Casting is now complete for the one-night-only concert of the Tony-nominated musical The Drowsy Chaperone at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage. Launching Breaking the Binary Theatre’s fourth annual Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival, the concert is scheduled for October 20 at 8 PM.
Directed by A Strange Loop Tony nominee L Morgan Lee, the starry all trans and non-binary cast will be led by the previously reported 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, and pop sensation Betty Who as Robert Martin.
Newly announced for the production are 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.
The Drowsy Chaperone features music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. The upcoming concert will mark the title’s first major New York presentation since the original 2006 Broadway production. Music supervisor Anessa Marie Scolpini will conduct.
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 upcoming festival will take place October 20–26. Evan Bernardin Productions will serve 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 through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Tickets for The Drowsy Chaperone will go on sale August 21 at 11 AM ET by clicking here.
