Some of you children may not know or remember that before Harvey Fierstein was writing musical books for the likes of Kinky Boots and Newsies, before he was starring in Hairspray on Broadway, even before he was in Mrs. Doubtfire, he was known as the playwright of Torch Song Trilogy. And now, 35 years later, the play is set to return to New York.

Torch Song Trilogy tells the story of a gay Jewish man, Arnold Beckoff, who’s a drag performer navigating love, loss, homophobia, violence, family, throughout the years. Like a gay, Jewish Lin-Manuel Miranda, Fierstein starred in his own play when it opened on Broadway, back in 1982 (the cast also included Jewish actor Estelle Getty, aka Sophia on Golden Girls, as Arnold’s mother). Unlike Lin-Manuel (sorry, Lin), Fierstein won the Tony for Best Actor, in addition to one for Best Play. There was also a film adaptation in 1988, with Fierstein and a baby Matthew Broderick as his lover, just two years after Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Starring in this production will be Michael Urie, and directing is Jewish-Venezuelan dramatist Moisés Kaufman.

The production will begin performances September 26 for a late October opening at the Tony Kiser Theatre, an off-Broadway house. So get out there and educate thyself. It’s like four hours, but it’s worth it.

Photo from Torch Song Trilogy.

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Here’s the news to brighten up your gloomy Tuesday: Bette Midler is starring as the one and only Mae West in Mae West, the story of the groundbreaking actress, singer, playwright, and sex symbol. William Friedkin and Jerry Weintraub are executive producers. While Harvey Fierstein is penning the script (of course).

The film is based on West’s autobiography, Goodness Had Nothing To Do With It, which chronicles her rise to fame, all while battling obscenity charges for her provocative work. Deadline reports:

Midler’s career path resembles that of West — she too made a name for herself onstage in New York (she made her Broadway debut in the chorus of Fiddler On The Roof) before segueing to features in her 30s for a successful movie career, which has earned her two Oscar nominations. Midler just started a three-week engagement at the Geffen Playhouse of I’ll Eat You Last after a successful Broadway run. Midler has been earning strong reviews for her portrayal of larger-than-life Hollywood agent Sue Mengers in the one-person play written by John Logan and directed by Joe Mantello.

Watch some of West’s best moments, and visualize Midler perfectly in the role:

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