THE TRIBUTE ARTIST with Julie Halston, Cynthia Harris & More Begins Performances Tomorrow at Primary Stages

Beginning Tuesday, January 21, Primary Stages, Daryl Roth, and Ted Snowdon in association with Jamie deRoy present The Tribute Artist, a new world premiere comedy written by and starring Tony-nominee Charles Busch (The Divine Sister, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Olive and the Bitter Herbs). Directed by Busch's long-time collaborator Carl Andress (The Divine Sister, The Third Story), the cast will also feature Mary Bacon (Harrison, TX...; Giant), Cynthia Harris (Lost in Yonkers, "Mad About You"), Julie Halston (Olive and the Bitter Herbs, Anything Goes) Keira Keeley (Angels in America, The Glass Menagerie), and Jonathan Walker (The Assembled Parties, The Divine Sister). The Tribute Artist runs through March 16 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters. Opening night is Sunday, February 9 at 6pm.

Primary Stages welcomes back their favorite farceur Charles Busch, the author of Primary Stages' hits You Should Be So Lucky and Olive and the Bitter Herbs, and Broadway's The Tale of the Allergist's Wife. This new comedyfeatures Mr. Busch himself as an out-of-work female impersonator who, when his elderly landlady dies in her sleep, takes on her identity in order to hang on to her valuable Greenwich Village townhouse. This "perfect" plan goes awry and leads to a wild path of twists and reversals plotted by an eccentric rogues gallery of outrageous schemers. Expect Busch's signature blend of quick-witted banter and gender-bending hijinks in this new play written specifically for Primary Stages from the master of Off-Broadway farce.

The Tribute Artist features a scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Gregory Gale, lighting design by Kirk Bookman, sound design by Jill BC Du Boff, original music by Lewis Flinn, and wig design by Katherine Carr.

"It is always a delight to be working with the ever-resourceful, always surprising Charles Busch on a new play," says Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director, Primary Stages. "The Tribute Artist will be our third production and our second commission with Charles. We are looking forward to a joyful ride."

Tickets may be purchased by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, online at www.primarystages.org, or in person at the 59E59 Theaters Box Office. Group Tickets (10+) are $49 each for all performances. Group sales are available by calling (212) 840-9705, ext. 204. Please visit the website at www.primarystages.org, or call (212) 840-9705 for additional information.