History
The Last Session was originally produced off-Broadway at the 47th Street Theatre in 1997. The cast consisted of Bob Stillman as "Gideon," an ex-gospel singer turned pop star who has scheduled a final recording session. He invites his old band to join him including professional back-up singer Tryshia (Grace Garland), failed rock singer turned Mary Kay Cosmetics salesperson, Vicki (Amy Coleman), studio engineer Jim (Dean Bradshaw) and, unexpectedly, a young Texas gospel singer, Buddy (Stephen Bienskie). Buddy has idolized Gideon his entire lifetime and has come to Los Angeles to meet him and to follow in his footsteps to cross over from gospel to pop. His world is shaken when, during the course of the session, he learns Gideon is both gay and has AIDS.
An original cast album was recorded with elaborate packaging and a vocal selections book was published by Cherry Lane Music. The show was nominated for Best Musical by the NY Drama League and the NY Outer Critics Circle.
A subsequent production in Los Angeles began at the Laguna Playhouse and then transferred to the Tiffany Theater on Sunset Blvd. It featured two cast members from New York, Bob Stillman & Amy Coleman. New cast members included Michelle Mais playing Tryshia, P.M. Howard and Joel Traywick (who went on to receive the Theatre LA Ovation Award for Best Actor).
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