Chasing Grace

 Chasing Grace
The Mezzanine Theatre
She NYC Arts
March 17, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Chasing Grace

What do you want to leave behind?  How do you want to be remembered?  These are the questions Elizabeth Addison asks in her new musical, Chasing Grace, as her characters face the challenge of their addiction.  These characters take a unique and winding journey to discover the answers to these inquiries.  Ms. Addison’s writing is poignant, funny, emotionally engaging, and sometimes over the top.  Her music spans a wide range of styles to tell this incomparable story.  The cast delivers bold and daring performances, making the audience laugh, while tenderly touching their hearts. 

Photo courtesy of Chasing Grace

Grace (played by Harper Miles) enters a treatment center to gain control over her addiction.  She has a difficult time adjusting.  The other women share traumatic stories, have special needs, and most are missing their children.  When Grace’s counselor (played by Chantelle Guido) abruptly leaves the center, Grace hits bottom.  Then, Sheri (played by Kiara Wade), a sister addict, commits suicide.  

Photo courtesy of Chasing Grace

The second act takes a sharp turn when The Writer of the first act (played by Gabrielle Beckford) enters and puts the experiences of the characters she wrote about into a different perspective.  Her goal is to get her musical (the story of the first act) produced on Broadway.  She meets her collaborators (played by Shamiea Thompson and Chantelle Guido).  They commercialize the story and take away the dignity of the women in the treatment center.  As The Writer loses herself in the process of revising her work, her partner, Janessa (played by Kiara Wade) breaks up with her, leaving her alone to face herself. 

Gabrielle Beckford and Haper Miles are perfectly cast as The Writer and Grace, portraying versions of the same character at different times in their lives.  Their energies complement one another beautifully.  The moment when they face one another at the climax of the story is genuine and riveting, bringing the action to a satisfying conclusion.

Photo courtesy of Chasing Grace

Most of the women portray more than one character.  Kiara Wade plays Sheri in Act I and Janessa in Act II.  Sheri is both gusty and defeated.  Janessa is all heart.  Ms. Wade grabs the audience’s attention in these roles and does not let go.  

Shamiea Thompson plays Cece in Act I and The Tony Award Winning Black Writer/Director of Stage & Screen (one of the collaborators) in Act II.  Both characters are blatantly controlling.  Cece is manipulative, while the collaborator is egotistical and flamboyant.  Ms. Thompson makes these distinct characters her own. 

Photo courtesy of Chasing Grace

Tracey Conyer Lee plays Tessa, a woman at the treatment center with special needs, who is abandoned by her son and family.  Ms. Lee delivers an outstanding performance in this role.  Her physicality and vocal characterization are skillfully developed.  The heart of this character is fully exposed, making her vulnerable and empathetic. 

There are also excellent performances by LaDonna Burns, Theo Michaela, Marlaina Powell, and Chantelle Guido. 

Chasing Grace is playing at the Mezzanine Theatre at She NYC Arts (502 W. 53 St.) through March 29.  It is a brave and truthful telling of the pursuit of serenity, courage, and wisdom.  The production is skillfully directed by Elizabeth Addision.  The score is excellent.  The cast is superb. 

Domenick Danza