Nov 14 - 24, 2024 | Presented at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts
SEX VARIANTS OF 1941
About The Show
In their latest venture, The Civilians mine an extraordinary archive to reveal the intimate lives of Depression-era queers. Co-conceived by writer/director Steve Cosson, James La Bella, and multimedia artist Jessica Mitrani, Sex Variants of 1941 is a kaleidoscopic fantasia adapted from a medical study of queer sexuality. Drawing on the study’s explicit interviews, pseudoscientific analysis, “medical” diagrams, and glossary of
era-specific slang, the company uses scenes, songs, striking visuals to celebrate an undersung community—and subvert the pathologizing gaze of the medical establishment. Featuring original songs by star composers Martha Redbone, Stephen Trask, the late Michael Friedman, and others, this unabashedly queer, unabashedly screwball show paints a radically candid portrait of queer America in the 1930s. Racy bits and all.
“These stories disprove everything we thought about pre-stonewall Queer culture and life,”
Steve Cosson in an interview with The New York Times
Cast
ROBERT M. JOHANSON
HEATH SAUNDERS
JO LAMPERT
WHITNEY ANDREWS
IRENE LUCIO
DAVID GREENSPAN
Music
SONGS
Music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, Martha Redbone, Aaron Whitby.
Just Like a Man
Perfume and Cigarettes
Artist, Philosopher, Queer***
The Charm of the Forbidden
The Heroine
Pansy Craze
Naked and Gay
***Music by Michael Friedman and Stephen Trask
Lyrics by Stephen Trask
BAND
Music Director/Keys/Bass Matt Duncan
Associate Music Director/Keys Nick Kassoy
Guitar/Bass Guitar Matt Katz-Bohen
Drums Gintas Janusonis
Creative Credits
Based on the Book by George W. Henry
Written and directed by Steve Cosson
Co-Writer James La Bella
Co-Conceived with Jessica Mitrani
Original music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, Aaron Whitby,
Martha Redbone, and Michael Friedman
Movement Director Sean Donovan
Dramaturgs Jocelyn Clark, Melissa Hardy, Phoebe Corde
Set Designer David Zinn†
Costume Designer Emily Rebholz†
Lighting Designer Amith Chandrashaker†
Sound Designer Drew Levy†
Video Designer Jessica Mitrani
Associate Video Designer Attilio Rigotti
Associate Set Designer Oscar Escobedo
Associate Costume Designer Maeve Rose
Associate Lighting Designer Stoli Stolnack
Associate Sound Designer Brandon Bulls
Music Supervisor Wiley DeWeese
Music Assistant Nick Kassoy
Producer Margaret Moll
Associate Producer Melissa Hardy
Casting Consultant Geoff Josselson, CSA
Production Stage Manager E Sara Barnes
Assistant Stage Manager Aisling Galvin
Assistant Director Sammy Zeisel
Production Manager Libby J’Vera
Technical Director Steven Brenman
Assistant Production Manager Sophie Larin
Properties Supervisor Thomas Jenkeleit
Lighting Programmer Bev Fremin
The Actors & Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the US.
The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
† Member of United Scenic Artists. Designers in LORT Theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE.USA
“An intellectual extravaganza... [resulting in] a panoramic view of its subject that will be revelatory to anyone who thinks queer life began with the Stonewall riots.”
David Barbour
Gallery
Photos by Greg Kessler
