Birth Place: New York City, New York, USA
Charles Busch is the author and star of such plays as Psycho Beach Party, Times Square Angel, The Lady in Question, Red Scare on Sunset, You Should Be So Lucky, Queen Amarantha and Shanghai Moon. His play Vampire Lesbians of Sodom ran five years in New York and is one of the longest running plays in Off-Broadway history. In 1988, he wrote a new libretto for the 1955 musical "Ankles Aweigh" for Goodspeed Opera and has also adapted the book of the Truman Capote/Harold Arlen musical "House of Flowers" for a tour with Patti Labelle. On film, he's appeared in "Addams Family Values", "It Could Happen To You" and "Trouble on The Corner." He wrote the screenplay and starred in the film version of his play "Psycho Beach Party", which is available on video and DVD. In June of 1994, Mr. Busch starred in "Charles Busch's `Dressing Up', a one night sold out extravaganza at Town Hall featuring guest stars Milton Berle, Beatrice Arthur and the late Charles Pierce. In 1995, he co-authored and appeared in a critically acclaimed run in the Off-Broadway musical "Swingtime Canteen." 1997 saw him performing his one man show "Flipping My Wig" at the WPA Theatre and writing the book for the musical "The Green Heart" which was produced by Manhattan Theatre Club at the Variety Arts Theatre. During this time, Mr. Busch starred as the fabulous Mame Dennis in a memorable staged reading of "Auntie Mame" at the American Place Theatre along with Marcia Lewis, Kelly Bishop, Maxwell Caulfield, Juliet Mills, Barbara Feldon, John Davidson and the late Peggy Cass recreating her original role of Agnes Gooch. In the summer of 2004 he once again played Mame in a full production at Maine's Ogunquit Playhouse and at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, New York. In 2000, Manhattan Theatre Club produced his play "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife" starring Linda Lavin, Tony Roberts and Michele Lee. It was nominated for a Drama Desk for best play and won Mr. Busch the Outer Critic's Circle John Gassner Award for Playwriting. It reopened on Broadway in November, 2001, was nominated for a Tony Award as Best Play and ran 777 performances. He starred in the film version of his play "Die Mommie Die" for which he won a 2003 Sundance Film Festival award for best performance. In the winter of 2003, Charles starred in a new production of his play "Shanghai Moon" for which he was nominated for a Lucille Lortel award and a Drama League Award. He was also given a special award for career achievement at the 2003 Drama Desk Awards. For two seasons he appeared as Nat Ginzburg in the HBO series "Oz". In 2004, Charles wrote the book to the Broadway musical Taboo. His first novel "Whores of Lost Atlantis" was published in hardcover by Hyperion Press and released as a Penguin paperback and republished in May 2005 by Caroll & Graf. In April, 2005 Charles reunited with his long-time stage partner, Julie Halston, for a Gala Benefit for the Actor's Fund of America at Broadway's Music Box theatre, entitled Charles Busch and Julie Halston, Together on Broadway. The evening featured the 20th Anniversary performance of Vampire Lesbians of Sodom. Mr. Busch made his directorial debut with the film A Very Serious Person, which premiered at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival, where it won an honorable mention. He directed L.A. Theaterworks' radio production of The Tale of the Allergists' Wife starring JoBeth Williams, Richard Kind and Amy Aquino. He appeared as a guest artist in the off-Broadway play Spalding Gray Stories Left to Tell. His play Our Leading Lady was presented by Manhattan Theatre Club in 2007 and starred Kate Mulgrew as the 19th century actress Laura Keene. He performed in a revival of his 1989 play The Lady in Question with Julie Halston at The Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor New York in August 2007. The New York stage premiere of Die Mommie Die opened at The New World Stages for a limited engagement in 2007-2008 with Charles reprising his role of Angela Arden. His latest play The Third Story will have its premiere at the LaJolla Playhouse during its 2008-2009 season. He is also the subject of the documentary film The Lady in Question is Charles Busch. Mr. Busch graduated from Northwestern University and is a member of the Dramatist's Guild.
From: Photos: MISALLIANCE Kicks off Gingold Theatrical Group's 18th Season of Project Shaw
From: Photo Flash: Broadway All-Stars Prep for Tonight's Performance on NBC's MAYA & MARTY
Charles Busch, The Confession of Lily Dare
Charles Busch
Charles Busch, The Divine Sister
Charles Busch
Charles Busch, Shanghai Moon
Charles Busch, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife
Charles Busch, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife
Charles Busch, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife
A sneak peek reading of the comedy 'David and Goliath!' will take place at the new Asylum NYC on Monday, May 20th at 7pm.
