LaChiusa and director Ted Sperling take inspiration from the short stories of writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa for the new musical that delves into "stories of faith, loss and redemption" during two eras of life in New York City. At left, Tony Award winner Idina Menzel (Wicked), who heads the cast, and Billy Porter are seen above co-star Marc Kudisch. Below, LaChiusa and new Public Theater artistic director Oscar Eustis, "Rent" star Jesse L. Martin, cast member Aaron Lohr and Sperling celebrate the show at Mannahatta, located at 316 Bowery in New York City.
Photos by Aubrey Reuben