Charles Busch News

A devout theater fan knows no holiday, and thankfully, many of Broadway's most beloved shows and performers nationwide don't either. So what's a theater enthusiast to do on this Independence Day? Check out a sampling of this year's most exciting 4th of July offerings and click below to revisit some of your favorites saluting our nation in song!

After recent star turns on Failed Intervention and Semi-Celebrity Rehab, Varla Jean Merman has bottomed out. With nowhere to go but up, everyone's favorite deluded diva sets her sights on the ultimate challenge: topping herself! Submitting to her star power, can Varla's legion of fans take bigger wigs, bottomless talent, throatier singing, and lower standards? Snatch up your tickets now to see if Varla can give as well as she takes. Varla Jean Merman in Topping Myself featuring Gerald Goode at the piano runs June 29th - Sept 1st at The Art House in Provincetown. For tickets, visit www.ptownarthouse.com.

Uptown Players returns to the Kalita Humphreys Theater to continue its 2012 season with the Texas premiere of the 2011 Off-Broadway hit comedy, The Divine Sister in a 3- week limited run from July 13 - 29, 2012.

Gingold Theatrical Group's PROJECT SHAW presents GENEVA, by George Bernard Shaw - his 1938 satirical comedy about the world on the brink of WWII-on Monday, July 16 at 7pm at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South) in Manhattan. David Staller produces and directs.

Lesser America, in residence at Theater for the New City has announced that it will present the world premiere of American River, written by Micheline Auger and directed by Stephen Brackett, opening Saturday, July 14th at 8pm at Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets. American River marks the close of the inaugural season for Lesser America, a young theater company in residence at Theater for the New City.

Manhattan Theatre Club has created a special short film in celebration of Lynne Meadow's 40th anniversary as the visionary and artistic leader of the organization. The film premiered on Monday, June 18 during a special tribute event honoring Meadow at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre - now view the video below!

After recent star turns on Failed Intervention and Semi-Celebrity Rehab, Varla Jean Merman has bottomed out. With nowhere to go but up, everyone's favorite deluded diva sets her sights on the ultimate challenge: topping herself! Submitting to her star power, can Varla's legion of fans take bigger wigs, bottomless talent, throatier singing, and lower standards? Snatch up your tickets now to see if Varla can give as well as she takes. Varla Jean Merman in Topping Myself featuring Gerald Goode at the piano runs June 29th - Sept 1st at The Art House in Provincetown. For tickets, visit www.ptownarthouse.com.

In celebration of the LGBTQ community and its advocates, the NEW YORK NEO-FUTURISTS will perform a special, one-weekend-only version of their ongoing, award-winning show Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind featuring 30 short plays in 60 minutes. This year's performance will feature 30 original LGBTQ-themed plays, including 15 world-premiers and 15 fan favorites from years past.

Philadelphia Theatre Company hosts THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSICAL Summer Film Series on four consecutive Wednesday nights beginning July 11.

Manhattan Theatre Club celebrated Artistic Director Lynne Meadow's 40th anniversary as the visionary and artistic leader of the organization with a special tribute last night, June 18. The event will began at 6:30 PM with a VIP cocktail reception, followed by a 7:30 tribute event at the Samuel J. Friedman and a party at Copacabana. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebration and brings you photo coverage of the stars who came out to honor Meadow below!

Manhattan Theatre Club celebrates Artistic Director Lynne Meadow's 40th anniversary as the visionary and artistic leader of the organization with a special tribute tonight, June 18. The event will begin at 6:30 PM with a VIP cocktail reception, followed by a 7:30 tribute event at the Samuel J. Friedman (261 West 47th Street). Immediately after the Friedman tribute event, a party will follow at Copacabana (268 West 47th Street).

Following her holiday show in Provincetown last Christmas, and her debut at the Laurie Beechman Theater in New York City this past February, David Drake's newest theatrical creation Tawny Heatherton will bring her blonde-swept brand of cheer back to the tip of the Cape for her very first summer-long engagement - with the premiere of TAWNY, TELL ME TRUE at the Crown & Anchor in Provincetown, MA. With onstage musical direction by John Thomas, TAWNY, TELL ME TRUE opens tonight, June 17th and performs every Sunday at 10PM thru Sept 2nd in the Crown Cabaret Room of the Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial Street. Tickets are $25, and can be obtained in-person at the box office, or online at www.onlyatthecrown.com. (Note: *No performance on July 8th.)

Theater For The New City has announced the American premiere production of Alberto Bassetti's TWO SISTERS, TWO BROTHERS, directed by Mark Schneider and Valentina Fratti. TWO SISTERS, TWO BROTHERS will play a limited engagement at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue, btw. 9th/10th). Opening Night is tonight, June 9 (8 p.m.).

Theater For The New City has announced the American premiere production of Alberto Bassetti's TWO SISTERS, TWO BROTHERS, directed by Mark Schneider and Valentina Fratti. TWO SISTERS, TWO BROTHERS will play a limited engagement at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue, btw. 9th/10th). Performances begin tonight, June 7 and continue through Sunday, June 24. Opening Night is Saturday, June 9 (8 p.m.).

The Boca Raton Theatre Guild's 2012-2013 season will begin with a comedy, and end with a classic. A.R. Gurney's Sylvia, and Kander & Ebb's Chicago will run in September and March at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park.

The Cape Cod premiere of the smash hit off-Broadway comedy THE DIVINE SISTER opens July 12 at the Provincetown Theater, and runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through September 8th. All performances will be at 8:00PM. Ticket for THE DIVINE SISTER are $30.00, and are available by calling the box office at 508-487-7487, or online at www.provincetowntheater.org.

Coney Island USA & HT productions present Wonder Woman: A How To Guide for Little Jewish Girls, written by Cyndi Freeman and directed by David Drake @ Sideshow By The Seashore Theater, located at 1208 Surf Ave. Brooklyn, NY tonight, June 6 at 9pm. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit www.coneyisland.com.

Philadelphia Theatre Company announces Venus in Fur by David Ives will concludes its 2012-2013 season May 24-June 23, 2013.

Theater For The New City has announced the American premiere production of Alberto Bassetti's TWO SISTERS, TWO BROTHERS, directed by Mark Schneider and Valentina Fratti. TWO SISTERS, TWO BROTHERS will play a limited engagement at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue, btw. 9th/10th). Performances begin Thursday, June 7 and continue through Sunday, June 24. Opening Night is Saturday, June 9 (8 p.m.).