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Becoming a Man

World-Premiere Play

  • Feb 16, 2024 - Mar 10, 2024

  • Loeb Drama Center

  • Run Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes with no intermission, including a 20-minute Act II discussion

  • Run Time

    1 hour and 50 minutes with no intermission, including a 20-minute Act II discussion

Learn more:

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Illuminating.

WBUR

Poignant and funny.

Cambridge Day

Experience the world-premiere play about one man’s gender transition amid a pivotal political moment in America. From acclaimed memoirist P. Carl and Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus, Becoming a Man is a story about the courage—and the community—we need to become ourselves.

For fifty years, P. Carl lived as a girl and then a queer woman, building a career and a loving marriage while waiting to realize himself in full. When he decides to affirm his gender, his transition puts everything—family, career, friendships—at stake. “This moving narrative illuminates the joy, courage, necessity, and risk-taking of his gender transition” (Kirkus), and poses the question: When we change, can the people we love come with us?

Each performance will begin with a Radical Welcome, where a community member will welcome the audience to the A.R.T and share what has brought them to the show. Each performance of the one-act play will culminate in Act II, a 20-minute facilitated conversation with a local leader, scholar, or activist and a brief audience Q&A exploring the production’s essential question.

This production contains brief physical violence, discussions of suicidal ideation, transphobic language, sounds and images of war, and haze. Recommended for ninth grade and up.

Written by P. Carl
Directed by Diane Paulus and P. Carl

Notable dates

Opening Night: 2/21
ASL Interpreted: 3/3 at 2PM & 3/6 at 7:30PM
Audio Described: 3/2 at 2PM & 3/7 at 7:30PM
Open Captioned: 3/2 at 2PM & 3/7 at 7:30PM
Relaxed: 3/3 at 2PM

Production Sponsors
Marybeth and Stephen Bisson
Emerson College
Alison and Bob Murchison
Act II Support
The Boston Foundation

COVID-19 Protocols

Masks are optional but encouraged. Stay informed about our full policies.

Masks are optional but encouraged. Stay informed about our full policies.

Accessibility

Find out about our theater’s accessibility.

Find out about our theater’s accessibility.

Ticketing Policies

Learn about our ticketing policies and discounts, including for seniors, EBT cardholders, students, and audience members under 25.

Learn about our ticketing policies and discounts, including for seniors, EBT cardholders, students, and audience members under 25.

Content Key

Language 3 out of 5     
Violence 1 out of 5     
Sexual Content 2 out of 5     
Substance Use 1 out of 5     

Language 3 out of 5     
Violence 1 out of 5     
Sexual Content 2 out of 5     
Substance Use 1 out of 5     

Ticket Offers

Audience members entering the theater.

Take Five

FEB 16 – MAR 6 11AM
$5 Tickets

Take Five invites community members who feel attending theater is financially out of reach or want to take a chance on something new to experience the A.R.T. with a $5 ticket. These tickets are sold out for Becoming a Man.

More Info

FEB 16 – MAR 6 11AM
$5 Tickets

Take Five invites community members who feel attending theater is financially out of reach or want to take a chance on something new to experience the A.R.T. with a $5 ticket. These tickets are sold out for Becoming a Man.

More Info
ArtsThursdays Logo

Harvard ArtsThursdays

FEB 22 at 7:30PM
Free with RSVP

Free tickets will be available to the performance on February 22 as part of Harvard ArtsThursdays, a university-wide initiative supported by Harvard University Committee on the Arts. An RSVP is required for one or two tickets as space is limited. On the day of the performance, tickets will be distributed at the Loeb Drama Center to the RSVP list on a first-come, first-served basis.

More Info and RSVP

FEB 22 at 7:30PM
Free with RSVP

Free tickets will be available to the performance on February 22 as part of Harvard ArtsThursdays, a university-wide initiative supported by Harvard University Committee on the Arts. An RSVP is required for one or two tickets as space is limited. On the day of the performance, tickets will be distributed at the Loeb Drama Center to the RSVP list on a first-come, first-served basis.

More Info and RSVP

All Discounts

Standard tickets start at $35, and discounts are available to students and ticket-buyers under the age of 25, Blue Star families, EBT card holders, seniors, Harvard faculty and staff, and others.

More Info

Photos & Videos

Elena Hurts leans on a kitchen island while Petey Gibson smiles while eating from a bag of potato chips.

Audiences Adore Becoming a Man

Watch Now
Elena Hurst leans in close to Stacey Raymond on a bench, while Carl looks on from the side.

Production Photos

10 items
Petey Gibson and Elena Hurst chat while sitting at a table.

First Rehearsal

16 items

Press Coverage

Reviews

Elena Hurts leans on a kitchen island while Petey Gibson smiles while eating from a bag of potato chips.

