This coming Saturday at 7:30 PM, Vermont Pride Festival at Chandler will present Paul Lucas' groundbreaking play Trans Scripts, Part I: The Women, in a staged reading to benefit GLAD's transgender-rights project across New England. Included in this Vermont premiere will be original cast member Bianca Leigh, reprising her role as Tatiana. The one-act production will be followed by a talkback including Mr. Lucas and the ensemble and a reception to meet and greet the playwright and the actors.

Of the US premiere in Boston, The Boston Herald wrote that this ground-breaking play presents "... a set of deep-rooted stories full of warmth and vulnerability that speaks to anyone en route to discovering their own identity."

In addition to Ms. Leigh, director Cher Laston's cast includes a talented and diverse group from across the region: Bobby Blaise (Barre), Amy Engsholmen (Albany), Susan Loynd (Fayston), Toni Maviki (Danbury, NH), Cynthia Seckler (Fayston), Jeff Tolbert (Randolph), and Kim Ward (Montpelier). In addition to Mr. Lucas, the post-performance panel will include Daniel Weiss, MSW, Public Information Manager for GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD); and Katie Taylor, a transgender veteran who works as a suicide-prevention trainer and peer facilitator.

Tickets for the benefit are on sale now at www.chandler-arts.org and at the Chandler box office (802/728-9878, extension 1):
-- Adults $20 in advance, $22 at the door.
-- Students $15 in advance, $17 at the door.
Group rates are available by calling the box office, noon - 4 PM on weekdays.

You won't want miss this one-night only terrific play, for a terrific cause.