When LA Theatre Works presents their radio plays in front of a live audience they don’t often utilize costumes. However, one wonders if an exception might be made when Charles Busch performs his classic comedy Die Mommie Die this weekend at the James Bridges Theatre at UCLA. The performances are Friday-Sunday.
If you aren’t familiar with the play, Busch plays Angela Arden, a movie star on the decline who wants to get out of her horrible marriage to Sol Sussman (Willie Garson) and hopes to return some luster to her faded glory. Her daughter, Edith (Ellis Greer), is convinced her mother is behind the sudden death of her father and will stop at nothing to get the truth.
There is another character worth mentioning. Bootsie, the maid who is in love with Sol. That role was originally written by Busch for his friend and frequent co-star Ruth Williamson. She has never played the part and these performances mark the first time Busch’s vision for Bootsie will be realized by the actress he had in mind while writing the play.
Mark Capri, who was a member of the original cast of Die Mommie Die returns to the role of well-endowed tennis pro Tony Park, a man who has yet to meet someone he can’t seduce.
Die Mommie Die is directed by Carl Andress. Like all LATW performances, each performance is recorded and they are all edited together so the performances can be distributed worldwide for radio broadcast, digital download, streaming and CD purchase.
Like many of Busch’s plays, any knowledge you have of great femme fatale movies from the 30s to the 50s will enhance your enjoyment of the show. However, Die Mommie Die is impossible to not enjoy. So lacking that familiarity will not be a hindrance at all.
This is comedy for the entire family – regardless of how you define “family.”
For tickets go here.