The powerhouse cast of the new Off-Broadway musical The Gardens of Anuncia met the press September 28. See Priscilla Lopez, Andréa Burns, Eden Espinosa, Mary Testa, and Kalyn West perform two songs from the show: "Opening" and "Malagueña."
The Gardens of Anuncia is making its New York premiere at Lincoln Center Theater, at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. The show features a book, music, and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, and will be directed and co-choreographed by Tony recipient Graciela Daniele. Performances begin October 19 ahead of a November 20 opening.
Inspired by an early life story of Daniele's, the tango-infused musical centers on Anuncia (the musical's stand-in for Daniele), as she reflects on her childhood in Juan Perón's Argentina and the women in her family who encouraged her artistic dreams.
Tony winner Lopez stars as Anuncia. Espinosa plays Anuncia's mother, Testa plays her grandmother, and Burns plays her aunt. See the cast in the photos below.
Andre Bishop
Graciela Daniele
Graciela Daniele and company of The Gardens of Anuncia
Graciela Daniele
Graciela Daniele
Michael John LaChiusa and Graciela Daniele
Michael John LaChiusa
Michael John LaChiusa
Deborah Abramson
Kalyn West and Priscilla Lopez
Andréa Burns, Mary Testa, Kalyn West, and Eden Espinosa
Kalyn West
Eden Espinosa, Mary Testa, Andréa Burns, and Kalyn West
Eden Espinosa, Mary Testa, Kalyn West, Andréa Burns, and Priscilla Lopez
Priscilla Lopez
Andréa Burns
Mary Testa
Kalyn West and Andréa Burns
Eden Espinosa, Priscilla Lopez, Kalyn West, and Andréa Burns
Andréa Burns
Mary Testa, Kalyn West, Eden Espinosa, and Andréa Burns
Andréa Burns, Mary Testa, and Eden Espinosa
Priscilla Lopez, Eden Espinosa, Kalyn West, Mary Testa, and Andréa Burns
Eden Espinosa, Kalyn West, Mary Testa, and Andréa Burns
Eden Espinosa
Eden Espinosa
Eden Espinosa and Enrique Acevedo
Enrique Acevedo and Eden Espinosa
Enrique Acevedo and Eden Espinosa
Eden Espinosa
Eden Espinosa
Eden Espinosa
Company of The Gardens of Anuncia
Eden Espinosa, Priscilla Lopez, Tally Sessions, Andréa Burns, Enrique Acevedo, Mary Testa, and Kalyn West
Priscilla Lopez, Graciella Daniele, and Kalyn West
Eden Espinosa, Andréa Burns, Priscilla Lopez, and Mary Testa
Tally Sessions and Enrique Acevedo
Michael John LaChiusa and Graciela Daniele
The production will feature co-choreography by Alex Sanchez, orchestrations by Michael Starobin, music direction by Deborah Abramson, and casting by Xavier Rubiano of Tara Rubin Casting. The creative team also includes scenic designer Mark Wendland, costume designer Toni-Leslie James, lighting designers Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, and sound designer Drew Levy. Thomas J. Gates will serve as stage manager.
The Gardens of Anuncia is the fifth collaboration between Daniele and LaChiusa at Lincoln Center Theater. Their previous works together include Hello Again, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Marie Christine, and Bernarda Alba. The musical made its world premiere at in September 2021 The Old Globe in San Diego, California.
Daniele received a Special Award For Lifetime Achievement Tony in 2020. LaChiusa is a five-time Tony nominee for his musicals Marie Christine and The Wild Party, as well as his work on Daniele's Chronicle of a Death Foretold.
