The quality that makes Charles Busch a must-see performer is his sense of compassion. Over a diverse, 40-year career, his most important work has always involved putting on a dress and a fancy wig to create what has become a classy menagerie of doomed heroines. While his campy works are dotted with moments of raunch and outright silliness, Busch’s obvious affection and respect for the women he... Read more
Primary Stages continues its 35th Anniversary season with The Confession of Lily Dare, written by and starring Charles Busch and directed by Carl Andress.
Charles Busch collaborated with Primary Stages on previous productions of The Tribute Artist, Olive and the Bitter Herbs, and You Should Be So Lucky.
(Photos by Carol Rosegg)
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The Confession of Lily Dare Image and Video Gallery

The Confession of Lily Dare tells the story of one woman’s tumultuous passage from convent girl to glittering cabaret chanteuse to infamous madam of a string of brothels—all while hiding her undying devotion to the child she was forced to abandon. 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.