Broadway World

A moving story of the courage and determination it takes to become ourselves … a production of abundant hopefulness and joy. 

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A moving story of the courage and determination it takes to become ourselves … a production of abundant hopefulness and joy. 

Read full article

Justiin Davis in black athletic clothes and Petey Gibson in a blue button-down shirt smile at each other.

WBUR

Illuminating.

Read full article

Illuminating.

Read full article

Lyam B. Gabel standing onstage speaks into a microphone as the audience listens.

The Tech

People from any identity and background can recognize in Carl’s journey the desperate need to be seen and loved as they are. 

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People from any identity and background can recognize in Carl’s journey the desperate need to be seen and loved as they are. 

Read full article

Cody Sloan sits on an ottoman with a glass in hand as Petey Gibson sits next to him in a chair gesticulating.

Slow Muse

An unforgettable experience…expanding the scope of empathy. I am recommending Becoming a Man to everyone.

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An unforgettable experience…expanding the scope of empathy. I am recommending Becoming a Man to everyone.

Read full article

Elena Hurst and Susan Rome sit on barstools. Susan reaches out to Elena's shoulder. A large sign says “You Are Safe Here” on the left.

METR Mag

Engrossing…Inventive…Enlightening. Gibson is thoroughly captivating, [and] Hurst is equally funny and effervescent.

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Engrossing…Inventive…Enlightening. Gibson is thoroughly captivating, [and] Hurst is equally funny and effervescent.

Read full article

Stacey Raymond in an orange athletic shirt and Petey Gibson in a black jacket and blue cap stand apart, facing different directions. Petey has a phone up to his ear.

Cambridge Day

Poignant and funny. A moving, inspiring trans narrative that hears the audience in Act II.

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Poignant and funny. A moving, inspiring trans narrative that hears the audience in Act II.

Read full article

Elena Hurts leans on a kitchen island while Petey Gibson smiles while eating from a bag of potato chips.

The New England Theatre Geek

Becoming a Man shows us how much more empathy we must muster for our trans and non-binary siblings in humanity.

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Becoming a Man shows us how much more empathy we must muster for our trans and non-binary siblings in humanity.

Read full article

Christopher Liam Moore is bathed in yellow light seated in a recliner with Petey Gibson in front of him clutching his arms.

Stage and Cinema

Creative and absorbing.

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Creative and absorbing.

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Features

Susan Rome holds Stacey Raymond's shoulders while Petey Gibson watches from the darkness.

EDGE Media

In the ART’s ‘Becoming a Man,’ Nonbinary Actor Stacey Raymond Asks the Hard Questions

[Raymond says], “There have been a lot of trans people in the audience who will say, “Thank you for showing a character who isn’t perfect.” He’s trying to find his way; he doesn’t know how to be a man without leaning into some toxic masculinity.”

Read full article

[Raymond says], “There have been a lot of trans people in the audience who will say, “Thank you for showing a character who isn’t perfect.” He’s trying to find his way; he doesn’t know how to be a man without leaning into some toxic masculinity.”

Read full article

Stacey Raymond in an orange athletic shirt and Petey Gibson in a black jacket and blue cap stand apart, facing different directions. Petey has a phone up to his ear.

WBUR

Life imitates art for actor Petey Gibson in A.R.T.’s ‘Becoming A Man’

[Gibson says], “Everybody, if they’re lucky enough to choose themselves, goes through something like this. Trans people are just a really out-loud version of what is a tale as old as time.”

Read full article

[Gibson says], “Everybody, if they’re lucky enough to choose themselves, goes through something like this. Trans people are just a really out-loud version of what is a tale as old as time.”

Read full article

Cody Sloan sits on an ottoman with a glass in hand as Petey Gibson sits next to him in a chair gesticulating.

WERS

Transitioning on Stage: Becoming a Man at ART

[P Carl says], “I wondered about how trans people would connect because our stories are so different. But I realize, even from my own experience in a queer life, even if you just see this little inch of yourself, it makes a huge difference.”

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[P Carl says], “I wondered about how trans people would connect because our stories are so different. But I realize, even from my own experience in a queer life, even if you just see this little inch of yourself, it makes a huge difference.”

Read full article

Justiin Davis in black athletic clothes and Petey Gibson in a blue button-down shirt smile at each other.

GBH’s The Culture Show

P. Carl brings his story from page to stage with ‘Becoming a Man’

[P. Carl takes the audience through] the complex emotions, realities and conflicts that surfaced while examining how becoming a man affected his identity, his place in the world and his relationships including his marriage.

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[P. Carl takes the audience through] the complex emotions, realities and conflicts that surfaced while examining how becoming a man affected his identity, his place in the world and his relationships including his marriage.

