THIS YEAR, URBAN STAGES HONORS CHARLES BUSCH

Charles Busch is the author of The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, which ran nearly two years on Broadway and received a Tony Nomination for Best Play, and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, one of the longest-running plays in Off-Broadway history. He wrote and starred in the film versions of his plays Psycho Beach Party and Die, Mommie, Die!, the latter of which won him a special jury prize for outstanding performance at the Sundance Film Festival. Mr. Busch is the recipient of an Honorary Obie Award for career achievement as both performer and playwright and in 2024, he was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.

LUMINARY AWARD PRESENTED BY KENNETH LONERGAN

Kenneth Lonergan is an actor, playwright, screenwriter, and film director. He has received an Academy Award and a BAFTA, as well as nominations for three Golden Globe Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, a Laurence Olivier Award, and a Tony Award. His play, Lobby Hero, was produced Off-Broadway and later revived on Broadway. For his work on The Waverly Gallery, he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and received a Tony nomination. His film Manchester by the Sea won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay as well as a nomination for Best Director.

Also, Urban Stages Recognizes The Cast and Creators of THE PORCH ON WINDY HILL with ARTIST SPOTLIGHT AWARDS!

Tora Nogami Alexander (Performer)
Lisa Helmi Johanson (Co-writer)
David M. Lutken (Co-writer/Performer/Music Director)
Sherry Stregack Lutken (Co-writer/Director)
Morgan Morse (Co-writer/Performer)

THE PORCH ON WINDY HILL premiered (NY) at Urban Stages in the fall of 2025. Due to critical acclaim and popular demand, we brought back the production in early 2026 and extended it for two additional weeks. The Wall Street Journal called it “Deeply pleasurable and powerfully moving,” and it reached sold-out audiences throughout its extended run.

Tickets and Info

Join uS: The Players, 16 Gramercy Pk S, NYC 10003
When: Thurs, May 14, 2026, starting at 6:30pm
What to Expect: Raise a glass to an unforgettable evening—cocktails, performances, a standout auction,
and a celebration of an icon of stage and screen, and Urban Stages’ artists.

Theatre Friends Ticket | $600
Patron Ticket | $1200
Angel Ticket | $2000
Sponsor Table | $6000
Producer Table | $12000
Stage Hand (Under 30) | $250

Take a look at the auction items and experiences you can bid on and win at our benefit this year! Click Here.

What You Support When You Support Us:
Exciting new theater by artists ready to make their mark.
Over 500 free touring art programs in all 5 boroughs of NYC through our Outreach Program.
Multilingual and multicultural programming that reflects the diversity of NYC.
Art residencies in senior centers and communities.
A venue for musical artists.
A summer theater camp for aspiring young artists.
A NYC institution with an influence on art and theater that spans four decades!

Above $200 of each ticket is tax-deductible.
You will receive a contribution letter and recognition in our journal and programs at the level you choose to donate. All proceeds go to supporting Urban Stages’ programming!