Every day is opening night.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

COMPLETE CAST ANNOUNCED FOR
BREAKING THE BINARY THEATRE’S  
ONE-NIGHT-ONLY CONCERT PRESENTATION OF
“THE DROWSY CHAPERONE”
FEATURING A STAR-STUDDED ALL-TRANS AND NON-BINARY CAST
AT
CARNEGIE HALL
ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025

TICKETS GO ON SALE TOMORROW!

New York, NY (August 20, 2025) – Breaking the Binary Theatre founder George Strus (they/them) announced today the complete casting for the organization’s one-night-only concert of The Drowsy Chaperone at the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall on Monday, October 20^th at 8:00pm ET. The special concert will kick off the fourth annual Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival and will feature a star-studded all-trans and non-binary cast. Tickets start at $39 and go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, August 21^st at 11:00am ET at https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2025/10/20/THE-DROWSY-CHAPERONE-in-Concert-0800PM.

The newly announced cast will include Max Mendoza Crumm as ‘George,’ Jack Haven as ‘Feldzieg,’ Dylan Mulvaney as ‘Kitty,’ Chris Renfro as ‘Adolpho,’ Garnet Williams as ‘Trix,’ and Gio Coppola & Futaba as ‘Gangsters,’ with Patrick Nathan Falk, Luz, Zachary A. Myers, Wren Rivera, Nora Schell and Charlie Steiner rounding out the ensemble.

As previously announced, the one-night-only event will also feature Emmy Award-winner Laverne Cox as ‘The Drowsy Chaperone,’ actress and Trans Activist Joslyn Defreece as ‘Underling,’ Tony Award-winner Alex Newell as ‘Janet Van De Graaf,’ RuPaul’s “Drag Race” superstar Peppermint as ‘Mrs. Tottendale,’ Emmy Award-winner Jonathan Van Ness as ‘Man in Chair,’ and pop sensation Betty Who as ‘Robert Martin.’

The concert will be conducted by Music Supervisor Anessa Marie Scolpini. Directed by Tony Award-nominee L Morgan Lee, all net profits from the concert will benefit Breaking the Binary Theatre, Trans Lifeline, and Black Trans Liberation.

The host committee for the evening includes Jody Falco & Jeffrey Steinman, Jennifer Friedland, Carson Gleberman, Junkyard Dog Productions, Gina Maria Leonetti, Margie Mintz, and Claire Wilkes.

To download headshots, click here.

To download key art, click here.

The Drowsy Chaperone features music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. This concert marks the title’s first major New York presentation since the original 2006 Tony Award-winning Broadway production.

The festival, which will continue the groundbreaking theatre company’s mission of producing work created and developed by transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+) theatre artists, will take place October 20, 2025 – October 26, 2025. Evan Bernardin Productions will serve as General Manager. Additional festival programming will be announced at a later date. For more information, please visit www.btb-nyc.com/drowsy.

Breaking the Binary Theatre is a new work development and community building hub wherein transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+*) artists come together to reclaim our artistic license and liberty through a number of initiatives and programs, including the annual all-TNB2S+ Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival each October.

Launched in July 2022 and founded and led by George Strus (they/them), the organization has produced over fifty workshops and readings of new works by TNB2S+ artists; produced a three-week run of Cecilia Gentili’s Red Ink off-Broadway starring Jes Tom, Angelica Ross, and Peppermint, raising over $35,000 for charities; co-produced the world premiere of Sarah Mantell’s In The Amazon Warehouse Parking Lot with Playwrights Horizons, commissioned over fifty TNB2S+ artists; hosted over thirty community events; launched a free educational Summer Intensive for emerging TNB2S+ performers, a New Musicals program to develop musicals written by and featuring TNB2S+ performers, and a BTB Across America program for TNB2S+ artists outside of New York; published three collections with Broadway Licensing; partnered with Playbill, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Signature Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, and BroadwayCon; been in-residence at Playwrights Horizons, Williamstown Theatre Festival and New York Stage and Film; and paid out over $750,000 to over 500 TNB2S+ artists!

*Breaking the Binary Theatre uses the term “TNB2S+” in hopes to encompass any person who is transgender, non-binary, Two-Spirit, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, agender, intersex, gender expansive, bigender, gender fluid, or any identity within the umbrella transgender community.

BTB is currently presenting Cecilia Gentili’s Red Ink at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Starring Chiquitita, the production is playing at Underbelly, Bristo Square from Wednesday, July 30 – Monday, August 25 at 14:30. For tickets and more information, please visit https://www.btb-nyc.com/red-ink-fringe.

