Podcasts
Let Me Ascertain You is a podcast that investigates vital questions of the present. Let Me Ascertain You draws from live performances at the premiere nightclub Joe’s Pub. Here the Civilians’ artists perform the real words of various ordinary and extraordinary people. And proves that truth is indeed stranger and more wonderful than fiction.
The show also features original songs, also taken verbatim from interviews, and created by some of the leading musical theater and downtown cabaret talent in New York including company member Michael Friedman (Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson), César Alvarez and the Lisps, Lady Rizo, The Bengsons, Grace McLean and others. The acting company is made up of the Broadway and Off-Broadway talents of the Civilians’ resident company. Along with special guest stars such as Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black), Pedro Pascal (Narcos and Game of Thrones), Kathryn Hahn (Parks and Recreation, Girls, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy), Kathleen Chalfant (The Affair and House of Cards), and many more.
Live at The Metropolitan Museum
During The Civilians’ residency at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the company explored the stories behind the art through interviews with curators, artists, and museum visitors. These special episodes of Let Me Ascertain You bring those conversations to life through original songs and performances, exploring themes of beauty, love, identity, and American life while offering a fresh perspective on the museum’s collections.
Against The Grain
Against The Grain was created using The Civilians signature investigative approach. From transcripts of interviews The Civilians conducted with Micki Grant, Hope Clarke, Marie Thomas, Jelani Alladin, and Darilyn Castillo, five composers and our writing/directing team created this twenty-minute musical about the origin story and legacy of Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope.
