The text for ANDY: A Popera is written by John Jarboe, in development with Sean Lally and the Bearded Ladies ensemble.

John Jarboe is the Artistic Director of the Bearded Ladies Cabaret. A Philadelphia-based theatre artist, John graduated from the University of Michigan, with a BFA in Theatre. In addition to directing, choreographing, producing and performing with the Beards, John finds time to collaborate outside the cabaret world as an actor, musician, teaching artist and consultant. He volunteers for Attic Youth, a local center that creates opportunities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth in Philadelphia.

John appeared locally with The Walnut Street Theatre (A Christmas Carol, Love Story, Vincent In Brixton, Arsenic & Old Lace), Theatre Exile (Cock), People’s Light and Theatre (The Rainmaker), Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre (Hamlet, As You Like It) and The Wilma (Macbeth). Some favorite work includes turns as Julia Child in Inside Julia Child (Philly Fringe) and as the title role in The Green Fairy Cabaret (Philly School of Circus and Kimmel Center) which he wrote and performed in as part of the inaugural Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). He collaborated with Applied Mechanics Theatre Company in Portmanteau, Vainglorious, Overseers and Some Other Mettle, and was a recipient of the 2013 Performing Arts Fellowship from the Independence Foundation.