Based on Kate Davis’ 2001 Sundance Award-winning documentary, SOUTHERN COMFORT tells the true story of a group of transgender friends living life on their own terms in the back hills of rural Georgia. Winner of the prestigious Jonathan Larson Award, this folk and bluegrass inspired musical is a celebration of redefining family and choosing love over every obstacle. Tony-winning lyricist/composer of Falsettos William Finn calls SOUTHERN COMFORT, “remarkable,” with a score that “mines the country’s heart, and unveils, along its way, surprising pathways to a new world.”
Celebrate the extraordinary courage it takes to live an ordinary life in this transformative new musical composed by Julianne Wick Davis, with book and lyrics by Dan Collins, conceived by Robert DuSold and Thomas Caruso. Thomas Caruso directs. SOUTHERN COMFORT is made possible with the generous support of THE ARCUS FOUNDATION, THE PALLETTE FUND, and the EMBREY FAMILY FOUNDATION. Book and Lyrics by Dan Collins Music by Julianne Wick Davis Choreography by Ryan Kasprzak Music Director David M. Lutken Directed by Thomas Caruso Based on the Film by Kate Davis Conceived for the stage by Robert DuSold and ThomasCaruso Featuring Donnie Cianciotto, Lizzie Hagstedt, Jeffrey Kuhn,Elizabeth Ward Land, David M. Lutken, Jeff McCarthy, Morgan Morse, Annette O'Toole, Aneesh Sheth, Robin Skye, and Joel Waggoner |
2016 Outer Critics Circle Nomination for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical
2016 Drama League Nomination for Annette O'Toole, Distinguished Performance Award
2016 Drama Desk Nomination for Annette O'Toole Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical
2016 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominations for Outstanding New Musical, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Annette O'Toole; and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Jeffrey Kuhn. (Announced May 1: Annette O'Toole wins for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical).
"A sweetheart of a musical! [...] A delightfully brash Aneesh Sheth! [...] This cast is entirely winning." NYT Critics' Pick! - The New York Times
"A noble effort [...]the emotions expressed are heart-tugging, well played and sincere," "Carly (Aneesh Sheth), [is] a free-spirited sexual firecracker." - BroadwayWorld.com
"The lively and cleverly staged "Walk the Walk" is a second act highlight, its focus alternating between Jackson being prepped for his surgery as a confident, sassy Aneeth Sheth leads the group in a movement routine..." - CurtainUp
"Cast after a search for trans performers, new company members Cianciotto and Aneesh Sheth (as Jackson's sexually charged post-transition girlfriend, Carly) lend a depth and further resonance to their characters." - TheatreMania
"Carly (the standout Aneesh Sheth) exudes certainty and sexiness as a transgender woman[...] As a real transgender person, Sheth lends a degree of authenticity to her performance that soars above her cisgender cast mates. (Which is not to say anyone in the cast is lacking in talent; every cast member is unbelievably talented.) When Carly shares “trade secrets” with Lola about how to more believably pass as a trans woman, you really get the sense that she is mothering Lola into womanhood." -HyperAllergic
More reviews on Playbill.com!
Public Theater Casts Two Transgender Actors in 'Southern Comfort' - New York Times
2016 Drama League Nomination for Annette O'Toole, Distinguished Performance Award
2016 Drama Desk Nomination for Annette O'Toole Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical
2016 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominations for Outstanding New Musical, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Annette O'Toole; and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Jeffrey Kuhn. (Announced May 1: Annette O'Toole wins for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical).
"A sweetheart of a musical! [...] A delightfully brash Aneesh Sheth! [...] This cast is entirely winning." NYT Critics' Pick! - The New York Times
"A noble effort [...]the emotions expressed are heart-tugging, well played and sincere," "Carly (Aneesh Sheth), [is] a free-spirited sexual firecracker." - BroadwayWorld.com
"The lively and cleverly staged "Walk the Walk" is a second act highlight, its focus alternating between Jackson being prepped for his surgery as a confident, sassy Aneeth Sheth leads the group in a movement routine..." - CurtainUp
"Cast after a search for trans performers, new company members Cianciotto and Aneesh Sheth (as Jackson's sexually charged post-transition girlfriend, Carly) lend a depth and further resonance to their characters." - TheatreMania
"Carly (the standout Aneesh Sheth) exudes certainty and sexiness as a transgender woman[...] As a real transgender person, Sheth lends a degree of authenticity to her performance that soars above her cisgender cast mates. (Which is not to say anyone in the cast is lacking in talent; every cast member is unbelievably talented.) When Carly shares “trade secrets” with Lola about how to more believably pass as a trans woman, you really get the sense that she is mothering Lola into womanhood." -HyperAllergic
More reviews on Playbill.com!
Public Theater Casts Two Transgender Actors in 'Southern Comfort' - New York Times
Public Theater, New York 2016
Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg
Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg