Welcome

To
54 Below

Composer, music director, and orchestrator Anessa Marie presents an evening of music from A First Glimpse of Light, a semi-autobiographical new musical telling the story of a 32 year old trans actress as she prepares for gender confirmation surgery in New York City. Featuring a cast of voices of varying identities that is majority transgender and gender nonconforming, performing a jazz-influenced score with sweeping piano, a 5-piece band, and lush harmony, this evening promises to be a celebration of relationships with others and ourselves. Directed by Dev Bondarin, with music direction by James Rushin.

Featuring:

Anessa Marie as Ella
Bianca Leigh as Bianca
Kathel Griffin as Socks
Jennifer Fouché (Chicago, Chicken and Biscuits) as Mel
Zachary A. Myers (A Strange Loop) as Jazz
Hennessy Winkler (Oklahoma! national tour) as Jasten
Ellis Gage, vocals
Andrea Prestinario, vocals
Ariana Valdes, vocals

Joined by:

Noah Hadland (MJ The Musical) on percussion
Danielle Giulini (Harmony) on violin
Will Shishmanian on guitar/bass
Elisa Winter on cello

Please note that all artists and acts are subject to change at any time.