Read full article

The Boston Globe

P. Carl’s transition isn’t a solo journey in ART’s ‘Becoming a Man’

“I didn’t want this to be a solo show… The play encompasses several characters [an ensemble of seven actors performs several roles]. Of course it’s about my transition, but it’s also about my relationships with family, spouse, friends. Those are aspects every audience member can connect with.”

Read full article

“I didn’t want this to be a solo show… The play encompasses several characters [an ensemble of seven actors performs several roles]. Of course it’s about my transition, but it’s also about my relationships with family, spouse, friends. Those are aspects every audience member can connect with.”

Read full article

P. Carl stands next to Emma Watt, who holds a computer open to Zoom.

American Theatre

How ‘Becoming a Man’ Is Becoming a Play

[Playwright and Co-Director P. Carl explains], “I just know that for me, I never looked at a picture of myself and saw me until I transitioned. That’s how I know that I was never me; I mean, I was there and I wasn’t there.”

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[Playwright and Co-Director P. Carl explains], “I just know that for me, I never looked at a picture of myself and saw me until I transitioned. That’s how I know that I was never me; I mean, I was there and I wasn’t there.”

Read full article

The Boston Globe

Petey Gibson on snack preparedness, Greta Gerwig, and his role in ‘Becoming a Man’

[Gibson] called the play, making its world premiere at the ART, “really rich, heart-wrenching, and beautiful storytelling with an absolutely stellar, beautiful cast.”

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[Gibson] called the play, making its world premiere at the ART, “really rich, heart-wrenching, and beautiful storytelling with an absolutely stellar, beautiful cast.”

Read full article

P. Carl

Emerson Today

P. Carl to Direct Adaptation of His Memoir for A.R.T.

My way of entering politics is through life. The story doesn’t talk about legislation or include protests. Rather, it tells a human story about relationships, what happens when people change, when a marriage is upended by something no one could prepare for. It’s a play about living, and trans people deserve to live a life in all of its complexities.

Read full article

My way of entering politics is through life. The story doesn’t talk about legislation or include protests. Rather, it tells a human story about relationships, what happens when people change, when a marriage is upended by something no one could prepare for. It’s a play about living, and trans people deserve to live a life in all of its complexities.

Read full article

P. Carl

The New York Times Magazine

Excerpt from Becoming a Man

I had been living as a white Midwestern woman for 50 years and 10 months until one weekend, I crossed a line: After seven months on testosterone, I checked in at the Hotel Chandler in Midtown Manhattan around 6 p.m. “Good evening, sir. How are you?” the receptionist asked me. This wasn’t my first “sir,” but it was the one that began my new life. On March 16, 2017, I became a man.

Read full article

I had been living as a white Midwestern woman for 50 years and 10 months until one weekend, I crossed a line: After seven months on testosterone, I checked in at the Hotel Chandler in Midtown Manhattan around 6 p.m. “Good evening, sir. How are you?” the receptionist asked me. This wasn’t my first “sir,” but it was the one that began my new life. On March 16, 2017, I became a man.

Read full article

Explore

Brenda Withers listens as audience members speak during the Act II talking circle at Gloria: A Life.

Act II

Each performance of the one-act play will culminate in Act II, a 20-minute facilitated audience conversation begun by a local leader, scholar, medical professional, artist, or activist.

More Info and Guests

Each performance of the one-act play will culminate in Act II, a 20-minute facilitated audience conversation begun by a local leader, scholar, medical professional, artist, or activist.

More Info and Guests
5 Finger Breathing Technique for Kids: As you trace the fingers on your hand, slowly inhale going up the finger and slowly exhale as you go down the finger

Resources for Healing

Curated by Dr. Charmain Jackman and Sharon Quimbay Nalasco, these resources support audiences to understand gender diversity and mental health.

Learn More

Curated by Dr. Charmain Jackman and Sharon Quimbay Nalasco, these resources support audiences to understand gender diversity and mental health.

Learn More

Credits

Learn about the collaboration of artists who created the show, as well as the staff, supporters, and partners who made it possible.

Read the Program

Creative Team

Cast (in order of appearance)

Petey Gibson

Carl

Petey Gibson

Petey Gibson

Carl

Petey Gibson

Justiin Davis

Eddie & Others

Justiin Davis

Justiin Davis

Eddie & Others

Justiin Davis

Christopher Liam Moore

Carl’s Father & Others

Christopher Liam Moore

Christopher Liam Moore

Carl’s Father & Others

Christopher Liam Moore

Susan Rome

Carl’s Mother & Others

Susan Rome

Susan Rome

Carl’s Mother & Others

Susan Rome

Stacey Raymond

Polly

Stacey Raymond

Stacey Raymond

Polly

Stacey Raymond

Elena Hurst

Lynette

Elena Hurst

Elena Hurst

Lynette

Elena Hurst

Cody Sloan

Nathan

Cody Sloan

Cody Sloan

Nathan

Cody Sloan