PERMANENT RESIDENCE: Live in Concert

Singer, composer, and actor Abby Ahmad presents a selection of songs from her debut musical, PERMANENT RESIDENCE. Conceived nearly 4 years ago in the throes of the pandemic, Ahmad was one of the many who sought refuge in the idyllic, mysterious, historic grounds of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery. The musical centers around Laura Keene, a highly successful 19th century actress, theatre manager, playwright, and composer whose life work was overshadowed by the infamy of her connection to the Lincoln assassination, being that she was starring in the production at Ford’s Theatre when it occurred and endured the aftermath that followed. Now, in her present day “after-life” in Green-Wood she embarks to write an original musical to redeem her place in the theatrical lexicon. Employing the help of other deceased artistic legends (Jean-Michel Basquiat, Leonard Bernstein, and more) to inform and navigate her creative journey, she uncovers the many other voices and triumphs of women buried in the cemetery that have also been lost to or undermined by history. PERMANENT RESIDENCE is archetypal exploration on themes of death, life, loss, legacy, and creating a home in the heart of the creative process.

Music and Lyrics: Abby Ahmad
Music Director: Mark Marshall

CAST: Abby Ahmad, Akie Bermiss, Aisha de Haas, Tsebiyah Mishael Derry, Hannah Fairchild, Sentell Harper, Adam Minkoff, Gabby Sherba, Duncan Smith, Elizabeth Ziman

BAND: Mark Marshall, Stacy Werdin, Brad Whiteley

MORE ABOUT ABBY AHMAD

ABBY AHMAD is a singer, composer, actor, and multi-disciplinary educator based in Brooklyn, NY.  She has recorded & toured internationally, both as a solo artist and with her band Fife & Drom. Her original music has been honored by the Independent Music Awards and was featured in the major motion picture, The Guardian.  As an actor, Abby has performed in NYC and regional theatre and as a voice actor for film & commercial. She received critical praise for her performance in the regional premieres of Heather Raffo’s one-woman play, 9 Parts of Desire. Abby is a 2025 Bechdel Project Community Space Grantee for her debut musical, PERMANENT RESIDENCE. Recent workshops/readings include:  The Cost of Believing (Sheen Center), The Gaza Monologues (Theatre of the Oppressed), East Carson Street (Barebones Productions), The Revolution’s Promise (New Perspectives Theatre Company), and the live concert performance of The Battle of Blythe Road (On the Quays/Prospect Musicals) As a working performer and voice/songwriting educator, Abby cherishes the opportunity to commune through creativity. www.abbyahmad.com