Breaking the Binary Theatre is counseled by its Core Community, a voluntary advisory board of prominent TNB2S+ theatre artists working to further its outreach and impact. The board includes Tony Award-nominated designer Adam Rigg (they/them, The Skin of Our Teeth), Kleban Prize and Jonathan Larson Award-winning writer César Alvarez (they/them, Futurity), New York Stage and Film’s former Artistic Director Chris Burney (he/they), Princess Grace Award Honoraria recipient and director David Mendizábal (they/he, The Bandaged Place), Guggenheim Fellow and writer Jen Silverman (they/them+, Spain), Tony and Obie Award-winning actor and writer John Cameron Mitchell (he/they, “Shrill” on Hulu), Tony Award-winning multi-hyphenate KO who was formerly known as Karen Olivo (they/them, In the Heights), Kleban Prize and Jonathan Larson Award-winning poet Kit Yan (they/he/she, Interstate), Tony Award nominee L Morgan Lee (she/her, A Strange Loop), Jane Chambers Prize and Helen Merrill Award-winning writer MJ Kaufman (he/they, A Transparent Musical), Antonyo Award-nominated costume designer and activist Qween Jean (she/her, Primary Trust), Tony Award-winner and activist Sara Ramirez (they/them, “Grey’s Anatomy”), Co-Director of A.R.T./New York Risa Shoup (they/them), Tomás Matos (they/them, “Fire Island”), Grammy Award-winning interdisciplinary storyteller Ty Defoe (he/we/ty, Straight White Men), and Artistic Director of Rattlestick Theater Will Davis (he/him).

Breaking the Binary Theatre is powered by Producer Hub. For more information, please visit http://www.btb-nyc.com or @BreakingtheBinaryTheatre on Instagram.

The Drowsy Chaperone is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Original Broadway production of The Drowsy Chaperone produced by Kevin McCollum, Roy Miller, Bob Boyett, Stephanie McClelland, Barbara Freitag and Jill Furman.

BIOGRAPHIES

MAX MENDOZA CRUMM (George) is a New York–based actor, singer, and writer whose work spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and film. On Broadway, they originated the role of Scott in Disaster! (Nederlander Theatre) and starred as Danny Zuko in the most recent revival of Grease. Off-Broadway credits include The Connector, Emojiland, The Evolution of Mann, Hot Mess, The Fantasticks, Disaster!, and Brooklyn Crush (formerly F#%king Up Everything, NY Times Critics’ Pick). Regional work includes Something Rotten! (Sharon Playhouse), Matthew McConaughey vs. The Devil (NYMF), Beatsville (Asolo Rep), and Legendale (Human Race Theatre). On screen, Crumm’s credits include “Elsbeth”, “Emergence,” “Ray Donovan,” the cult comedy Easy A, “Killing Diaz,” among others. Creator/Host of the comedy podcast “High, Sweetie!”

JACK HAVEN (Feldzeig) is an American actor and filmmaker most recently nominated for a Gotham and Independent Spirit Award for their performance in Jane Schoenbrun’s acclaimed second feature, I Saw the TV Glow. Jack is known for playing teenage heartthrob Casey Gardner in the Netflix original series “Atypical.” They can also be seen in Gabriel Abrantes’ surrealist horror film Amelia’s Children. Jack’s directorial debut October Crow premiered in official selection at the 2025 UnCanney Film Festival in Cannes, France.

DYLAN MULVANEY (Kitty) is an actress, comedian, content creator, and New York Times bestselling author who is known for her viral series “Days of Girlhood” which has over 1 billion views across all social media platforms. Dylan was previously named Forbes’ 30 under 30, Out 100 and Attitude Magazine’s Woman of the Year for 2023. To celebrate her first year of transition, Dylan produced a live show – Day 365 – at The Rainbow Room to support The Trevor Project and raised nearly two hundred thousand for queer youth. Most recently Dylan made her West End debut in the new play We Are Not Kids Anymore, which premiered at the Savoy Theater. Next up, Dylan will be starring in her one-woman show The Least Problematic Woman in the World which will run this Fall at the Lortel Theatre. The show is adapted from her sold-out Edinburgh Fringe play, F*GHAG. In March of 2024, Dylan released her first book Paperdoll: Notes of a Late Bloomer, which debuted on The NY Times Best-Sellers list. Dylan is a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and has performed in the Broadway musical Book of Mormon in the US, Canada and Mexico.

CHRIS RENFRO (Adolpho) is an Asian-American multi-hyphenate who most recently starred as Mary’s Teacher in the Tony Award winning play, Oh, Mary! On TV/film, they can be seen in “Queer as Folk,” “Good Trouble,” “The L Word: Generation Q,” “Tom Swift,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Reno 911!,” and the MTV original movie, Pretty Stoned.

GARNET WILLIAMS (Trix) (She/They) is a writer, actor, and singer originally from Atlanta, GA. She’s recently been seen as Nina Simone in Nina Simone: Four Women (Geva Theatre), as Pythio in Head Over Heels (Monumental Theatre Co), and in an Obie Award winning turn as a litter of kittens in Cats: The Jellicle Ball (PAC NYC). She also recently raised the roof during her solo show: Garnet with a G at Joe’s Pub 9/29. For Lucile.

GIO COPPOLA (Gangster) (he/him) is a recent graduate of Pace University’s Musical Theater BFA (after 3 years at The University of the Arts). As a proud trans man, Gio is so grateful and honored to be a part of this production. Regional: Ensemble in Something Rotten! (Barnstormers Theater) and Elle’s Dad/Winthrop in Legally Blonde (Prescott Park). Thank you to L Morgan and everyone at BTB for making this happen for our community. Insta/Tiktok @gioo.coppola, giocoppola.com.

