Charles Busch Discusses Our Leading Lady on On Stage

Our Leading Lady Playwright Charles Busch will be a featured guest on this weekend's edition of NY1's "On Stage."

Busch sat down with NY1 correspondent Patrick Pacheco about the world premiere production Our Leading Lady which recently opened to critical acclaim at MTC at New York City Center – Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

"On Stage" airs Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., and again from 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. It also airs Mondays from 9:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., and that same night from 12:30 a.m – 1:00 a.m.

The play features (in alphabetical order): Reed Birney (Gavin DeChamblay), Barbara Bryne (Maude Bentley), Maxwell Caulfield (Harry Hawk), Ann Duquesnay (Madame Wu-Chan), J.R. Horne (Major Hopwood), Kate Mulgrew (Laura Keene), Kristine Nielsen (Verbena Morris), Amy Rutberg (Clementine Smith), and Billy Wheelan (W.J. Ferguson).

Charles Busch (The Tale of the Allergist's Wife) "returns to Manhattan Theatre Club with a truly original play about the theatre. Laura Keene (Mulgrew), a 19th century American stage luminary, prepares to perform at Ford's Theatre on the fateful night when Abraham Lincoln is in the audience. This new play captures the magic of the theatre as only Charles Busch can. Directing is MTC's Lynne Meadow, who staged the hit production of The Tale of the Allergist's Wife which subsequently transferred to Broadway and had a celebrated run at the Barrymore Theatre," state press notes.

The design team features: Santo Loquasto (Set Design), Jane Greenwood (Costume Design), Brian MacDevitt (Lighting Design), and Scott Lehrer (Sound Design).

The show plays: Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 PM. Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday at Sunday at 2:30 PM.

Tickets are $50 and can be reserved by calling CityTix at (212) 581-1212. Group and student rates are available. For Manhattan Theatre Club season subscriptions, call (212) 399-3030. For group ticket information, call (212) 399-3000 x 134. Student tickets are $25 and are on sale for all performances based on availability on the day of the performance, up to one hour before showtime.  Call (212) 581-1212 for further information. MTC at New York City Center is accessible to people with disabilities and is equipped with a hearing augmentation system. Visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com for more information.

Photo of Charles Busch by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.