A fond tribute to Douglas Beane's grass roots theatre past

Two-time Grammy and Tony Award-winner Patti LuPone is no stranger to the ins and outs of the theatre business, making her perfect choice for the starring role in Douglas Carter Beane's new off-Broadway comedy. The fiery actress and singer trained as a dancer in her youth, later attending Juilliard when her passions turned to acting. The bright lights of Broadway were soon calling and LuPone became the reigning queen of the Broadway Musical scene. With her defining lead role as Evita in 1979 came her first Tony win.

Douglas Carter Beane is a celebrated playwright and screenwriter known for the screenplay for To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and the Tony Award-nominated 2007 play The Little Dog Laughed. His passion for theatre shines through in Shows For Days, an autobiographical take on his own beginnings in the world of stage. The writer is also currently the artistic director of the avant-garde theatre company The Drama Dept.

Casting also includes Michael Urie of Ugly Betty fame, taking on the role of Beane's alter-ego Car, as well as Dale Soules, last seen in the latest season of Orange is the New Black.

WHAT IS SHOWS FOR DAYS ABOUT?

Staged at the intimate and historic Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre, Shows For Days is a fond look back at Beane's early days, with 14-year old lead character and narrator Car a reincarnation of his younger self in Reading, Pennsylvania, 1973. Car gets bitten by the theatre bug after being introduced to his local community theatre and the host of colourful characters that call it home, including Irene, the theatre's fierce, indefatigable leader.