BOUFFANT BABY from page 80 .

debut in a revival of Grease, has
appeared in several feature films, includ-
ing Scary Movie and American Beauty.
(She's the burger emporium employee
who uttered the immortal line, "You are
so busted," to Kevin Spacey.)
The Westchester, N.Y., native has
also guest-starred in numerous televi-
sion shows, including Boston Public,
Dharma Greg and Felicity.
Fierstein, a native of Brooklyn, is
best known as writer and star of the
Tony Award landmark play Torch Song
Trilogy. Acting credits include the films

Mrs. Doubtfire, Bullets Over Broadway
and Independence Day, with TV guest
appearances on Ellen, Cheers, The
Simpsons and Murder, She Wrote.

NEW SEASON from page 81

ed by Twyla Tharp, it includes such hits
as "Just the Way You Are," "Uptown
Girl" and "We Didn't Start The Fire."
The show, which enjoyed a pre-
Broadway run in Chicago, features a
27-member cast.
Previews begin Sept. 30; opens Oct.
24, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre,
226 West 46th St. (212) 307-4100.

SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE

Long-lived comedian George Burns is
the subject of this new play written by
Rupert Holmes and starring Frank
Gorshin (The Riddler on TV's Batman).
The production is a guided tour
through an American century told
through the legendary comic. It goes
from Burns' impoverished youth on
the Lower East Side of New York City
to his career in vaudeville, marriage to
Gracie Allen and their success on
stage, screen, radio and TV.
Previews begin Sept. 17; opens Oct.
10, at the Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 --
West 44th St. (212) 239-6200.

THE FLOWER DRUM SONG

A revival of the Rodgers and
Hammerstein hit musical with a new
book by David Henry Hwang (M
Buttofly), this new version stars Lea
Salonga (Miss Saigon).
The story is about a girl, Mei-li,
who flees to America in the late 1950s
when her father, a Chinese opera mas-
ter, is persecuted by the Communist
government.
She finds work in a rundown opera
house, whose patriarch, Master Wang,
struggles to keep the old traditions
alive. Meanwhile, his American-born
son wants to turn the space into a

Marc Shaiman, who dropped out of
high school in the late 1970s to work
for singer Bette Midler, has won prais-
es as musical arranger and director, as
well as composer/lyricist. He is
responsible for such hits as The First
Wives Club, Sleepless in Seattle and The

wo. 4

%

.. '

American President.
It's no surprise that, after each per-
formance, the cast receives a standing
ovation. "Audiences love it," says
Stern. "And with a sterling Marc
Shaiman score, Hairspray the musical
works for everyone." ❑

Hairspray is playing at the Neil
Simon Theatre, 250 W 52nd St.,
in New York City. (212) 307-4100.

JOLSON & COMPANY

This Off-Broadway musical about the
life and career of legendary
entertainer/singer Al Jolson begins on
the stage of the Winter Garden Theater
in 1949 and flashes back to the colorful
life Jolson led both on and off stage.
Appearing in the title role is Stephen
Mo Hanan (born Stephen Hanan
Kaplan), who also co-wrote the play.
Like Jolson, he comes from an
Orthodox family background and has a
grandfather who was a cantor.
Currently in previews; opens Sept. 29,
at the Century Center for Performing-
Arts, 111 East 15th St. (212) 239-6200.

MY OLD LADY

This new off Broadway play by
Israel Horovitz (The Indian Wants The
Bronx, Sunshine) is about a man who
arrives in Paris intent on selling his
recently inherited apartment in the
hopes it will give him a new start on
life.
But he discovers the apartment
comes complete with perpetual tenants,
including a determined 90-year:old
woman and her headstrong daughter.
My Old Lady stars Peter Friedman

(Ragtime).
• Currently in previews; opens Oct. 3,
at the Promenade Theatre, 76th Street
and Broadway. (212) 239-6200.

4 /

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Visit- the Thai Restaurant that blends
atmospheric elegance with culinar 9

Featuring the 666

Western-style nightclub. Mei-Li falls in
love as the characters grapple with the
challenges of living in the New World.
Tony Award winner Natasha Katz,
wife of Detroit's Dan Schreier, is the
lighting designer.
Previews begin Sept. 23; show- opens
Oct. 17, at the Virginia Theatre, 245
West 52nd St. (212) 239-6200.

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