SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONSPOTLIGHTONFALLBELLA BELLA
AnMTCproductionatNewYorkCityCenterStageI 131 West55thStreet bellabellaplay.comHarvey Fierstein Returns to the Stage
THIS FALL, four-time TonyAward® winner
Harvey Fierstein makes a thrilling return
to the stage in Manhattan Theatre
Club’s world premiere of Bella Bella, a play
he’s written and will be performing at
New York City Center Stage I. In his
inimitable way, Fierstein portrays New
York City’s very own political fi rebrand,
Bella Abzug, in this raucous and heart-
rending new solo
work, directed by
Kimberly Senior
(The Niceties).
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, groundbreaking icon
squirreled away in the bathroom of a
midtown hotel awaiting that night’s
election results while a coterie of
family and celebrities await her
entrance.
Bella Abzug was known for many
things: her tenacious spirit, her truth-
slinging attitude and, of course,
her hats.And who better to bring this powerful
fi gure to life on stage than Fierstein, who
burst onto the scene with Torch Song
Trilogy, the landmark play he starred in
and wrote. He has gone on to create many
unforgettable characters, including Edna
Turnblad in Hairspray, and has written the
books to such heralded musicals as Kinky
Boots, A Catered Aff air and La Cage aux
Folles. Fierstein has also penned numerous
dazzling plays, including Casa Valentina,
also produced by MTC.
Previews begin October 1.Photo: Ashton Worthington Photography