Harvey Fierstein to discuss memoir at Milford Readers & Writers Festival

The sixth annual Milford Readers & Writers Festival, scheduled for Sept. 22-24, has among its highlights the four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. He will be discussing his legendary career and his new memoir “I Was Better Last Night.”

The signature event takes place at the Milford Theater & Performing Arts Center, at 114 E. Catharine St., Milford, in Pike County.

Fierstein's memoir discusses never-before-told stories of his personal struggles and of his fabled career, the press releases states.

Fierstein authored Tony winners “Torch Song Trilogy” and “La Cage aux Folles” and won Tonys for his performances in “Torch Song Trilogy” and “Hairspray.” He also appeared in “Fiddler on the Roof,” “La Cage aux Folles,” “Gently Down the Stream,” and “A Catered Affair.” His film and TV appearances include “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “The Good Wife,” “Cheers” (Emmy-nominated) and many more.

Accompanying him on stage will be playwright, director, actor and author David Drake, best known as the author and original performer of the hit play “The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me.”

The festival opens Friday evening, Sept. 22, with songs and conversation starring Amanda McBroom, called the greatest cabaret performer of her generation. She exploded on the scene when Bette Midler performed “The Rose” written by Amanda.

Main Stage, Sept. 23

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Main Stage will feature these events, as listed in the press release:

• “Rewriting Shakespeare - Should Books Be Revised To Reflect Social Change?” A discussion on the shifting cultural norms that have prompted revising works by Roald Dahl, Ian Fleming and others. Editor and author Lenore Hart, who also writes as Elisabeth Graves, will moderate the discussion with journalist and author Rob Armstrong, and playwright, poet and author Dr. Rashidah Ismaili.

• “In Conversation with Leading Lady, Charles Busch.” Busch’s memoir, “Leading Lady,” is a poignant, anecdotal account of a talented artist’s journey in the worlds of Off-Broadway, Broadway and Hollywood. His play “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” received a Tony nod for Best Play. He will be interviewed by actor, director and writer Dick Scanlan, whose hits include “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and more.

• “Vampires, Batman, Wytches, Oh My!” Graphic novelist and comic book writer Scott Snyder will talk about his career writing for major comic superheroes and his short stories and graphic novels in the fantasy and horror genre. Discussion will include Scott’s horror classic series “Wytches,” for which he is co-writing an animated television series for Amazon Prime Video.

All Main Stage programs will include an opportunity for conversation between the authors and the audience.On Saturday evening, there will be a private reception for festival speakers, open only to festival pass-holders.

Free programs too

In addition to the ticketed events, there is a variety of free programs:

• Fantasy-themed science fiction panel “The Monsters That Make us” at the Pike County Public Library in Milford.

• Lindsay Barrett George, an award-winning children’s book writer and editor, will also be appearing at the library.

• Book signings and readings by authors at several venues around Milford.

For more information about the festival and to purchase festival passes, go to milfordreadersandwriters.com.

The Milford Readers & Writers Festival is a project of Pike Artworks, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organized by a group of community volunteers from the Upper Delaware River Valley region.

For more information, visit milfordreadersandwriters.com, the festival’s Facebook page at facebook.com/MRWFestival/ or Instagram page at instagram.com/mrwfestival.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Tony Award winner Fierstein will discuss career, memoir in Poconos