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Southampton Arts Center will present TRU by Jay Pressor Allen, directed by Will Pomerantz, and starring Patrick Christiano.
Out Front Theatre Company in Georgia, the state's only LGBTQIA+ professional theatre group, will wrap up their eighth season with Charles Busch's PSYCHO BEACH PARTY.
Pascale Roger-McKeever will present the one-woman show Fingers & Spoons at SoHo Playhouse. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
Mason Holdings will present the world premiere of Small Acts of Daring Invention, a theatrical exploration of the real and unreal inspired by the life and work of Dare Wright, author of the children's book series The Lonely Doll. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Experience a nostalgic trip to vintage Hollywood in the premiere of PULP at Island City Stage, South Florida from April 11 to May 5.
Ibsen's Ghost is now playing at 59E59’s Theater A. The production officially opened last night, March 14 for a limited run through April 14. Check out opening night photos here!
Broadway Podcast Network introduces a new podcast, THE DRAMA BOOK SHOW! Tune in for engaging discussions on drama literature and insightful interviews with industry professionals.
Second Stage Theater has revealed the complete cast for the world premiere production of a new play by Alexis Scheer, BREAKING THE STORY. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Get a first look at photos of Ibsen's Ghost Off-Broadway. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
The Fabulous Invalid has announced that Messy White Gays, a new play written by Drew Droege, will have a four performance public reading at the SoHo Playhouse.
Explore the 2024 Fresh Ink Reading Series and Playwriting Cohort announced by Primary Stages. Discover new talents and upcoming plays in the world of Broadway.
In this new episode of “THEATER: All the Moving Parts”, Stars Kelli O'Hara and Brian d'Arcy James, and composer/lyricist Adam Guettel discuss the bold and provocative new musical “Days of Wine and Roses” about love and alcoholism, based on the 1962 Blake Edwards film classic.
Ibsen's Ghost: An Irresponsible Biographical Fantasy, a new play written by and starring Charles Busch, will open at 59E59 Theaters. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
Open Fist Theatre Company will present the world premiere of A Froggy Becomes, written by Becky Wahlstrom and directed by Pat Towne, opening March 9 and running through April 13 at Atwater Village Theatre.
L.A. Theatre Works will tour a newly re-imagined production of A Weekend with Pablo Picasso, written and performed by Herbert Sigüenza. See if A Weekend with Pablo Picasso is coming to your city, and learn how to purchase tickets.
Manhattan Theatre Club has announced the lineup for the 2024 Ted Snowdon Reading Series.
The Primary Stages Board has appointed Erin Daley as Artistic Director of Primary Stages, following a thorough process begun last year.
Are you ready for some good laughs and great entertainment? That’s just what you’ll find at George Street Playhouse (GSP) with their current production of Ibsen’s Ghost.
Charles Busch has written 24 shows including Sleeping Beauty or Coma (Playwright), Vampire Lesbians of Sodom (Playwright), Times Square Angel (Playwright), Psycho Beach Party (Playwright), The Lady in Question (Playwright), Red Scare on Sunset (Playwright), You Should Be So Lucky (Playwright), Swingtime Canteen (Bookwriter), Flipping My Wig (Playwright), The Green Heart (Bookwriter), Queen Amarantha (Playwright), The Tale of the Allergist's Wife (Playwright), The Tale Of The Allergist's Wife (Playwright), Taboo (Bookwriter), Shanghai Moon (Playwright), Our Leading Lady (Playwright), Die Mommie Die! (Playwright), Die Mommie Die! (Playwright), The Third Story (Playwright), The Divine Sister (Playwright), Olive and the Bitter Herbs (Playwright), Bunnicula (Bookwriter), The Tribute Artist (Playwright), The Confession of Lily Dare (Playwright).
Charles Busch has been nominated for several awards including Outstanding Actor in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Confession of Lily Dare" and "The Divine Sister," a Legend of Off Broadway Award, Outstanding Lead Actor at The Lortels for "Shanghai Moon," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife," Outstanding New Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife," and the John Gassner Playwriting Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife."
Charles Busch has won the Legend of Off Broadway Award, Special Awards from the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding New Play from the Drama Desk Awards for The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, and the John Gassner Playwriting Award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Tale of the Allergist's Wife.
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