ART/WNY Presents FIRST LADY SUITE, Opening Wednesday

American Repertory Theater of WNY will present the Buffalo debut of Michael John LaChiusa's acclaimed musical classic piece, FIRST LADY SUITE. Described by The Guide to Musical Theatre, FIRST LADY SUITE is a "four chamber pieces, ranging from riotously funny to hauntingly lyrical focusing on celebrated First Ladies and the people surrounding them." Opening on March 1st and running until March 16th, this limited engagement will be presented at ART/WNY's home base at Bittner Hall, 16 Linwood Avenue, Buffalo NY.

Broken into four musical vignettes, Over Texas centers upon aide, Mary Gallager (played by Mary Ryan) who's dream is abruptly visited by First Lady "Jackie" Kennedy (played by Katy Miner) as Air-Force One is flying into Dallas on November 22nd, 1963. Where's Mamie has Mamie Eisenhower (played by Katie McMahon) on a strange time-traveling trip where she meets famed African-American Opera singer Marian Anderson (played by Jackie Davis) and both visit future President Ike Eisenhower (played by John Calvin) as he is spending time with his chauffeur and current mistress, the next vignette Olio finds a signing Margaret Truman (Mary Ryan) attempting to overcome the hard candy-sucking First Lady Bess (John Calvin), and the final compelling piece, Eleanor Sleeps Here, tenderly delves into the relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt (portrayed by Leanne Troutman) and Journalist Lorena "Hick" Hickok (played by Shayna Raichilson-Zadok) as they are being flown by famed aviator, Amelia Earhart (played by Katy Miner) from Baltimore to Washington DC.

First produced in November 11 1993 by the New York Shakespeare Festival, the production racked up 32 performances before it closed in December. The March Production will mark this piece has been produced by a regional theater company.

"Last season we had tremendous success with producing a unrecognized piece of a American musical that ART/WNY wanted to mount another less-commerically known work." Executive/Artistic Director Matthew LaChiusa on explaining the reason why the theater chose to do an unfamiliar piece. "His (Michael John) works are amazing and fit into what ART/WNY's creative mission represents. We are proud to be the first Buffalo company presenting this compelling musical."

In addition to this regional debut, American Repertory Theater of WNY is thrilled to be conducting a one-evening talk-. back event with composer, Michael John LaChusa, on March 15th follow the evening performance of FIRST LADY SUITE.

"This is a great moment for ART/WNY." Said FIRST LADY SUITE director, Matthew LaChiusa. "The New York City theater world will be watching Buffalo and, with a strong cast and musical direction, American Repertory Theater of WNY will do its best to deliver."

All showtimes are at 7:30 pm. FIRST LADY SUITE will be performed at ART/WNY's home at Bittner Hall, located on 16 Linwood Avenue, Buffalo NY 14214. Tickets for performances, excluding the March 15th talk-back, are $20 General Admission, $15 Students and Military Veterans. Tickets for the March 15th production including the talk-back are $30 General Admission, $20 Students and Military Veterans.

Please visit www.artofwny.org for more details and ticket ordering information. Call the ART/WNY box office at 716-634-1102, 9 am-4:30 pm, to make reservations.

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