images c/o plate 3 photography
Presenting a Birthday Funeral for Heroes!
Cake, coffin, gavel, choir, composers, live musical trolling!
On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the much lauded homo poet Walt Whitman’s birth, a group of Philly queers and misfits known as The Bearded Ladies Cabaret gathers overlooking the Whitman Bridge to put this ancestor and his legacy on trial. Come with friends, complaints, heroes and villains alike. All are welcome.
Video by Ben Grinberg. Song lyrics by Walt Whitman and music by Emily Bate
production information
Daniel de Jesús
Elah Perelman
Jackie Soro
Pax Ressler
Veronica Chapman-Smith
Anthony Martinez Briggs (Philadelphia)
Fernando Contreras (New York)
Featuring the Whitman Choir
Heath Allen
Josh Machiz
Jimmy Coleman
The Whitman Choir directed by Liz Braden and organized by Emily Bate and Veronica Chapman Smith
Directed by John Jarboe
Written by John Jarboe and the ensemble with Mary Tuomanen
Music Director Heath Allen
Set Design by William Boles
Costume Design by Tyler Mark Holland
Lighting Design by Reza Behjat
Sound Design by Daniel Perelstein
Props Design by Sara Outing
Dramaturgy by Sally Ollove
Stage Managed by Nic Labadie-Bartz
Production Managed by Calvin Anderson
Assistant Stage Manager Melody Wong
Assistant Costume Design Scott McMaster