FEATURING:

(clockwise from upper left): Becky Niccum, Rob Scrimm,
Erin Harney-Siples, Terry McCaffrey, and Molly McCray.

THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE

by Charles Busch

• Winner: Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award

• Nominated: Tony Award (Best Play)

Show Dates: April 18-19, 25-26, and May 2-3

Produced with special arrangements from Samuel French

Directed by Brian H. Wagner

show sponsor:

Ron Venderly Foundation

PARENTAL ADVISORY: The Arena Dinner Theatre has rated this show as PG-13 due to adult language and adult situations.

An award winning hit at the Manhattan Theatre Club and on Broadway, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife is a radical departure for the well known author of extravagant spoofs like Vampire Lesbians of Sodom and Psycho Beach Party. Marjorie Taub, the wife of a philanthropic allergist, is engulfed in a life crisis of Medea-like proportions. Her children are grown, her beloved therapist died recently, and her bowel-obsessed mother incessantly needles her. She tries to lose herself in a world of art galleries, foreign films, and avant guard theatre, but finds she is barely able to rouse herself from her sofa. Her spirits suddenly soar when a fascinating and incredibly worldly friend from her childhood appears on her doorstep. Lee - the savior that infuses Marjorie with life - becomes Lee the unwelcome and sinister guest in short order.

What the Critics Said:

A window rattling comedy of mid life malaise. Mr. Busch has swum straight into the mainstream. The Allergist's Wife earns its wall to wall laughs.

- N.Y. Times

Charles Busch comes of age as a comic playwright of the first rank.

- N.Y. Daily News

An intelligently funny and satirically relevant uptown comedy.

- Herald-Tribune

Dinner Menu

Caesar Salad

Homemade Italian Lasagna

Bread Stick

Raspberry Poke Cake