Dear Friend,


The story: Mitchell Howard does not believe in gay marriage. His partner, Daniel Bixby, does. Before they can resolve their difference of opinion, fate intervenes. This Off-Broadway hit explores the devastating consequences that can occur when fundamental rights are denied.  

The reading is directed by Stuart Meltzer, and features Alex Weisman as Daniel Bixby and Daniel Capote as Mitchell Howard – both making their PBD debuts – as well as Matthew W. Korinko, Laura Turnbull, and Kevin Veloz, another PBD newcomer. Bruce Linser reads the stage directions. Wednesday’s discussion is hosted by Gary Cadwallader, PBD director of education and community engagement, who will talk to Meltzer and attorney Elizabeth Schwartz, a nationally recognized advocate for the legal rights of the LGBTQ community. And remember that tonight at 7:30, Gary leads a discussion about The Code, speaking with Christopher Renshaw, who directed the reading, and Christy Andreoni, production director at the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission and a board member of Women in Television and Film – Florida.

For those of you who missed the interview McKeever did with Producing Artistic Director Bill Hayes, you can access it by clicking here. And we’ve got one more interview coming up on June 30 to conclude Pride Month, a prerecorded conversation between Bill and actor, playwright, cabaret artist, and drag icon Charles Busch, part of our Luminaries of Stage & Screen series.

We’re also delighted to announce that our popular Master Playwrights Series, an informative and entertaining program that provides in-depth looks at the lives and works of major playwrights, is returning this summer as an online initiative, with the focus on two beloved writers of the late twentieth century. The first of the two live Zoom presentations takes place on Wednesday, July 14 at 7:30pm, and showcases the life and career of Wendy Wasserstein. The second program, on Wednesday, August 4 at 7:30pm, is devoted to August Wilson. The presentations by Mark Perlberg will include scenes from Wasserstein’s and Wilson’s plays, read by professional actors. There will be a Q&A via Zoom at the conclusion of each program. 

Many of you are probably aware that Wasserstein and Wilson have been featured in the Master Playwrights Series previously. Bill and Mark chose to revisit these dramatists now because their personal journeys and their plays speak with great immediacy to this moment in time. “Given all we’ve been through as a society in the past few years, I think it’s likely that audiences will view these programs with fresh eyes and hear Wasserstein’s and Wilson’s words with fresh ears,” says Bill. “And we’re excited to be doing these presentations online, as we can reach a wider audience.”


As usual, tickets for all programs are free, but reservations are required for all of them (except the McKeever interview). You can reserve your tickets at www.palmbeachdramaworks.org or by calling the box office at 561.514.4042, x2. 

Please consider donating to PBD. With your support, we can continue to offer a variety of programs virtually and preserve our reserve funds as we await the return to our live, mainstage performances later in the year.

We look forward to seeing you in October. 
THE CODE
(Discussion June 16, 7:30pm)

Hosted by Gary Cadwallader, PBD Education and Community Engagement Director. Panelists include: Christopher Renshaw, director of The Code, and Christy Andreoni production director at the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission and a board member of Women in Television and Film - Florida.
DANIEL'S HUSBAND
(June 21, 7:30pm; Discussion June 23, 7:30pm
Mitchell Howard does not believe in gay marriage. His partner, Daniel Bixby, does. Before they can resolve their difference of opinion, fate intervenes. This Off-Broadway hit explores the devastating consequences that can occur when fundamental rights are denied.  
CHARLES BUSCH
JUNE 30
Charles Busch has forged a unique place in the world of entertainment as playwright, actor, director, novelist, cabaret performer and drag icon. He is the author and star of over 25 plays including The Divine Sister, The Lady in Question, Red Scare on Sunset, The Tribute Artist, The Confession of Lily Dare, and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, one of the longest running plays in the history of Off-Broadway. The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife (in which he did not appear) had a run of 777 performances on Broadway and received a Tony nomination for Best Play. He wrote and starred in the film versions of his plays Psycho Beach Party and Die Mommie Die, the latter of which won him the Best Performance Award at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2003, Busch received a special Drama Desk Award for career achievement as both performer and playwright. He is also the subject of the acclaimed documentary film The Lady in Question is Charles Busch. He is a two-time MAC Award winner and has performed his cabaret act in many cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, London, Paris, Barcelona, and New York. In the winter of 2016, his show The Lady at the Mic premiered at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series. His first CD, Charles Busch Live at Feinstein’s 54 Below, was released in 2016 by Broadway Records.