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The Confession of Lily Dare Revival 2020

Ages: 12+
Opened: January 1, 2020
Closing: March 31, 2020

The Confession of Lily Dare - 2020 Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Cherry Lane Theatre
38 Commerce St. (Bedford & Hudson Street) New York, NY 10014

We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our 35th anniversary than by presenting the newest work from one of our most frequent collaborators, legendary master of theatrical parody Charles Busch (best known to Primary Stages audiences from our productions of The Tribute Artist, Olive and the Bitter Herbs, and You Should Be So Lucky). Busch's newest play, The Confession of Lily Dare, tells the story of one woman’s tumultuous passage from convent girl to glittering cabaret chanteuse to infamous madame of a string of brothels—all while hiding her undying devotion to the child she was forced to abandon. Directed by Busch's long-time colleague Carl Andress (Who's Holiday, The Divine Sister), this comic melodrama celebrates the gauzy "confession film" tearjerkers of early 1930s pre-code cinema, such as The Sin of Madelon Claudet, Frisco Jenny, and Madame X.


The Confession of Lily Dare - 2020 - Off-Broadway Cast

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Photo Coverage: Primary Stages Celebrates Opening Night of THE CONFESSION OF LILY DARE
by Linda Lenzi - January 30, 2020


Primary Stages presents The Confession of Lily Dare, written by and starring Charles Busch (The Tribute Artist, You Should Be So Lucky) and directed by Carl Andress (The Divine Sister, The Tribute Artist). The cast also includes: Nancy Anderson (Sunset Boulevard), Christopher Borg (Judith of Bethulia), Howard McGillin (The Phantom of the Opera), Kendal Sparks (Judith of Bethulia) and Jennifer Van Dyck (Judith of Bethulia).

BWW Review: Charles Busch Sends Up Pre-Code 'Fallen Woman' Flicks With THE CONFESSION OF LILY DARE
by Michael Dale - January 30, 2020


Nowadays there appears to be an increasing awareness in the theatre about presenting women characters through the aesthetic of male playwrights and directors, much of it involving the movie term 'male gaze' which was coined by Laura Mulvey in the 70s to describe the disproportionately sexualized manner in which women were presented in film.  From that context, it's possible to conclude that this is what playwright/actor Charles Busch has been commenting on all along.

The Confession of Lily Dare History

Other Productions of The Confession of Lily Dare

2018   Off-Broadway Theater for the New City World Premiere
Off-Broadway
2020   Off-Broadway Primary Stages Off-Broadway Production
Off-Broadway

The Confession of Lily Dare - 2020 Off-Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2020 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Play Charles Busch
2020 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Costume Design for a Play Rachel Townsend
2020 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Scenic Design for a Play B.T. Whitehill
2020 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Costume Design Rachel Townsend
2020 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Jennifer Van Dyck

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