On October 20, 2025, Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium was the stage for a groundbreaking event — The Drowsy Chaperone concert, kicking off the fourth annual Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival. This powerful one-night-only performance featured an all-transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit (TNB2S+) cast, putting diverse voices front and center.
The star-studded lineup included Laverne Cox as The Drowsy Chaperone, Jonathan Van Ness as Man in Chair, Tony Award winner Alex Newell as Janet Van De Graaf, and Dylan Mulvaney as Kitty. Other standout performers were Joslyn DeFreece (Underling), Peppermint (Mrs. Tottendale), Betty Who (Robert Martin), Max Mendoza Crumm (George), Jack Haven (Feldzieg), Chris Renfro (Aldolpho), Garnet Williams (Trix), and Gio Coppola and Futaba as The Gangsters. The ensemble featured Patrick Nathan Falk, Luz, Zachary A. Myers, Wren Rivera, Nora Schell, and Charlie Steiner.
Adding to the night’s excitement, Tony Award winner Beth Leavel, who originated the role of The Drowsy Chaperone on Broadway, made a surprise appearance.
The Drowsy Chaperone concert was directed by Tony Award nominee L Morgan Lee, with music supervision by Anessa Marie Scolpini. The show features music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, with a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar.
This event marked the official launch of the Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival, which runs through October 26. The festival is dedicated to promoting new work created by TNB2S+ artists, fostering creativity and community.
All proceeds from the concert benefited Breaking the Binary Theatre, Trans Lifeline, and Black Trans Liberation — supporting crucial resources within transgender and non-binary communities.
Breaking the Binary Theatre remains a vital platform for TNB2S+ artists, empowering them to take control of their stories and creative expression through performance and collaboration. This festival underscores the growing influence and visibility of trans and non-binary artists in the arts world.
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