A Family by Choice

Southern Comfort –Pride Films & Plays

When families come together for the holidays, reunions or simply for a celebratory dinner with the parents and siblings, there’s often a fair amount of teasing, arguing and oftentimes the occasion doesn’t end on a happy note. But, within any family the love is always there, even if it’s sometimes only unspoken and implied. And when the gathering is with a family by choice, rather than by blood, there’s really very little difference, because, as someone once said, “Love is love is love.”

This musical about a transgender family, now playing at Pride Films & Plays’ Broadway Theatre, is based upon a much-loved, heartbreaking documentary that took home the Grand Jury Prize at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. This little jewel of a show is about the courageous power of love. With a book and lyrics by Dan Collins, and a warm, often toe-tapping score by Julianne Wick Davis, this talented team, who also brought us the wonderful “Trevor: the Musical,” has created another hit. 

Three years ago, Off-Broadway, the musical was heralded as groundbreaking and heartfelt, but it received mixed reviews. Much of the dissatisfaction lay in the casting. While the New York company was most certainly comprised of an ensemble of talented actor/singers, the creatives sometimes missed the boat. Producing a show about a transgender family, united by choice, rather than blood, they didn’t cast all the characters with representatives from this sector of the LGBT community. That was a mistake that affected the power and sincerity of the production and was noted by critics and audiences alike. After the musical premiered at New York’s Public Theater three years ago, it went on to be performed at several venues around the country, including this current production at Pride Films & Plays.

Directed in Chicago with great sensitivity and creative flair by JD Caudill, a member of Hell in a Handbag and the literary manager of Broken Nose Theatre, this production couldn’t have been placed in better hands. A transgender artist themselves, Caudill brings so much depth to their production, including an empathy and understanding of what it means to be transgender. But additionally, every transgender character in this production is played by a transgender actor, making this truly a groundbreaking event.

The story focuses on Robert Eads, a kind, bighearted  transitioned man in his fifties, who came into this world as Barbara. When Robert’s parents disowned him for his gender choice he left home. Setting up his own digs in rural Georgia, Robert became the unofficial patriarch of a circle of transgender friends, a group of people he called his family, who unconditionally loved each other. The clan would meet every Sunday at Robert’s country cottage for an afternoon of dinner, support and fellowship. 

The “family” also included Jackson, a transitioning young man, who Robert comes to think of as his son. Other members of Robert’s chosen family include Sam, another trans young man, along with his wife, Melanie, a young woman who loves her husband for his gentility. As the musical opens, a couple of new members are joining Robert and his clan. They include Lola, a tall, transgender woman, with whom Robert has fallen deeply in love. Lola Cola lives close to Atlanta, and is justifiably nervous about traveling out to rural Toccoa, Georgia, where anyone living an alternate lifestyle runs the risk of being harassed or possibly harmed by narrow-minded rednecks. The other newcomer to the group is Jackson’s current love, Carly. She’s a spunky transitioned individual who’s far more comfortable with her new life as a woman than Lola. 

The title of the show comes from an annual event to which the family all look forward. It’s the Southern Comfort, or SoCo, a conference for transgender people that gathers for the weekend at the Sheraton Hotel, in Atlanta. Robert hopes to convince Lola to be his date for the event. He and his family members try to persuade Lola that it’s the one time and place where everyone can let down their hair and be themselves, without any fear of persecution. There will be educational workshops, supportive seminars and opportunities to meet lots of other folks, all of whom share similar concerns and problems. And, since Lola has never been to a prom, it’s also a chance to recreate that romantic experience in a safe environment. 

Caudill’s musical production is highlighted by Robert Ollis’ magnificently talented quintet of singer/actor/musicians. Each of these gifted artists portray various minor characters throughout the show, while providing all the sweet-sounding instrumental and vocal harmonics. They mostly occupy the backwoods bandstand section of Jeremy Hollis’ beautiful, creatively designed wood-hewn setting, entering the playing area from time to time. These adept artists include Taylor Dalton, Candice Kight, Kimberly Lawson, Marlo Aivazian and Justin Harner, warming the atmosphere with their astounding vocals and their expertise on keyboard, guitar, electric cello, banjo, fiddle and harmonica. Theatergoers will wish this gifted musical group would continue playing, long after the show is over.

North Homeward is warm and wonderful as Robert. Holding the audience in the palm of his hand, the emotional journey Homeward takes the audience on is bitter, yet so heartbreaking and brave. We learn, early on, that Robert is fighting a losing battle with cancer. Sadly, but ironically, the part of Robert’s body that’s still female is the portion of his anatomy that’s slowly killing him. 

Homeward is matched by a very gifted supporting cast that includes the wonderful Kyra Leigh, as a touching, almost tragic transgender Lola. Lizzy Sulkowski is particularly pitiful and rebellious as transgender Jackson; transgender Ricki Pettinato is feisty and funny as Carly; Benjamin Flores plays a handsome, transgender gentle giant, as Sam; and cisgender Sinclair Willman makes her auspicious professional Chicago debut at Pride Films & Plays as Melanie. 

JD Caudill should be deeply congratulated for assembling this terrific cast and for what they’ve brought out of each actor. The honesty and authenticity of this Chicago production is what makes this musical shine. The score and the cast’s dramatic talents are spot-on, although some of the actors strain a little with the show’s vocal demands. But it’s the story that’s important, a tale of real, remarkably strong, unflinchingly people. They’re a supportive family of individuals that rings true and clear, and it’s their strength and  humanity that’s the essence of this musical. 

This show, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea, is heartfelt and enlightening. The production forces audiences to think, empathize and be aware of the daily struggle that the transgender population endures, as they attempt to simply be themselves and live honest lives of dignity. Spending a couple hours with this group of folks who love and support one another, and have chosen to be a family, will have a lasting effect on every theatergoer.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas                 

Presented February 28-31 by Pride Films & Plays at the Broadway Theater of the Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 866-811-4111 or 773-857-0222 or by going to www.pridefilmsandplays.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.