Award-winning playwright Charles Busch, who penned Charlotte Players’ May offering, You Should Be So Lucky, is also an actor, screenwriter and female impersonator. He is known for his appearances on stage, film and television.
If you’re not familiar with Busch, a couple of his other play titles might give you an idea of where he’s coming from: Vampire Lesbians of Sodom and Psycho Beach Party. Both are considered classics by audiences and critics alike.
“I have always believed that every individual we encounter in our lives is sent for the purpose of helping us become a better person,” said Diane Messina, who is directing You Should Be So Lucky. “An unconventional storyteller, Charles Busch captures this philosophy with unusual friendships, quirky antics and unexpected events.”
All eyes are on Mr. Rosenberg’s embittered daughter Lenore (Sandi Wood) as she addresses, from left, Christopher (William Olson), Polly (Christine Ammend), Wanda (Jacquie Engle), and Walter (Shawn Watkins-Yates). Photo by Stephen Lineberry.
The play has been described as a contemporary Cinderella story set in Greenwich Village and reminiscent of the classic screwball comedies of the 1930s. Christopher, a shy and eccentric young electrologist, helps an elderly millionaire, Seymour Rosenberg, when the old man faints in the street.
Rosenberg, touched by the young man’s generous spirit, becomes his benefactor and sends Christopher off to a fabulous charity ball where he meets his Prince Charming, in the form of a neurotic young publicist named Walter. Fate takes a turn when Rosenberg dies suddenly of a heart attack in Christopher’s electrologist chair and leaves half of his millions to Christopher.
The other half of the estate goes to Rosenberg’s fiercely embittered daughter, Lenore, who threatens to contest the will. Christopher doesn’t stand a chance against the suburban matron from hell until Rosenberg shows up as a ghost, seen only by Christopher. Christopher and Lenore plead their case on an Oprah Winfrey-like show hosted by Wanda Wilson.
Audiences only have seven opportunities to see You Should Be So Lucky, which opens at the Langdon Playhouse in Port Charlotte at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 14. There are four other evening performances and 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday, May 16 and 23. Tickets are $22 for adults and $11 for students and may be ordered at www.charlotteplayers.org or by calling 941-255-1022 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Langdon Playhouse is located at 1182 Market Circle.
