Ari Afsar, Asmeret Ghebremichael & More to Star in JEANETTE: THE MUSICAL at 54 Below

54 BELOW will present Jeannette: The Musical on May 17, 2023 at 9:30pm. Jeannette tells the story of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress in 1917 (years before the 19th Amendment). Jeannette explores the very meaning of heroism, feminism, and activism with three women with three different intersectional perspectives and identities playing the title role.

What does it mean for a Black woman, a White woman, and a queer Asian woman to tell Jeannette's story? How do we engage her queerness, her defiance, and, ultimately, her admission that the 19 th Amendment prioritizes the lives of white women, rather than all women? Is her story even worth telling? Do we need heroes from the past or do we need to be the heroes we so long for, or both? With rich contemporary politics and comedy, luscious and invigorating music, Jeannette: The Musical asks us to understand the past and challenge the present in order for us to move forward.

The writing team of Jeannette: The Musical includes America's most produced playwright Lauren Gunderson, Ari Afsar (songwriter on Sony's Lyle, Lyle Crocodile), and playwright and professor Jordan Ealey. This concert is directed by Erin Ortman, music directed by Sheela Ramesh (SIX, Moulin Rouge!, Almost Famous), and produced by Cindy Tsai.

The concert will star Ari Afsar (Hamilton, Netflix's Wedding Season, Bhangin' It), Asmeret Ghebremichael (The Book of Mormon, Elf, Legally Blonde), Tony Award® winner Adam Hyndman (Hadestown, Once on this Island, Disney's Aladdin), Andrea Prestinario (NYTW, A.C.T. San Francisco, York Theatre), Tony Award® nominee Myra Lucretia Taylor (Tina, Nine, Macbeth), and Cindy Tsai (The Chinese Lady, Jeannette, NYCLU's Sing Out For Freedom). The show's band will be led by music director and conductor Sheela Ramesh on piano, Michiko Egger on acoustic and electric guitar, Matt Cusack on upright and electric bass, and Brandon Brooks on drums.

Jeannette: The Musical plays 54 Below (254 West 54 th Street) on May 17 at 9:30pm. There is a $34.50-$73.00 cover charge and $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00pm are only available by calling (646) 476-3551.

MORE ABOUT 54 BELOW 54

Below was founded as a place for the Broadway community to celebrate Broadway performers, both established and new, who sing not only the music of Broadway and the Great American Songbook, but also new material intended for Broadway and off-Broadway stages. The club features fine dining and superb scenic, lighting, and sound designs entirely imagined by Broadway designers. For performers, writers, musicians, and more, 54 Below gives opportunities to advance their craft, expand their repertoires, and develop their voices in a way that is more personal, making them stronger as artists. It gives Broadway fans an opportunity to see their favorite artists in a different way, deepening their relationship and understanding of their talent.

A recipient of the 2022 TONY AWARDS ® Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. It is also a place for innovation in musical songwriting and performance. Collaborations born at 54 Below give rise to and help develop new theatrical projects and new musicals. In addition, its popular streaming video activities and audio recordings support these activities, helping to build a new Broadway audience worldwide, both in age and geography.

54 Below is one of the most in-demand performance venues in the city, presenting over 700 shows each year. Unique in its mission, it has become an indispensable member of the Broadway ecosystem, providing a place for seasoned and emerging artists to hone their craft, try out new work, grow their fanbases, and gather as a community. The management team includes Proprietors and nine-time Tony Award ® winning Broadway producers Steve Baruch, Richard Frankel, and Tom Viertel, Creative and Programming Director Jennifer Ashley Tepper, and restaurant General Manager Mandisa Boxill.

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