The Gardens of Anuncia

A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

The Gardens of Anuncia

Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy  /  5w, 2m

Michael John LaChiusa

Graciela Daniele’s coming of age in 1940s Buenos Aires, in the shadow of the Perón regime, is retold in this gorgeous, tango-infused new musical written by her longtime collaborator and friend, Michael John LaChiusa.

Image: 2023 Lincoln Center Theater Production (Julieta Cervantes)

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The Gardens of Anuncia

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Biography
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee: Two 2024 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Book of a Musical
    Nominee: 2024 Off Broadway Alliance Award, Best New Musical

Details

Summary
Before her amazing career on Broadway, Graciela Daniele was a young girl growing up in 1940s Buenos Aires in the shadow of the Perón regime. The Gardens of Anuncia is her coming-of-age story in the form of a gorgeous, tango-infused new musical written by her longtime collaborator and friend, Michael John LaChiusa. With wit and wisdom, the show follows Anuncia as she tends the garden of her country house and reflects on her life, looking back on her girlhood in Argentina and paying homage to the family of women whose love and sacrifices allowed her to become the legendary creative force she is today.
History
The Gardens of Anuncia premiered at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California on 10 September 2021. The musical made its off-Broadway premiere at Lincoln Center Theater on 19 October 2023. Directed by Graciela Daniele, the off-Broadway production featured Enrique Acevedo, Andrea Burns, Eden Espinosa, Priscilla Lopez, Tally Sessions, Mary Testa and Kalyn West.
Keywords
Performing Groups

OLDER ANUNCIA – Mid-70s to early 80s
YOUNGER ANUNCIA – Plays 8 years old to early teens
MAMI (Carmen) – Anuncia’s mother, late 30s
GRANMAMA (Magdalena) – Anuncia’s grandmother, mother of Carmen and Lucia, early 60s
TÍA (Lucia) – Anuncia’s aunt, sister of Carmen, early 30s
GRANPAPA (Rogelio) – Anuncia’s grandfather, 60s
THE DEER

THE DEER and GRANPAPA double as SOLDIERS and the MOUSTACHE BROTHERS 1 and 2.
THE DEER, who makes two appearances, is played by the same actor.
GRANPAPA doubles as THAT MAN and the PRIEST.

  • Time Period Present Day, 1950s, 1940s/WWII
  • Setting The USA (the present) and Buenos Aires, Argentina (1940s-50s)
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes, Period Costumes
  • Additional Features No Intermission
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Tender… [a] sweet reverie of a musical.” – The New York Times

“Touching… arguably LaChiusa’s finest musical.” – The Wrap

“A true pleasure… a chance to spend a little time in this artist’s often strange, mostly wondrous mindscape. The pleasure is ours.” – Theatrely

“A petite charmer… Michael John LaChiusa's charming little gem of musical is melodic, funny, warm and packed with star performances… LaChiusa's lush 15-song score, performed with pulsing percussion and brass by a backstage orchestra, is peppered with Latin bolero, tango and mambo rhythms, and his lyrics are shot through with a rich vein of humor and heart.” – San Diego Union-Tribune

“At the heart of The Gardens of Anuncia, Michael John LaChiusa’s sweet reverie of a musical, is a respect and recognition for the renowned Broadway choreographer Graciela Daniele, a longtime friend and collaborator… LaChiusa mercifully does not overstate contemporary parallels between the paranoia of Juan Perón’s dictatorship and our own uncertain times, rather emphasizing the way women have long relied on one another for protection.” – The New York Times

Videos

  • The Gardens of Anuncia – Lincoln Center Theater Montage youtube thumbnail

    The Gardens of Anuncia – Lincoln Center Theater Montage

  • The Gardens of Anuncia – Lincoln Center Theater Sneak Peek youtube thumbnail

    The Gardens of Anuncia – Lincoln Center Theater Sneak Peek

  • Michael John LaChiusa with a song from The Gardens of Anuncia youtube thumbnail

    Michael John LaChiusa with a song from The Gardens of Anuncia

  • The Gardens of Anuncia – Musical Highlights youtube thumbnail

    The Gardens of Anuncia – Musical Highlights

  • “Malagueña” from The Gardens of Anuncia at The Old Globe youtube thumbnail

    “Malagueña” from The Gardens of Anuncia at The Old Globe

  • “Waiting/Dreaming” from The Gardens of Anuncia at The Old Globe youtube thumbnail

    “Waiting/Dreaming” from The Gardens of Anuncia at The Old Globe

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Photos

  • The Gardens of Anuncia

    Image: 2023 Lincoln Center Theater Production (Julieta Cervantes)

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

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Authors

Michael John LaChiusa

Michael John LaChiusa

Michael John LaChiusa – composer, lyricist and librettist – established himself as a powerful presence on the American musical theatre scene after winning Off-Broadway’s 1993 Obie Award for his musicals First Lady Suite and Hello Again. Six years later, LaChiusa was represent ...

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