First Lady Suite at Arc Stages

First Ladies take flight this winter at Arc Stages.

Pleasantville theatre company Arc Stages presents First Lady Suite by Michael John LaChuisa as their inaugural Next Stage production in the company’s new proscenium theatre. The Next Stage is the professional wing of the company which also includes a thriving Educational Stage and Community Stage.

First Lady Suite is directed by Stephanie Kovacs Cohen, with music direction by Marcus Baker. Starring  Nicole Benoit, Ashanti J'Aria, Samantha Joy Pearlman, Lisa Sabin, Allie Seibold, Hannah Shankman, and Danny Vaccaro.

First Lady Suite looks at the lives of four often-overlooked historical figures: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman, and Eleanor Roosevelt. A musical fantasy that explores their personal struggles and relationships, offering a unique, theatrical lens into the lives of these first ladies — Four women who helped shape the nation from just outside of the presidential suite. 

“This is such a thrilling show to work on!” says director Stephanie Kovacs Cohen. “With perspective from famous historical women like Amelia Earhart, Evelyn Lincoln, Marian Anderson, Lorena Hickock, and Mary Gallagher, it is a story about women who were always right behind the president and yearning for flight themselves.”

Performances are January 30 - February 8 at Arc Stages, located at 147 Wheeler Avenue in Pleasantville, NY.

Tickets are $44 for adults, $32 for students & seniors. To purchase tickets, please visit www.arcstages.org or call 914-747-6206.

First Lady Suite is produced under contract with Actors' Equity Association.

About Arc Stages
Arc Stages is a multifaceted arts organization in Pleasantville, New York, which is composed of three theatre companies under one roof, that strives to better serve the community and its artistic needs: The Educational Stage is an educational theatre company where students of all ages explore the world of theater through innovative classes, workshops and productions; The Community Stage is a community theatre company for actors, singers and technicians from all walks of life, that offers the best in musicals and dramas; The Next Stage is a professional theatre company that produces innovative, contemporary theatre as well as new works, cabaret, workshops and staged readings.

Authors

• Michael John LaChiusa