For some members of the LGBTQ+ community, the world of musical theater has long been an underrepresented space with limited roles and opportunities for queer, trans, and nonbinary individuals both on stage and behind the scenes. However, Ring of Keys, a groundbreaking organization dedicated to elevating queer voices in musical theater, is changing that narrative. Their annual gala, Queering the Canon: A Retrospective, is more than just a performance; it’s a celebration of queer artistic expression, inclusivity, and the breaking down of barriers in a traditionally heteronormative industry.
On March 17 at Joe’s Pub in New York City, Ring of Keys will host a night of exceptional performances and new works by queer artists. The event will also be live-streamed to ensure it reaches a global audience. This marks the seventh anniversary of the organization and the latest installment of its iconic Queering the Canon series, which reimagines beloved, iconic musical theatre songs with a queer lens. This annual gala will exhibit what is often overlooked in mainstream musical theatre an opportunity for queer, trans, and nonbinary artists to claim space, tell their stories, and reshape the art form.
The evening promises a rich blend of musical performances from renowned queer musical theatre artists, as well as original works by queer songwriters. Some of the names involved in creating these new pieces include Joanna Burns, Andi Lee Carter, Lucier&Rose, Lindsey Augusta Mercer, Zeniba Now, and Rodney Bush. These songs, paired alongside reimagined versions of iconic musical theatre songs, offer a celebration of queer voices and explore what it means to “queer” the canon, expanding the landscape of musical theatre and will show what could have been if queer identities were more visibly represented in the genre’s history.
Notable performers such as Klea Blackhurst, Grant Evan, Natalie Joy Johnson, Madison McBride, and Tomás Matos will be taking the stage, bringing these new works to life. They will be joined by Jade McLeod, Rivkah Reyes, Murphy Taylor Smith, and other talented artists who are helping shape the future of musical theatre.
The evening is more than just a performance; it also includes a silent auction, offering exclusive items and custom experiences, as well as testimonials from Keys members who have been positively impacted by the work of Ring of Keys. These elements remind everyone that the cause is greater than the performance it’s about building a sustainable and supportive community for LGBTQ+ artists.
At the heart of the event lies the Queering the Canon series, which takes songs from the traditional musical theatre repertoire and reinterprets them with a queer lens. This year’s event, A Retrospective, brings together some of the best performances and songs from past Queering the Canon concerts, offering a rich tapestry of musical re-imaginings. Through casting, song arrangements, and reinterpretations, the series opens up the world of musical theatre to new possibilities and perspectives.
But the event is about more than just reimagining old classics; it’s about creating a new canon of musical theatre that reflects the realities, experiences, and diversity of the queer community. Joanna Burns, Andi Lee Carter, Anessa Marie Scolpini, and others contribute original works that will be performed at the gala. These pieces offer audiences fresh, relevant content that speaks directly to their experiences, giving voice to queer stories and shining a spotlight on artists whose narratives have often been silenced or marginalized in the broader theatre world.
For the LGBTQ+ community as a whole, this event represents progress in terms of visibility and opportunity in the arts. The theatre world has been slow to recognize and address the systemic inequities that have kept queer artists at the margins, but initiatives like Ring of Keys’ gala are pushing for meaningful change. By showcasing queer artists and giving them a platform to create, perform, and be seen, Ring of Keys is helping to shift the narrative and create a more inclusive and diverse artistic space.
Ring of Keys’ Queering the Canon: A Retrospective is also an essential part of the organization’s broader mission to create a vibrant and diverse musical theatre landscape. Through initiatives like the Queering the Canon Concert Series, workshops, and their artist directory, Ring of Keys brings a community of queer artists who are committed to supporting each other’s work and growth. This sense of community is essential, as it provides not only a network of professional connections but also a sense of belonging in an industry that has long excluded LGBTQ+ individuals from leadership roles and key creative positions.
The organization’s efforts also emphasize the importance of personal and professional development with programs that address financial literacy, legal rights, and anti-racism within the queer artistic community. These initiatives ensure that LGBTQ+ artists are equipped with the tools they need to succeed while addressing the unique challenges they face in an industry that often doesn’t cater to their needs.
At its core, Queering the Canon: A Retrospective is a celebration of queer joy, resilience, and creativity. The event is not just about advocating for representation; it’s about celebrating the rich, diverse contributions that queer artists bring to the world of musical theater. For the audience, it’s an opportunity to witness groundbreaking performances and to reflect on the progress made by queer artists over the past several years.
The seventh anniversary of Ring of Keys marks a significant milestone in the fight for LGBTQ+ visibility in musical theater, and this event showcases the ongoing commitment to creating space, opportunity, and visibility for queer voices. As more and more people from the LGBTQ+ community flock to this event, whether in person at Joe’s Pub or virtually, the hope is that this celebration will inspire future generations of queer artists to take their place on the stage, write their own stories, and continue to queer the canon of musical theatre for years to come.
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