Cast Aside Productions Announces 2019 Season - CABARET, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, and More

Cast Aside Productions, Portland Maine's professional musical theater company, has announced its 2019 season of mainstage shows.

The season begins in April with ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, continues in August with Kander and Ebb's CABARET, and closing the season in November, the New England Premiere of DEBBIE DOES DALLAS: THE MUSICAL.

"This season we hope to employ 100% female-identifying, gender fluid, and transgender casts; 100% female-identifying, gender fluid, and transgender musicians; and 80+% female-identifying, gender fluid, and transgender tech crews and designers on our productions," Executive Director Celeste! Green announced. "While we are exploring creating a safer theater space for women, gender fluid, and transgender folks in our community, our mission with this season is to investigate gendered power dynamics present in these shows through this unique perspective."

According to a report from /purpleseven/ analyzing trends from 2012-2015*: Female customers account for 65% of ticket revenue but only 39% of actors, 36% of directors, and 28% of writers of plays are performed by women. Per an Actor's Equity study from 2016-17**, women only had 35% of principle roles in plays and 42% in musicals in Broadway shows and national tours.

"Gender issues are such a large part of the conversations that every community is having right now," Artistic Director David Surkin commented. "It is not just an artistic exercise for us to discuss them in the context of musical theater; it's our obligation."

If you are interested in auditioning to be a part of the 2019 season you can find detailed information at castasideproductions.com