NewsHow to Play a Nixon and a Ford; Spend a Two-Show Day With Betsy Morgan at First Daughter SuiteMusical theatre favorite Betsy Morgan is currently doing double duty as Tricia Nixon and Susan Ford in the Public Theater's world premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's First Daughter Suite, a follow-up to the composer's 1993 musical First Lady Suite. She shares a two-show day at the Public Theater!
November 11, 2015
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How to Play a Nixon and a Ford; Spend a Two-Show Day With Betsy Morgan at First Daughter Suite
How to Play a Nixon and a Ford; Spend a Two-Show Day With Betsy Morgan at First Daughter Suite
Musical theatre favorite Betsy Morgan is currently doing double duty as Tricia Nixon and Susan Ford in the Public Theater's world premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's First Daughter Suite, a follow-up to the composer's 1993 musical First Lady Suite. She shares a two-show day at the Public Theater!
28 PHOTOS
Good morning from Brooklyn, America's first suburb! Saturdays are the best, because my fiancé Chris Fenwick and I both start our two-show day (he's the conductor over at Fun Home) with a trip down Prospect Park to the Love Truck for coffee.
Betsy Morgan
Coffee in hand, we peruse the farmer’s market for apples…but we usually end up with bagels. And bacon.
Betsy Morgan
The Anspacher, where we perform First Daughter Suite, is one of five theatres located inside the historic Astor Library, AKA The Public Theater. You can feel the history in every corner of this building.
Betsy Morgan
Gearing up for the matinee with the stellar First Daughter stage management team: Jared, Brian, and the incredible Theresa.
Betsy Morgan
Before. (That cute baby in the lower right hand corner is my nephew, Charlie.)
"After" shot! Toni Leslie James, our costume designer, is a genius. Our show is divided into 4 individual pieces: Act One: Nixon, Carter/Ford. Act Two: Reagan, and Bush. Here I am as Tricia Nixon.
Betsy Morgan
Gabe and Melissa on sound. Aces.
Betsy Morgan
Alison Fraser has discovered a new way to perform Side Show.
Betsy Morgan
Isabel Santiago transforming into the first female president. Isn’t she pretty?
Betsy Morgan
Mary Testa brought her dog, Clyde, to work today. He’s pretty cute, if a bit confused as to why Mommy’s hair is white. And now, “PLACES!!” See you at intermission!
Betsy Morgan
Mother and daughter (Betty and Susan Ford), after a quick and exciting trip to Iran with the Carters. The quick change between my two characters, Tricia and Susan, is amazing.
Betsy Morgan
Superstars Ashley and Jeni (wardrobe), and Joe (props).
Betsy Morgan
Both of my pieces in First Daughter Suite (Nixon and Carter) are in Act One. Act Two is reserved for relaxation, eating, and teaching Rachel Bay Jones to quilt.
Betsy Morgan
And FaceTiming with the King and I kids. They’re pretty awesome.
Betsy Morgan
One down, one to go!! Between shows in the green room. We are one big happy family here at The Public.
Betsy Morgan
Caissie Levy relaxing with a cup of tea. Note her ironic Republican mug, courtesy of our company managers, Rebecca and Heather.
Betsy Morgan
All the ladies between shows, resting up for round two.
Betsy Morgan
The band is back and ready to go!
Betsy Morgan
Say "Falafel!!"
Betsy Morgan
Our secret service detail. “Tess Flannigan, come in. Operation Mistress of the Senator is in the building. Over.” These are the people who make stuff appear and disappear onstage every night.
Betsy Morgan
Caissie made us a sign. She's nice.
Betsy Morgan
Catching up on Fallon. Rainbow, Pancake, and Slam Dunk? Really, Lin? You’re amazing.
Betsy Morgan
Sisters on stage and off. (Not really, but it feels like it.) We fight much less in person.
Betsy Morgan
Barbara Walsh and her luxurious Equity cot. (That copy of "Purity" is signed by Jonathan Franzen.)
Betsy Morgan
Beautiful Theresa McCarthy as the effervescent Robin.
Betsy Morgan
First Mothers (and a Daughter)
Betsy Morgan
First Daughters (and a mother)
Betsy Morgan
All finished for today. It’s an honor and a humbling privilege to work here every day, bring Michael John LaChiusa’s brilliance to life, and take the ongoing master class of being in the same theatre as these incredible people. Let’s do it again tomorrow…twice!
A historical fantasia in four parts, First Daughter Suite, according to press notes, "follows Patricia Nixon and daughters Tricia and Julie, Rosalynn and Amy Carter, Betty and Susan Ford, Patti Davis and mom Nancy Reagan, and Barbara Bush and daughter-in-law Laura as they strive to live meaningful lives in the public eye, while dealing with the complex private relationships all of us face with our parents and children."
The production also has scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Tyler Micoleau, sound design by Ken Travis and hair and wig design by Robert-Charles Vallance.
Tickets can be accessed by calling (212) 967-7555, by visiting PublicTheater.org, or in person at the Taub Box Office at The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street.
Next year, Carnegie Hall's house band will perform Bernstein’s “Kaddish” Symphony, unfinished works by Schubert, and the final concert of Conductor Bernard Labadie.
