Manhattan Theatre Club announces 3 world premieres, including Harvey Fierstein's Bella Bella

MTC presents the world premieres of Bella Bella, The Perplexed, and The Best We Could (a family tragedy) at New York City Center.

Four-time Tony Award-winning Broadway favorite Harvey Fierstein will return to the New York stage this fall to star in his self-penned solo show Bella Bella, as Manhattan Theatre Club announces details of three upcoming world premieres to be staged at its off-Broadway home inside New York City Center.

Mr. Fierstein last appeared on the New York stage in the Public Theater's 2017 production of Gently Down the Stream. As an actor, he has won Tony Awards for his performances in Hairspray (2003) and Torch Song Trilogy (1983) and has also appeared on the Broadway stage in La Cage aux Folles, A Catered Affair, Fiddler on the Roof, and Safe Sex. As a writer, he has won Tony Awards for Torch Song Trilogy and for writing the book of La Cage aux Folles, and earned Tony nominations for Casa Valentina, for the book of Kinky Boots, and for the book of Disney's Newsies.

Full details for the newly announced productions are as follows:

The world premiere of Bella Bella will be directed by Kimberly Senior and is scheduled to begin previews at New York City Center's Stage I on October 1, 2019, ahead of an official opening on October 22.

Synopsis: "Four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein takes on New York City's very own political firebrand, Bella Abzug, in his new raucous, heart-rending and absurdly humorous solo show. Set in 1976, on the eve of her bid to become New York State's first female Senator, Bella Bella finds this larger-than-life, truth-slinging, groundbreaking, hat-wearing icon squirreled away in the bathroom of a midtown hotel awaiting that night's election results while a coterie of family and celebs await her entrance."

Next up at Stage I, MTC presents the world premiere of The Perplexed, written by Tony Award winner Richard Greenberg and helmed by MTC's Artistic Director Lynne Meadow. Previews are set to begin on February 11, 2020, with an official opening on March 3.

Synopsis: "Two families, whose lives have been tumultuously intertwined for decades, gather in the massive library of a gaudy Fifth Avenue apartment to celebrate the nuptials of their children. Nothing goes smoothly and as the big moment approaches, the burning question is: can everyone put aside long-smoldering jealousies and deep-seated grudges and just get through the ceremony?"

Playwright Richard Greenberg and director Lynne Meadow previously collaborated on Our Mother's Brief Affair in 2015/16 and The Assembled Parties in 2013.

Finally, MTC presents the world premiere of Emily Feldman's The Best We Could (a family tragedy), directed by Daniel Aukin, which is set to begin previews at New York City Center's Stage II on May 5, 2020, ahead of an official opening on May 19.

Synopsis: "The Best We Could is a funny, wise, and heartbreaking tale about a daughter's road trip with her father that becomes a theatrical journey across more than just state lines."

Casting for The Perplexed and The Best We Could (a family tragedy), as well as creative team information for all three world premiere productions will be announced at a later date.

^{(Photo by Joan Marcus)}