A heartwarming musical with a lush folk/bluegrass score based on the award-winning 2001 Sundance Film Festival documentary of the same title.
Book & Lyrics by Dan Collins, Music by Julianne Wick Davis
(Writer and composer of TREVOR: THE MUSICAL)
Based on the Film by Kate Davis
CHICAGO PREMIERE
Directed by JD Caudill. Music Direction by Robert Ollis. Choreography by Allison Petrillo
In SOUTHERN COMFORT, Robert, a transgender man living in rural Georgia among his chosen family of mostly transgender friends, has one final wish after receiving life-altering news. He wishes to make it to the annual Southern Comfort Transgender Conference he has attended with his friends for years, so he can dance at the ball with his newly-discovered love, Lola. While Robert attempts to live his life as fully as possible surrounded by those he loves, his friends struggle to process what will inevitably come.
SOUTHERN COMFORT has book and lyrics by Dan Collins and music by Julianne Wick Davis, the writing team responsible for TREVOR: THE MUSICAL, which was warmly received in its world premiere production at Writers Theatre in summer 2017. In reviewing SOUTHERN COMFORT's premiere at The Public Theater in New York City in February of 2016, THE NEW YORK TIMES praised it as "a sweetheart of a musical, . . . (with) a spirited, tuneful country score and colorful characters that draw us close to the emotional ups and downs of Robert's family."
All five transgender members of the "family" of friends will be played by trans actors: North Rory Homeward (Robert), Kyra Leigh (Lola), Ricki Pettinato (Carly), Benji Flores (Sam), and Lizzy Sulkowski (Jackson). Sinclair Willman will play the cisgender family member Melanie. Playing supporting roles as the "Storytellers" and providing onstage accompaniment with guitars, violin, cello, banjo, mandolin and percussion are actor/musicians Mario Aivazian, Kimberly Lawson, Justin Harner, Candice Kight and Taylor Dalton, Kaleb Tank will be assistant director and Paul Cook production manager. . The production design team includes Jeremy Hollis (scenic design), Sanja Manakoski (costume design), Shelbi Arndt (lighting designer), Isaac Mandel (sound designer), and Kat Moraros (properties design).
Tickets are available now at www.pridefilmsandplays.com or by phone at 866-811-4111 or 773-857-0222.
LISTING INFORMATION
SOUTHERN COMFORT
Book & Lyrics by Dan Collins, Music by Julianne Wick Davis
Based on the Film by Kate Davis
CHICAGO PREMIERE
Directed by JD Caudill
Music Direction by Robert Ollis
February 28 - March 31, 2019
Previews: February 28, March 1, 2 at 7:30pm and March 3 at 3:30pm. All preview seats $15
Regular Run: March 7 - 31 with Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30m and Sundays at 3:30pm. Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30 pm
Pride Arts Center - The Broadway, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago
Premium seats $40, general admission seats $30, student/senior/military $25 (not valid Saturdays)