Trans-Centered Musical Southern Comfort Heading to the Public Theater

Inspired by the 2001 documentary, the bluegrass tuner is coming to New York.

November 5, 2015

Jeff McCarthy and Annette O'Toole as Lola and Robert in the 2013 Barrington Stage Company production of Southern Comfort. — Jeff McCarthy and Annette O'Toole as Lola and Robert in the 2013 Barrington Stage Company production of *Southern Comfort*.
(© Scott Barrow)

Southern Comfort, Dan Collins and Julianne Wick Davis' musical about transgendered friends in rural Georgia, has been added to the Public Theater's 2015-16 season, beginning performance at the venue's Anspacher Theater on February 23. Opening night is set for March 7.

Winner of the Jonathan Larson Award, this folk- and bluegrass-flavored musical is inspired by Kate Davis' 2001 documentary, which follows the final year in the life of Robert Eads, a female-to-male transperson dying of ovarian cancer after being refused treatment by a dozen doctors.

Directed by Thomas Caruso and conceived for the stage by Caruso and Robert DuSold, Southern Comfort premiered at CAP21 in 2011 and later played Barrington Stage Company in 2013. Those productions starred Annette O'Toole (Smallville) as Robert and Drama Desk nominee Jeff McCarthy (Urinetown) as Lola, the transwoman with whom Robert falls in love.

Casting for the Public Theater production will be announced at a later date. The Public is interested in meeting with transgender actors and singers who wish to be considered for the production. Email southerncomfortcasting@publictheater.org with a picture and résumé, along with performance samples, if available.

Southern Comfort will feature scenic design by James J. Fenton, costume design by Patricia E. Doherty, lighting design by Ed McCarthy, sound design by Andrew Keister, and choreography by Ryan Kasprzak.

For tickets and more information, click here.

Musical