Charles Busch News

Audience response to the sparkling cast and Genie Croft's crisp direction of The Boca Raton Theatre Guild's production of The Tale of the Allergist's Wife has been nothing but enthusiastic. Charles Busch's comedy of manners has Willow Theatre patrons in gales of laughter from the play's opening lines to its final curtain.

The annual Primary Stages November Night to Remember Gala, a fundraiser benefiting the extensive artistic development programs offered by the company, was just held at the Edison Ballroom, last night, November 9, 2011. Each year at their annual Gala, Primary Stages honors an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the American theater. This year's gala honored the writers, lyricists, and composers who have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Honorary Committee of Pulitzer Prize Winners includes Edward Albee, David Auburn, Michael Cristofer, Nilo Cruz, Charles Fuller, Frank Gilroy, Sheldon Harnick, Beth Henley, Tom Kitt, James Lapine, Tracy Letts, David Lindsay-Abaire, Donald Margulies, Marsha Norman, Bruce Norris, Lynn Nottage, Robert Schenkkan, Stephen Sondheim, Alfred Uhry, Paula Vogel, Doug Wright, and Brian Yorkey.

Broadway playwrights and pals Charles Busch (The Tale of The Allergist's Wife) and Matthew Lombardo (Looped, High) are scheduled to speak at The A.R.T. / Moscow Art Theatre School Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University (Director, Scott Zigler) on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 1PM. This class is presented in association with the Learning From Performers program of the Office for the Arts at Harvard (Director, Thomas Lee).

Broadway luminary, Seth Rudetsky, returns to Chicago with his hilarious one-man-show Deconstructing Broadway, featuring video and audio clips of memorable and hilarious musical theater moments.

Two-Time Tony Nominee Alison Fraser and Jill Shackner join previously announced actress Alysia Reiner in A CHARITY CASE. This new play about adoption by Australian playwright and director Wendy Beckett, will open Wednesday, November 2nd at Off Broadway's Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street - between 9th and 10th Avenues). The play, which is also directed by Ms. Beckett, begins previews Friday, October 28th. The play is produced by Peter Walters for Pascal Productions. A CHARITY CASE is third in a series of Ms. Beckett's plays that Pascal Productions will produce in New York.

The Tale of the Allergist's Wife is a comedic exploration of the Upper West side life of Marjorie Taub - middle-aged and middle-class - her loving husband, Ira, and her daily routines at Zabar's and the 92nd Street 'Y.' Marjorie's mother lives down the hall obsessing constantly about her digestive tract; her beloved therapist has just died; and she loses it in a Disney store. Unexpectedly invading her depression is her flamboyant childhood friend Lee who becomes entrenched in the Taub household as a seemingly permanent guest, not only drawing Marjorie out of her dark mood, but affecting her marriage as well.

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Founder & Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) concludes its run of the critically acclaimed new play, Motherhood Out Loud, conceived by Susan R. Rose and Joan Stein

Last night, Joan Rivers hosted the book release party for Alan Shayne and Norman Sunshine's 'Double Life' at 21 Club. On hand to celebrate were A Little Night Music's Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Charles Busch, Larry Kramer and more.

A CHARITY CASE starring Two-Time Tony Nominee Alison Fraser, Alysia Reiner (Sideways) and Jill Shackner (Les Miserables) begins previews Friday, October 28th at The Clurman Theatre( 410 West 42nd Street- between 9th and 10th Avenues) .

The onetime Broadway musical It Girl is about to open in her 4th play off-Broadway this year.

The halls (of the Calderwood Pavilion) are alive with the sound of…laughter, generated by the SpeakEasy Stage production of Charles Busch's 'The Divine Sister.' Directed by Larry Coen, the New England premiere of the 2010 hit Off-Broadway comedy stars Jeffery Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman) and Boston favorites Paula Plum and Kathy St. George.

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Founder & Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) concludes its run of the critically acclaimed new play, Motherhood Out Loud, conceived by Susan R. Rose and Joan Stein

The fabulous Lypsinka, Tony Award-winner Alan Cumming (CABARET, 'The Good Wife'), and Tony nominees Alison Fraser (SECRET GARDEN, ROMANCE/ROMANCE) and Andrew Rannells (BOOK OF MORMON) all made appearances at Abingdon Theatre Company's 19th Annual Benefit Gala yesterday, October 24 at Espace, honoring Charles Busch, Julie Halston and Timothy P. Speiss. Beth Leavel, a Tony winner for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE emceed the gala. Carl Andress, who helmed Busch's THE DIVINE SISTER, THE THIRD STORY, DIE MOMMIE DIE! and SHANGHAI MOON, directed.

Broadway playwrights and pals Charles Busch (The Tale of The Allergist's Wife) and Matthew Lombardo (Looped, High) are scheduled to speak at The A.R.T. / Moscow Art Theatre School Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University (Director, Scott Zigler) on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 1PM. This class is presented in association with the Learning From Performers program of the Office for the Arts at Harvard (Director, Thomas Lee).

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, and DCA Theater in association with Project 891 Theatre Company.

The fabulous Lypsinka, Tony Award-winner Alan Cumming (CABARET, 'The Good Wife'), and Tony nominees Alison Fraser (SECRET GARDEN, ROMANCE/ROMANCE) and Andrew Rannells (BOOK OF MORMON) are set to appear at Abingdon Theatre Company's 19th Annual Benefit Gala on Monday, October 24 at Espace, honoring Charles Busch, Julie Halston and Timothy P. Speiss. Beth Leavel, a Tony winner for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE will emcee the gala. Carl Andress, who helmed Busch's THE DIVINE SISTER, THE THIRD STORY, DIE MOMMIE DIE! and SHANGHAI MOON, directs.