“A Love That’s True”

Listen to the song from the new musical The History of Light, performed by Desi Oakley and Bonnie Milligan

(To hear the song, click the arrow above.)

The History of Light is a new musical by Michael W. Small that explores the thrills and perils of electricity in Gilded Age New York City, with pop and hip-hop updates of Gilbert and Sullivan songs.

Plot summary for “A Love That’s True”: In 1886, newlywed Alice Winslet (Oakley) and her friend Emma (Milligan) are planning a charity event to raise money for working women. In this song, Alice wonders if she should pull back from her social justice work to raise a family, as her husband has requested.

Adapted from: Gilbert and Sullivan’s "Love Is a Plaintive Song," Patience, 1881 (Listen to the original G&S song on Youtube.)

Desi Oakley is a stage, screen and voice artist in New York City, best known for originating the role of Jenna in the first National Tour of Waitress, and also starring in the role on the West End. She was most recently seen starring on Broadway with her fresh take as Roxie Hart in Chicago. Her other Broadway shows include: Wicked, Annie, Les Miserables. Her TV credits include: “Elsbeth,” “Gotham,” “The Gilded Age,” “Only Murders In The Building.” Desi has voiced feature films including the Wicked movie, Dear Evan Hansen, Tick, Tick, Boom! and Spirited. Her original music can be found on all streaming platforms. Desi coaches & mentors young artists all over the US and works as an activist promoting mental health support. Social @desioakley, www.desioakley.com

Bonnie Milligan won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for her role as Debra in Kimberly Akimbo on Broadway. She also received the Actors' Equity Foundation Clarence Derwent Award for her performance. After making her Broadway debut originating the role of Pamela in Head Over Heels, Bonnie won a Theatre World Award, Lucille Lortel Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for her performances. Bonnie's theatre credits include: Titanic (New York City Center Encores!), Restoration Comedy (Flea Theater), Kinky Boots (National Tour), and Other World (Delaware Theatre Company.) On TV, Bonnie appeared on “And Just Like That Season 2,” and in “Happy!,” “New Amsterdam,” “Chicago Fire,” “Escape at Dannemora,” and a recurring role as Katherine Winterbottom on “Search Party. “