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Laverne Cox had her first-ever performance at Carnegie Hall not only as a big career move but also as a great personal pleasure that spoiled such a spontaneous late-night snack. The Emmy-nominated actress and transgender icon appeared in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ as part of a one-night-only production with Breaking the Binary Theatre and later on bought himself kettle chips and a pastry from a NYC bodega as his after-show treat.
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Laverne Cox is at the summit of her career after a great artistic achievement. She followed her Carnegie Hall debut with a giveaway of an intimate, stream-of-consciousness-type video depicting her ecstatic state after the performance and the hunt for the perfect late-night treat. Outside a deli that operates 24/7 near the famous venue, she was exuding sheer joy and at the same time pondering what the night meant.
‘So I had my Carnegie Hall debut tonight,’ she began, her voice full of excitement. ‘I just left the tiny after party and I am in midtown, close to Carnegie Hall, at this 24-hour jelly, Luke J. Guy—whatever we are going to call it—in New York. And I am like, I want a treat.’
The Orange Is the New Black actress was not just hunting for a snack—she had something already specially friendly for the celebration in mind that was also her reason for calling the whole performance period emotionally and physically draining. Cos narrated the rigorous practice which was part and parcel of her Carnegie Hall moment, and she made sure to mention that she was in full costume rehearsals, having regular voice coaching, and at the same time, protecting her voice for the big night.
‘It’s an honor to be on that floor,’ she said of Carnegie Hall, acknowledging the challenge of performing at such a legendary place. Ironically, it was the other transgender artists who were going to be her colleagues on stage that would make the occasion even more precious. ‘The fact that we were all beautiful trans folks up there exhibiting our talent during this great show,’ she was fascinated. ‘Such a great lot of talent on the stage today.’
Cox, after a lengthy discussion on what snacks to choose—first thinking about Pringles then transitioning to what she called ‘better choices’—finally decided on backyard barbecue kettle chips, an apple strudel, and she had a little bit of a carrot muffin. The whole picking out process was filmed with such excited energy their lady had just realized a lifelong dream.
‘This is my treat for performing tonight at Carnegie Hall,’ she said while displaying her picked goodies. The day was particularly nostalgic for Cox who recalled how the 24-hour nature of New York the culture reminded her of her transition days from club acts to the prestigious floor of Carnegie Hall.
‘It’s making me think of that daily run you actually do from the club to Carnegie Hall,’ she said. ‘Yeah, I’m having that kind of moment.’
The online party kept going with Cox continuing to send posts regarding his experience: ‘Making my Carnegie Hall debut last night with Breaking the Binary Theatre in our one night only production of The Drowsy Chaperone I wanted a treat. These camera angles are pathetic. Kettle chips were good likewise were the strudel and I got a bit of the carrot muffin.’
Other performers, who were also admirers, could not help but rush into the comments section with their congratulations and excitement to share. One cast member literally wrote: ‘Really an honor to be able to perform alongside you,’ thus summarizing the closeness of the respect among the people involved in the production.
Another one noted the wonderful full-circle-like pathway of Cox’s career and said: ‘“the club was carnegie hall” righttttt, congratulations on your carnegie debuttt! you were great.’ The audience’s applause for Cox was coinciding with her own remark about her artistic growth from the downtown venues to the world’s leading stage.
The human angle of celebrating big victories with small indulgences was much in the air. ‘I stopped there after the show, too! You were wonderful!!!’ said another commenter, revealing that they had the same post-performance routine.
However, there was no single comment just about the other woman—the one who followed was furnishing practical advice: ‘Babe…don’t eat sugar late at night.’ But even this may possibly be the case that practical concern could not outweigh the beautifully uplifting spirit and joy that was surrounding the mainly younger woman’s taking of the milestone.
So, events that took count not only in the actor’s life as just one more professional high, but rather as a mark and big win in the whole trans community case of acceptance. One respondent put it this way: ‘We hate to see you happy and to see the real you, Laverne. No more mountains of silver lining. You are the light that shines through the dark, dystopian world we’re all in!!’
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The combination of kettle chips, strudel, and the overarching sense of accomplishment made Laverne Cox’s Carnegie Hall debut celebration a declaration of the truth that often the most significant aspect of professional milestones is found in the simplest, human-like pleasures. The actress who was once playing in clubs has definitely made it to Carnegie Hall—and she celebrated just like herself, no more and no less. Her recent viral video further showcases her impactful presence. She also stunned in an iconic vintage Mugler dress, a piece she has unveiled for an upcoming fashion book. This performance was particularly significant as Laverne Cox made history on the Carnegie Hall stage with an all-trans cast.