May 2, 2025: The Keegan Theatre is pleased to announce a one-night-only Pride concert, featuring acclaimed actor, musician, and writer Lisa Stephen Friday, on Thursday, June 5. Beloved by DC audiences for her celebrated one-woman musical, TRANS AM, which was developed by Keegan’s Boiler Room Series and received its world premiere on the Keegan mainstage in 2022, Friday now returns with a healthy dose of Trans Pride, Trans Joy, and Trans Resilience.
“I am thrilled to return to the Keegan stage this June as part of their World Pride celebration,” explains Friday. “This beautiful theater company played an essential role in helping me to re-launch my performance career, and every time I come here it feels like coming home. As a Transgender artist, it feels extra special to be performing in Washington DC this year. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that trans artists are provided a safe and supportive platform to tell our stories. Keegan continues to be one of those places for me, and I look forward to celebrating and connecting with our community through this special concert.”
The concert will feature solo acoustic versions of Lisa’s original songs, as well as music from TRANS AM and the concert version of the original new piece, DOLL/GIRL: A MUSICAL, which she co-created with writer Joseph Ritsch. As a child of the ’80s, Lisa’s artistic aesthetic is highly influenced by the early days of MTV and the post punk era of pop music. Her songwriting career is now in its third decade: from 2000-2006, Lisa fronted and wrote songs for the band Lisa Jackson and Girl Friday, which was a featured act at NYC’s CBGB’s and headlined the monthly party Homocorp. Lisa Jackson and Girl Friday were one of the few trans fronted bands featured at Pride events around the country, sharing the stage with bands like The Psychedelic Furs, The Motels, and Pat Benatar.
Lisa is joined in this special Pride concert by guest artist Carmen Castillo, a singer, songwriter, musician, and actress originally hailing from the DMV. She is currently recording her debut EP for her solo music project, Carmenesperanza, and can be seen regularly playing bass for New York post punk band Pop Music Fever Dream, who recently toured the country opening for noise rock legends A Place To Bury Strangers. DC theater audiences will remember Carmen from local productions including ONCE and CAROUSEL at Olney Theatre Center and WONDERLAND – ALICE’S ROCK & ROLL ADVENTURE at Imagination Stage.
Tickets for Lisa Stephen Friday in Concert are now on sale for just $25, with $50 Pride VIP tickets available with special benefits. Pride VIP ticket holders will receive exclusive invitations to the pre-concert sound check with Lisa Stephen Friday and enjoy a reception in the Keegan mezzanine with light hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
