Charles Busch News

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production began previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continued Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org. In LOOKING FOR THE PONY, a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts OUTSTANDING NEW AMERICAN PLAY finalist, Eloisa is finally ready to leave a lifeless career in finance to pursue a childhood dream when her sister Lauren is diagnosed with breast cancer. Lauren's perfect life and Eloisa's second chance collide as the sisters join forces to cure all that ails them. As funny as it is heart-breaking, LOOKING FOR THE PONY is a rollercoaster ride through treatment, ambition, loss and acceptance. This play was originally developed and produced by Vital Theatre Company as part of its VITAL SIGNS New Works Festival in 2002. '...the play condenses five years of personal history into ... raw, emotional theatre... I don't know of a more affecting (and effective) testament to the precious human spirit than this gorgeous, compact drama.' - nytheatre.com review of the original short play

Artistic Director, Brady Schwind announced full casting today for the Neighborhood Playhouse's West Coast Premiere production of Charles Busch's acclaimed new comedy, OUR LEADING LADY. The production opens the Neighborhood Playhouse's 2009 season, running February 19 - March 8. Reserved tickets are $22-34 and are available by calling 310.378.9353 or online at www.neighborhoodplayhouse.net A critical and audience hit in its initial run at New York's Manhattan Theatre Club, The Playhouse production marks the first major regional staging of this demanding and hilarious new comedy (from Charles Busch, the outrageous mind behind PSYCHO BEACH PARTY, SHANGHAI MOON and THE TALE OF THE ALERGIST'S WIFE) which gives whole new meaning to the quip: 'other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?...' April, 1865. The week the Civil War Ends, legendary actress Laura Keene has only one ambition. President Lincoln simply must attend her closing night performance at the Ford's Theatre! Her only obstacle - the hackneyed group of supporting players she's been saddled with. As Laura moves ruthlessly towards her goal, she and her theatrical troupe must face an inevitable collision with history. 'Hilarious, delicious fun,' cheered the New York Times of the original New York production. 'A testament to playwright Charles Bush's belief that theatre can and should reflect the human comedy at its most ridiculous and its most uplifting.'

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) has announced complete casting for the New York premiere of Shipwrecked!

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production begins previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org. In LOOKING FOR THE PONY, a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts OUTSTANDING NEW AMERICAN PLAY finalist, Eloisa is finally ready to leave a lifeless career in finance to pursue a childhood dream when her sister Lauren is diagnosed with breast cancer. Lauren's perfect life and Eloisa's second chance collide as the sisters join forces to cure all that ails them. As funny as it is heart-breaking, LOOKING FOR THE PONY is a rollercoaster ride through treatment, ambition, loss and acceptance. This play was originally developed and produced by Vital Theatre Company as part of its VITAL SIGNS New Works Festival in 2002.

Vital Theatre Company recently announced the rolling world premiere of Looking For The Pony by Andrea Lepcio, directed by Stephan Golux and featuring J. Smith-Cameron, Deidre O'Connell, Lori Funk and Debargo Sanyal. The production begins previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, Looking For The Pony will also be presented at Synchronicity Performance Group in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY has announced the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production previews on Wednesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 22nd at 7pm, and opens on Friday, January 23rd at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th.

Vital Theatre Company recently announced the rolling world premiere of Looking For The Pony by Andrea Lepcio, directed by Stephan Golux and featuring J. Smith-Cameron, Deidre O'Connell, Lori Funk and Debargo Sanyal. The production begins previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, Looking For The Pony will also be presented at Synchronicity Performance Group in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org.

The Tony Award-winning actress ELAINE STRITCH will honored for her 'achievements and humanity' at Theater for the New City's 6th annual LOVE 'N' COURAGE benefit for the theater's Emerging Playwrights Program, it has been announced by Crystal Field, Executive Artistic Director of Theater for the New City. Co-hosted by playwright and actor CHARLES BUSCH and actress JULIE HALSTON, this year's benefit will take place at the beautiful National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South), on Monday, February 9, with cocktails beginning at 6:30pm, followed by dinner and performances.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Jennifer Van Dyck, Scott Parkinson, Sarah Rafferty and Jonathan Walker will complete the cast for their production of Charles Busch's The Third Story, directed by Carl Andress. As previously announced Kathleen Turner and Mr. Busch will appear as dueling divas.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Kathleen Turner has been confirmed to star in their production of Charles Busch's The Third Story, directed by Carl Andress. Ms. Turner will appear opposite Mr. Busch, who was previously announced to play the other leading female role.

The American Conservatory Theater Master of Fine Arts Program presents Maxim Gorky's Philistines in a fresh new version by Andrew Upton, the co-artistic director of Australia's Sydney Theatre Company and an acclaimed adaptor of Russian plays.

Monday night's Broadway at Birdland saw a sea of theater glitterati, cheering the hilarious rantings of Julie Halston. The star of Hairspray, Gypsy, The Women, Twentieth Century, and founding member of Charles Busch's Theater-in-Limbo, decided, for one night only, to throw caution to the wind and just go crazy with new material, old material and of course new clothes! Our BWW cameras were there, of course, to catch all the fun!

Jim Caruso's Cast Party has announced that Broadway and television personality Julie Halston will appear at Manhattan's premier club Birdland (315 West 44th Street, NYC) on Monday, January 5 at 7pm. This concert is part of the Nightlife Award-winning concert series, Broadway at Birdland. Reservations are highly recommended by calling 212-581-3080 or by visiting www.birdlandjazz.com.

George Street Playhouse begins 2009 with its production of Donald Marguiles' Sight Unseen. When first presented in 1992, the play won the OBIE Award for Best New American Play, was nominated for a Drama Desk, and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. George Street Playhouse Artistic Director will helm the production, slated to run at the New Brunswick theatre January2020 - February 15, 2009. Matthew Arkin, last seen at GSP in their production of Theresa Rebeck's The Scene, leads an ensemble including Heidi Armbruster, Christopher Curry and Kathleen McNenny.

Atlantic Theater Company and Druid are proud to announce a four week extension of Martin McDonagh's hit dark comedy THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, which will now play through Sunday, March 1st, 2009 Off Broadway at Atlantic's Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street).

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY has announced the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production previews on Wednesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 22nd at 7pm, and opens on Friday, January 23rd at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th.

Arena Stage recently received news that an actor cast in a leading role of the upcoming production of Sweet Bird of Youth is no longer available. At the same time, Arena was presented with the opportunity to produce a pre-Broadway comedy about an American icon starring a four-time Emmy Award-winning actress. With the major artist no longer available to perform in Sweet Bird of Youth, the theater has decided to seize the limited-time opportunity to share Looped?starring Valerie Harper (Rhoda in The Mary Tyler Moore Show) as Tallulah Bankhead?with its audiences prior to the show's Broadway engagement.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) and Druid are proud to reteam in presenting Academy Award? winner and four-time Tony Award? nominee Martin McDonagh?s play THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, directed by Tony Award? winner Garry Hynes, following an acclaimed UK tour.