L Morgan Lee Directs Laverne Cox, Alex Newell, Peppermint, More in The Drowsy Chaperone at Carnegie Hall October 20
The concert kicks off the fourth annual Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival.
L Morgan Lee, Laverne Cox, Alex Newell, and Peppermint
Breaking the Binary Theatre’s fourth annual Breaking the Binary
Theatre Festival kicks off October 20 at 8 PM with a one-night-only
concert of the Tony-nominated musical The Drowsy Chaperone at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.
Directed by A Strange Loop Tony nominee L Morgan Lee, the starry all-trans and non-binary cast is led by Emmy winner Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black) as The Drowsy Chaperone, actress and trans activist Joslyn Defreece as Underling, history-making Shucked Tony winner Alex Newell as Janet Van De Graaf, RuPaul’s Drag Race star Peppermint
as Mrs. Tottendale, Emmy winner Jonathan Van Ness as Man in Chair, pop sensation Betty Who as Robert Martin, Max Mendoza Crumm (Disaster!, Grease) as George, Jack Haven (I Saw the TV Glow, Atypical) as Feldzieg, Dylan Mulvaney (Days of Girlhood, We Are Not Kids Anymore, F*GHAG) as Kitty, Chris Renfro (Oh, Mary!; Queer as Folk) as Adolpho, Garnet Williams (Cats: “The Jellicle Ball,” Nina Simone: Four Women) as Trix, and Gio Coppola and Futaba Shioda (A Transparent Musical, Therapist Crush) as
the Gangsters, with Patrick Nathan Falk, Luz, Zachary A. Myers, Wren
Rivera, Nora Schell, and Charlie Steiner rounding out the ensemble.
READ: Max Mendoza Crumm Changed Their Name to Honor Their Mexican Grandfather
The Drowsy Chaperone features music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar.
The concert marks the title’s first major New York presentation since
the original 2006 Broadway production. Music supervisor Anessa Marie Scolpini conducts.
The Drowsy Chaperone played 32 previews and 674
performances at the Marquis Theatre, ending its run December 30, 2007.
The musical was nominated for 13 2006 Tony Awards, including Best
Musical. It won five Tonys: Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score,
Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Best Costume Design of a Musical, and
Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Beth Leavel.
“When
Breaking the Binary launched in July of 2022, we had one mission: to
employ and amplify the work of TNB2S+ artists. That work has continued
in bountiful ways throughout these past three years, but never in my
wildest dreams did I think we’d make it to Carnegie Hall, especially on
this timeline,” said Breaking the Binary Founder George Strus in an earlier statement. “The Drowsy Chaperone follows a fan of the
theatre who uses their favorite cast recording to pick them up when
they are feeling blue; needless to say, that concept of art
(particularly theatre) as a healing tool has been on my mind as this
current administration’s assault on transgender rights continues. In the
midst of these attacks, our community continues to ‘stumble along’ and
channel that frustration and rage into art, community support, and
mutual aid. It is the greatest honor of my career to continue my
creative partnership with L Morgan Lee (who has been a BTB artist since
the very beginning) and work with this dazzling, star-studded cast to
bring this beloved musical to life for one night only. Don your ‘fancy
dress’ and join us on Monday, October 20 at Carnegie Hall.”
Breaking
the Binary Theatre is a new work development and community building hub
wherein transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+*) artists come
together to reclaim their artistic license and liberty through a number
of initiatives and programs, including the annual all-TNB2S+ Breaking
the Binary Theatre Festival each October.
The festival takes place
October 20–26. Evan Bernardin Productions serves as general
manager. All net profits from the concert will benefit Breaking the
Binary Theatre, Trans Lifeline, and Black Trans Liberation.
The Drowsy Chaperone is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
You can find ticket information by clicking here.