First Ladies take flight this winter at Arc Stages.
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.
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 is produced under contract with Actors’ Equity Association.
Performances are January 30 – February 8
147 Wheeler Avenue, Pleasantville, NY, 10570
Tickets are $44 for adults, $32 for students & seniors.
To purchase tickets, click below
Hannah Shankman
Allie Seibold, Nicole Benoit
Ashanti J’Aria
Lisa Sabin
Hannah Shankman, Nicole Benoit, Samantha Joy Pearlman
Photos by Chad Kraus Photography, @chadkrausphoto
Hannah Shankman (Lorena Hickok) was most recently seen starring as Fanny Brice in the National Tour of Funny Girl. Broadway: Wicked, Side Show, Les Miserables, Hair. West End: Hair, Homemade Fusion. National Tours: The Band’s Visit, Rent, Les Miserables. Regional: La Jolla Playhouse, The Kennedy Center, Syracuse Stage, Berkshire Theatre Group, Williamstown Theatre Festival. Film/TV: The Academy Awards (Les Miserables live performance), The Last Five Years.
Nicole Benoit (Eleanor Roosevelt) is honored to bring to life the resilient and brave Ms. Eleanor Roosevelt and Ms. Evelyn Lincoln in her Arc Stages debut. Broadway & International: Chicago (13 years, 4 countries, 7 roles including Roxie), My Fair Lady. Other favorite credits: The Producers (Ulla), Cabaret (Sally), Legally Blonde (Brooke Wyndham), Carnegie Hall, Paper Mill Playhouse. Offstage, Nicole is a proud triple-threat vocal and dance educator based in NYC.
Samantha Joy Pearlman (Jackie Kennedy) was last seen at Arc Stages in Marry Me a Little and is thrilled to be back! She recently made her Off-Broadway debut originating the role of Deb in The Art Tour. She originated the roles of Mary Jane Gumm in Chasing Rainbows (Paper Mill) and Louise in Devotedly, Sincerely Yours (Forestburgh/Annenberg). Her band Joy and the Wildfire recently toured the Northeast and was the pre-show party for Heart at Bethel Woods. Proud owner of SJP Voice Studio. BA: Wesleyan University.
Allie Seibold (Mary Gallagher) is thrilled to be back at Arc Stages after playing Kesa/Wife/Actress in See What I Wanna See. In NYC, she originated the role of Rachel in Anne Frank in Mt. Vernon, Ohio at JACK NYC and Alice in The Brass Teapot at NAMT. She is also an original cast member of Twelfth Night Is Not Cancelled, which premiered at Weston Theater Co this past fall. She has toured nationally and internationally with Disney on Classic and The Lightning Thief.
Ashanti J’Aria (Marian Anderson) has lived many lives career wise. From originating the role of Mrs Green in the Broadway Tour of The Prom to support vocals for Grammy Award winner Gloria Gaynor and Ronnie Spector. The NY native wore multiple hats as title character/associate producer for feature film Maya & her Lover. She even wrote/sang/produced “You Get to Choose” for the soundtrack. TV credits: Law & Order and Only Murders in the Building. Select theatre credits for this Fordham University Lincoln Center Alum include Saturday Night Fever (Broadway) and Becky in Waitress (international).
Lisa Sabin (Mamie Eisenhower) is making her Arc Stages debut! Having been cast as moms, drunks, and old ladies since she was a child, Lisa is grateful to have finally grown into her type. Recent credits: Phyllis in Follies at the Philipstown Depot Theatre; Marmee in Little Women at the Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. Lisa was nominated for a 2024 Grammy Award for her vocals on the album Sondheim Unplugged: The NYC Sessions (Yellow Sound label), and was recently featured in a Super Bowl commercial as a singing office worker.
Danny Vaccaro (Ike Eisenhower) is thrilled to play with the wonderful artists of Arc Stages! New York and Tour credits include Girl From the North Country, La Cage Aux Folles, The Wizard of Oz, Nunsense A-Men, Streakin’! Favorite Regional – Lost in Yonkers, Time Stands Still, Slow Food, The Foreigner, Next to Normal, The Producers. TV – Feud, Younger, L&O SVU, and the upcoming American Love Story. Proud Northwestern Alum.