The April 1-17 staging at the Connelly Theatre in the East Village marks the New York premiere of new material added years after the project's 1993 debut at The Public Theater.
The cast includes Mary Testa as Lorena Hickock, Julia Murney as Amelia Earhart, Mary Beth Peil as Eleanor Roosevelt, Donna Lynne Champlin as Mary Gallagher, Robyn Hussa as Jackie Kennedy, Diane Sutherland as Evelyn Lincoln, Cheryl Stern as Mamie Eisenhower, Sherry D. Boone as Marian Anderson, James Hindman as Dwight D. Eisenhowser and Ruth Gottschall as Kay Summersby, Margaret Truman and Lady Bird Johnson.
Jack Cummings III directs the staging, with music direction by Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Jana Zielonka (orchestration is for two pianos and a cello).
Designers are John Story (set). R. Lee Kennedy (lighting) Kathryn Rohe (costume), Seth Guterman (sound).
First Lady Suite includes:
Transport Group is known for it staging of Our Town with older actors playing George and Emily, and its collection of William Inge one-acts, Requiem for William, which included new songs added between acts.
First Lady Suite plays the Connelly, 220 E. 4th St. (between Avenues A and B) April 1-3, 7-10, 13-17 at 8 PM, April 4 & 11 at 3 PM, and April 10 & 17 at 2 PM.
For reservations, visit www.smarttix.com or call (212) 868 4444. For more information, visit Transport Group's website at www.transport-group.org.
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Transport Group presents An Evening With Michael John LaChiusa 7 PM Feb. 22 as a benefit for the troupe.
Transport Group's artistic director Jack Cummings III will interview five-time Tony nominee Michael John LaChiusa, exploring his major works. Special guests include Tony winner Michele Pawk, Tony nominees Carolee Carmello, Marc Kudisch, Mary Testa, and Broadway stars Alice Playten, Maureen Moore and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
These special guests are all original cast members of La Chiusa's works and will be performing the songs composed for them in The Wild Party, Hello Again, Marie Christine, First Lady Suite and Little Fish.
An Evening with Michael John LaChiusa will be held at The Lark Theatre (939 Eighth Ave.) 7 PM Feb. 22. Admission is $25 in advance ($35 at the door) and includes a wine and cheese reception. For reservations, (212) 560-4372.