WORLD PREMIERE

“Basically, whenever The Civilians do something, see it.” – The New Yorker

The Civilians examine the intimate lives of Depression-era queers in this kaleidoscopic, musical fantasia adapted from the 1941 text Sex Variants, a “medical study” of LGBT+ sexuality.

ABOUT THE WORK

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, and striking visuals to celebrate an undersung community—and subvert the pathologizing gaze of the medical establishment.

Featuring original songs by star composers Stephen Trask, Aaron Whitby, Martha Redbone, and the late Michael Friedman. Sex Variants paints a radically candid portrait of queer America in the 1930s. Racy bits and all.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

The Civilians  Founded in 2001, The Civilians is dedicated to ambitious and exuberant new theater that creatively interrogates our lived experience; questions and tests the stories that shape our world; and awakens new thinking and perceptions. Its signature work is “investigative theater”— projects created through field research, community collaborations, and other methods of in-depth inquiry. Shows originated with The Civilians include Anne Washburn’s Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, cited by The New York Times as the “4th Best Play of the Past 25 Years,” and Lucas Hnath’s Dana H., recently on Broadway and included in Top 10 of 2021 lists by The New York Times and Time magazine. Other shows include José Rivera’s Another Word for Beauty, and many works with composer Michael Friedman: Gone Missing, Pretty Filthy, Paris Commune, and more. The Civilians has participated in several BAM Next Wave Festivals, has been produced at many major regional and Off Broadway theaters, and was the first theater company to be Artist-in-Residence at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. With Ghostlight Records, The Michael Friedman Recording Project is creating nine albums of our founding member’s works. The company supports emerging and established artists each year through its new work programs which include the R&D Group new works lab, and a cabaret series of new musicals. The Civilians produces a podcast on SoundCloud; publishes Extended Play, an online journal about its work and the broader theater field; and sustains an active Education Program. www.thecivilians.org

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

The cast includes Whitney Andrews,  David Greenspan, Robert M. Johanson, Jo Lampert, Irene Lucio, and Heath Saunders

Music Director/Keys/Bass Matt Duncan 
Guitar/Keys Matt Katz-Bohen
Drums Gintas Janusonis 

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
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
Music Assistant Nick Kassoy
Production Manager Libby J’Vera
Technical Director Steven Brenman
Assistant Production Manager Sophie Larin
Properties Supervisor Thomas Jenkeleit
Lighting Programmer Bev Fremin

RUN TIME

1 hour and 15 minutes.

READ THE DIGITAL PROGRAM

SUPPORT

NYU Skirball’s programs are made possible in part with support from the National Endowment for the Arts; the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; and the Howard Gilman Foundation; Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels; Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater; Collins Building Services; Harkness Foundation for Dance; Villa Albertine; General Delegation of the Government of Flanders to the USA; Goethe Institut; Austrian Consulate General New York; Marta Heflin Foundation; as well as our valued donors through memberships, commissioning, and Allies for Arts Access Fund support.