As part of its 20-night benefit series, the Trans Entertainment Guild will host staged concert readings of the musical The Civility of Albert Cashier beginning May 5 at 7 PM.
The event will be among the first showcases with a cast and creative team completely comprised of transgender and gender expansive artists in New York theatre history.
Created as part of a residency with the Players Theatre, each night will feature roundtables, talkbacks, support sessions, and other community events following the reading. Directing the reading and leading the event will be Mika Kauffman, who recently completed a residency at University of Minnesota Duluth for their musical MAXA.
The Civility of Albert Cashier tells the story of Albert D. J. Cashier, a Union soldier during the American Civil War who was assigned female at birth and claimed his gender prior to enlisting. The folk/country musical features music by trans singer/songwriter Coyote Joe Stevens, who has adapted several songs with GLAAD nominee Jay Paul Deratany and Emmy nominee Keaton Wooden.
Deratany conceived and wrote the book for the show, which features music by Stevens and Wooden as well as lyrics by Steven, Wooden, and Deratany.
Proceeds from the event will go to trans performing artists and partner advocacy organizations. Trans Entertainment Guild is a recently founded arts advocacy group dedicated to improving work conditions for trans and gender expansive professionals in entertainment.