FUTABA SHIODA (Gangster) (he, his) is an actor of transgender and Asian Diaspora experience and the winner of an Obie and a Paul Robeson Award for his work bridging art and advocacy. Select Theater Credits: Feste in Twelfth Night (Folger Theatre), Gerd in A Transparent Musical (Center Theatre Group), Clown in The 39 Steps (Rep Theatre of St. Louis), Galatea in Galatea (WP Theater), NoFi in BLUSH (SoHo Rep), and the Original 20th Anniversary Cast of RENT. Film: Therapist Crush, Sideways Smile. Voice Over: Kennedy Center for Young Audiences, Spotify’s “Raise Your Voice.” heyfutaba.com / @heyfutaba

PATRICK NATHAN FALK (Ensemble) (he/him/his) is overjoyed to be a part of BTB’s The Drowsy Chaperone! Patrick is a Brooklyn-based actor who recently made his off-Broadway debut in the New Group’s NYC premiere production of The Last Bimbo of the Apocalypse. Favorite other credits include Putting It Together at Pace University and Rock of Ages at the Firehouse in MA. Pace BFA MT 2024. Patrick is deeply, profoundly grateful for the fellow transgender people in his life who have uplifted him and held him close. It is all for you. More at patrickfalk.com @patricknfalk

LUZ (Ensemble) (they/them) is a performer and creative who is particularly passionate about creating in community with other queer people. During a time of great personal and collective upheaval, this project feels perfectly aligned with Luz’s goals as an artist. They’re thrilled to be working with BTB again and to be joining this incredible team!

ZACHARY A. MYERS (Ensemble) (she/her) is thrilled to be making her Carnegie Hall debut with this fabulous production! She made her Broadway debut in the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop (Broadway), understudying the roles of Thought 1 and Thought 2. Her other notable credits include Cats: The Jellicle Ball (Off-Broadway), A Complicated Woman (Goodspeed Musicals), Head Over Heels (Richmond Triangle Players), and Emojiland (First National Tour). Much love to Jhonika and Stacy—her greatest champions—and special thanks to Clear Talent Group for their continued support. IG: @zacharyamyers

WREN RIVERA (Ensemble) (they/them) is thrilled to be part of this queer/trans production! They’ve been lucky to be in The Heart at La Jolla, Jagged Little Pill on Broadway, play Stephanie in Teeth Off-Broadway, Jules in Between The Lines Off-Broadway, and make their television debut on Apple TV’s WeCrashed amongst other wonderful projects. They are represented by Nicolosi & Co. and Emery Entertainment. Join them: @w.t.rivera

NORA SCHELL (Ensemble) (they/them) is honored to be a part of BTB’s The Drowsy Chaperone at Carnegie Hall. Nora originated the role of Bustopher Jones in Cats: The Jellicle Ball Off-Broadway (Obie Award). Nora received Drama Desk, Drama League and Clive Barnes Award nominations for their Off-Broadway debut in Spamilton. They made their Broadway debut in Jagged Little Pill. Nora serves as a cowriter and composer for the new musical Sweet Canaan. Nora graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA in Musical Theatre & a minor in Gender, Race and Nation.

CHARLIE STEINER (Ensemble) is extremely grateful just to be in the room and to have the opportunity to perform with this group of people!  Charlie hopes to be a part of many more important and special projects! Regional: Heathers (JD), Spring Awakening (Melchior). Charlie is a current Senior Musical Theater major at PACE University! Charlie would like to thank L Morgan Lee and BTB Theatre For giving him this incredible Opportunity! Love you Momma! @_charliesteiner_

GEORGE STRUS (Producer + Breaking the Binary Theatre’s Founding Artistic Director) is a trans non-binary Latiné producer and dramaturg based in New York. They founded Breaking the Binary Theatre: an Obie Award-winning new work development and community building hub for transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2s+) theatermakers. They are also the Founding CEO of theatrical production company Benson Drive Productions, whose recent credits include Trisha Paytas’ Big Broadway Dream (raising over $150,000 for the Entertainment Community Fund), Becoming Eve at New York Theatre Workshop, and Stephen Sondheim’s The Frogs in London. Future projects include Mathilde Dratwa’s A Play About…, Amber Ruffin’s Bigfoot, Cecilia Gentili’s Red Ink, a.k. payne’s Furlough’s Paradise, The Danish Girl, Neil Simon’s Rumors, and over 25 projects in various stages of development. George was a proud co-producer of the 2023 off-Broadway world premiere production of Stephen Sondheim’s final musical, Here We Are and the Broadway premieres of Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! (2025 Tony Nomination), Jackie Sibblies Drury, Justin Peck, and Sufjan Stevens’ Illinoise (2024 Tony Nomination), Sam Gold’s Romeo + Juliet (2025 Tony Nomination), Simon Rich’s All In, and Jamie Lloyd’s Evita (West End). They were awarded the 2024 Prince Fellowship (in association with Columbia University School of the Arts) and are a member of the 2025 Shubert Organization Artistic Circle. www.georgestrus.com

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