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John Doyle: Harvey, why A Catered Affair? What made you feel it was a really important show for now?

Harvey Fierstein: Movies and television are no longer about real people. They have nothing to do with my life at all, and what I care about.  In theatre we talk about the human condition. Paddy Chayevsky wrote about people who live their lives not quite fully. He saw this humanity, and I felt it could be taken to the next level. This woman has been married to a man for 26 years, she had a passion for him, she loves him, and she has no idea that he’s as in love with her as he is, because they never talk about it. To watch that blossom on the stage, to watch this woman, who says, “So I lie in bed, next to a silent man, with a constant ache,” and then realize there was no reason for lying there silently for 26 years because this man has always loved me, makes me feel alive. That’s why.

Doyle: Faith, you are known for playing [roles like] Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, and Mrs. Anna in The King and I.  Now here you are playing a woman called Aggie Hurley, which is not something you’d expect in a musical theatre role. Share with us about why you were attracted to her.

Faith Prince: If you get exposed to the public like Miss Adelaide in a big hit, people start to identify with you with that personality, even though I tried to shake it up after that and do different things. The thing that really struck me about Aggie Hurley was the things we stuff in our life, that we don’t deal with, because maybe we can’t, because we’re too busy feeding other people or washing their clothes or just getting through life. Then [something] triggers the dominoes that fall, and suddenly it just all comes tumbling down. I could really relate to this story. I saw my grandmother, I saw my mother [in the story].

Fierstein: Mr. Doyle, when started on the show, the first thing you said to me was, “I want to do it cinematically.” But you also said that you wanted to do it very, very realistically. If Faith was going to be cooking a fish dinner there would be a real fish.

Here we have what could be called a “kitchen-sink” musical.  These people have got to be in a very real situation. But what’s most important is the way they interact emotionally, and how you tell that dramatically and theatrically. Faith did gut a fish at one rehearsal. She said to me, “We have to do this?” I said, “Yes, you do.  Today.  Let’s see

what happens.”  I find it very moving that a woman hears her daughter sing to her “I’m going to get married, I’m leaving here” and she’s cooking scrambled eggs at the same time. That’s how it is, isn’t it?
 
Harvey, you’re in the room all the time serving two functions [performer and writer]. How is that for you?

Fierstein: I started in community theatre when I was 14.  It’s been my whole life so I’m used to collaboration. It is hard to be a writer in the room and hear actors say, “My character wouldn’t say that.” I always want to say, “Then you’re playing the wrong character, ‘cause this one does.” But you do have to listen to them, to at least see if they have a point.  Sometimes they actually do.  Then you cajole them into getting to say what it is you want. It’s a matter of trust.

Get Tickets to A Catered Affair

Complete Cast and Credits for A Catered Affair

Final Rent Performance to Be Filmed - Sony Pictures announced the filming of the final performance of Rent, which takes place on September 7 as part of a program called “The Hot Ticket.” The program will display special concerts and performing arts events in select movie theatres.

13 Moves from Connecticut to Broadway - Jason Robert Brown’s new musical 13 will begin a run at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in September.  The high-energy, coming of age musical from the composer/lyricist of The Last Five Years and Parade recently played at the Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, CT.

Broadway Bares It All (for a good cause)
In a hotly anticipated annual event that combines the naughtiness of burlesque and the razzle-dazzle of Broadway, the hottest male and female dancers on Broadway strut their stuff to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.   The event takes place in Manhattan on Sunday, June 22.
Click here for more info.

Broadway on Screen
The current Broadway cast of Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof will reprise their roles in a new film version of the play.  Also, Danny Glover begins filming a version of “Master Harold”…and the Boys this summer.  He appeared in both of the Broadway productions of Athol Fugard’s anti-Apartheid drama, in 1982 and 2003.

Afternoon Delight
The Broadway production of A Catered Affair will begin playing an unusual schedule this summer: four matinees a week (Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays).

Broadway on the Diamonds
The Broadway Show League’s annual softball season is now underway in New York’s Central Park.  Sponsored by Michelob Ultra, the League fields teams from Broadway and Off Broadway shows, as well as theatrical unions and other organizations throughout the summer. For standings, visit the League’s website. Click here for more info.

• Robert Foxworth, Estelle Parsons, Molly Regan, and Frank Wood join the company of August: Osage County this month.
• Jayne Houdyshell is Madame Morrible in Wicked, beginning June 12. 
• Sam Robards takes over the lead role of The 39 Steps in July. 
• Stephen Collins and Drew Lachey join the cast of Monty Python’s Spamalot on June 24 as King Arthur and Patsy, respectively.