His domestic partner and beloved companion of 44 years is the Woodstock artist and founding member of the singing duo Twinn Connexion Gerald "Jerry" Hopkins.
Cessna began his professional career as the understudy for the British cast of Beyond the Fringe that included Alan Bennett.
Other plays that were produced include The Blue Moon, A Family Comedy, Trios, To Dress a Naked Window, Final Vows, and A Few of the Usual Nudes.
His musical, Werewulff, written with William David Brohn, was produced at the Hartke Theater in Washington, D.C., to sold out audiences.
Shortly before his death he completed Twinn Connexion, a screenplay based on the Grammy-nominated singing duo Twinn Connexion, which was composed of Cessna's life partner Jerry Hopkins and Jerry's identical twin brother.