and Kayln West
Bobby Steggert, Tally Sessions, and guest
Graciela Daniele and Eden Espinosa
Mary Testa and Michael John LaChiusa
Michael John LaChiusa and Graciela Daniele
Donna Murphy and Priscilla Lopez
Graciela Daniele, Lynn Ahrens, and Stephen Flaherty
Jules Fisher and Graciela Daniele
Deborah Abramson and Graciela Daniele
Ira Weitzman, Graciela Daniele, and Alex Sanchez
Cast and creative team
Cast of The Gardens of Anuncia
Mary Testa, Eden Espinosa, Priscilla Lopez, Kayln West, and Andrea Burns
Mary Testa, Eden Espinosa, Kayln West, and Andrea Burns
Deborah Abramson and Sheela Ramesh
Tally Sessions and Enrique Acevedo
Priscilla Lopez
Francisca Munoz, Debra Cardona, Amanda Arjona, and Scott Ahearn
Ira Weitzman and Michael John LaChiusa
Michael John LaChiusa
Beowulf Boritt and Mimi Bilinksi
Gina Naomi Baez
Bill Rauch and Christopher Liam Moore
Rebecca Ashley and JT Rogers
Vanessa Sierra
James McMullan
