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The Drillmaster: America’s Gayest Founding Daddy
Jenny Zigrino stars as Baron von Steuben in The Drillmaster, a revolutionary comedy with Guy
Branum, Beth Stelling, Dylan Adler and more for one night only at The Elysian on October 13.
LOS ANGELES — The Drillmaster, the outrageous historical comedy about America’s gayest
founding daddy and possibly the Founding Fathers’ most qualified HR nightmare, returns to Los
Angeles for one night only at The Elysian on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Created by Jenny Zigrino (Conan, DropoutTV, Bad Santa 2) and Caleb Zeringue (Luigi: The
Musical, Edinburgh Fringe), the play stars Zigrino as the Prussian officer who transformed a
chaotic, deeply unstructured revolutionary militia into something resembling an army, while
asking the timeless question: what if military discipline had better cheekbones?
Part historical fact, part historical farce,
The Drillmaster revisits Valley Forge with a very queer lens, spotlighting von Steuben’s legacy alongside the historically hidden romance between Alexander Hamilton (Caleb Zeringue) and John Laurens (Jeremey Crittiden). It also tackles
urgent civic questions, including who gets to belong in a nation of immigrants, who gets written
out of history, and whether Lin-Manuel Miranda owes gay people reparations.
Following acclaimed readings in San Francisco and Los Angeles (praised as “genuinely funny...
clever and thoroughly entertaining” by Freaks of HHN), the creative team returns with a newly
revised script, fresh chaos, and enough powdered-wig energy to threaten the Republic.
Jeffrey Jay (The Game Awards, NYTimes) joins as co-writer and cast member, with Kimmie
Kim (SNL: Live From New York!, songwriter, Rupi Kaur Live) as executive producer.
Zigrino, Zeringue and Jay perform alongside Guy Branum, Beth Stelling, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Dylan
Adler, and more.
The Drillmaster invites audiences to witness a preview of what may be the next big comedy play
on its march toward Broadway, the West End and, naturally, whispered conversations in the
dark room of an Eagle somewhere.
About Jenny Zigrino (Creator) -
With the sweetness of the midwest and the sharp edge of the east coast, Jenny Zigrino brings a powerful comedic performance to any stage. She combines hilarious anecdotes and sharp, witty observations with a cheeky style that challenges social norms and what it means to be human. Her brutal honesty and undeniable charm create a compelling comedic experience you won't forget.
She made her late night debut on Conan with Conan O'Brien and performed a total of three guest appearances. In 2023 she performed on The Late Late Show with James Corden and was met with rave reviews. She was a Just For Laugh's New Faces in 2016 and since then has been featured on Comedy Central, MTV, HBO, Netflix is a Joke and many others. She starred in films such as Bad Santa 2 alongside Billy Bob Thornton and in the horror comedy Too Late in 2021. She's headlined festivals like Moon Tower, New York Comedy Festival, and High Plains Comedy Festival. She's written and performed several comedy specials including Comedy Central Presents the Half Hours and her latest hour special Jen-Z premiered on Comedy Central Digital in 2023. Her latest appearance on After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson has been hailed as one of the funniest episodes yet by fans. Her most recent Don't Tell Comedy special is out now.
About Caleb Zeringue (Co-Writer) -
Caleb is a stand-up comic, writer, and original executive producer of Luigi the Musical; a dark comedy that sold 3,000+ tickets across 13 sold-out shows and somehow earned coverage from The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, NPR's All Things Considered, and a mention from Stephen Colbert. As a stand-up, he's a NYC Queer Comedy Festival finalist, featured at Vice City Comedy Festival and LGBTLolFest, and has opened for national headliners including Jenny Zigrino and Lady Bushra — who STILL won't talk to him. He's performed at Cobb's, The Stand, Gotham, and Edinburgh Fringe. He grew up across 16 states (his dad insists he's not bipolar, why do you ask?!). His comedy is unapologetically queer and southern, with a suspicious amount of emotional vulnerability and “bless your heart” energy. Follow him at Caleb.meringue across all platforms.
*Doors open 30 minutes before showtime* Seating is general admission and begins 15 mins before showtime. Late seating is at the discretion of individual shows. Lineup subject to change. Tickets are non-transferable. We do NOT honor tickets from third-party sellers. No Refunds.