After Nationwide Search, Transgender Actors Cast in Southern Comfort Musical

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming Public Theater production of Dan Collins and Julianne Wick Davis' musical Southern Comfort. Performances begin at the venue's Anspacher Theater on February 23. Opening night is set for March 7.

Annette O'Toole and Jeff McCarthy, who originated the roles of Robert Eads and Lola Cola in the 2011 CAP21 and 2013 Barrington Stage Company productions of Southern Comfort, will reprise their roles at the Public.

They will be joined by Lizzie Hagstedt (Storyteller Musician, Bass), Jeffrey Kuhn (Jackson), Elizabeth Ward Land (Storyteller Musician, Djembe), David M. Lutken (Storyteller Musician, Guitar), Morgan Morse (Musician), Robin Skye (Melanie), and Joel Waggoner (Storyteller Musician, Violin). Donnie Cianciotto and Aneesh Sheth complete the cast of after an open call to the transgender community and a nationwide search for submissions.

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 trans man dying of ovarian cancer after being refused treatment by a dozen doctors. Thomas Caruso serves as director, after conceiving the show for the stage with Robert DuSold.

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.