Photo Flash: First Look at Annemaria Rajala and Anna Ishida in THE FOURTH MESSENGER

100 Shades of Green presents the world premiere of The Fourth Messenger, a brand new musical by celebrated local playwright Tanya Shaffer and popular singer/songwriter Vienna Teng. What if the Buddha were a woman? What if she were alive today? How would the world view her life and teachings differently? Loosely inspired by the life of the historical Buddha, the captivating new musical imagines a modern-day "awakened one" named Mama Sid. BroadwayWorld has a first look below.

Directed by Broadway's Matt August, The Fourth Messenger reunites the award-winning creative team from Tanya Shaffer's last smash hit Baby Taj. The Fourth Messenger plays February 6-March 10, 2013 at The Ashby Stage (1901 Ashby Street, Berkeley, CA 94703). Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 pm; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm; and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets ($23-$35, previews on February 6-8 and February 13 performance are pay-what-you-can) are available at thefourthmessenger.com.

The Fourth Messenger reunites the award-winning design team from the world premiere production of Baby Taj in 2005, including scenic designer Joe Ragey, costume designer Fumiko Bielfeldt, and lighting designer Steve Mannshardt (who worked on Baby Taj in a production capacity). They are joined by music director Christopher Winslow and orchestrator Robin Reynolds. The all local cast for the world premiere musical includes Jackson Davis (Andy, et al), Rebecca Fink (Myra, et al), Dave Garrett (Mike, Bread, et al), Anna Ishida (Raina), Barnaby James (Yasha, et al), Simone Kertesz (Priya, Water, et al), Annemaria Rajala (Sid), Cathleen Riddley (Clara, Mrs. Calamity, et al), Will Springhorn (Sam, Sunny), Reggie White (Derekh, Delilah, et al), Alexis Wong (May, et al).

Photo Credit: David Allen

Annemaria Rajala and Anna Ishida

Annemaria Rajala

Annemaria Rajala

Annemaria Rajala and Anna Ishida

Annemaria Rajala and Anna Ishida

Anna Ishida and Annemaria Rajala