Leading Lady

A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy

By: Charles Busch

Narrated by: Charles Busch

The Tony Award-nominated writer of The Tale of the Allergist's Wife and the long-running hit Off-Broadway play Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, and a Sundance Festival award winner Charles Busch has created a unique place in the entertainment world as a playwright, LGBT icon, drag actor, director, and cabaret performer, with his extraordinary gift for both connecting with and channeling the leading ladies of show business.

Charles writes how ever since his mother's death when he was seven, he has sought out surrogate mothers in his life. In his teens, Charles moved to Manhattan to live with his Auntie Mame-like Aunt Lil, who encouraged Charles's talents and dreams, and eventually he discovered his gifts for writing plays and performing as a male actress.

Busch also shares his colorful and sometimes outlandish interactions with film and theatrical luminaries, including Joan Rivers, Angela Lansbury, Rosie O'Donnell, Claudette Colbert, Valerie Harper, Kim Novak, and many others.

Full of both humor and heart, Leading Lady is for fans of entertainment books as well as anyone who enjoys real-life stories of artists who break the mold, ditch the boundaries, and find their own unique way to sparkle.

©2023 Charles Busch (P)2023 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This joyful, upbeat, and witty memoir will likely capture the hearts of theater and movie buffs." —Kevin Howell, Library Journal

Great story, well preformed

It was great to hear this story. It is always good to find out a performer I have enjoyed is a nice person too.

A life filled with performances on and off the stage!

A well written memoir from a very talented performer. Filled with honesty,warmth and humour, which is exactly what one expects from Charles Busch! 👍🥂🌞

I waited until I saw Mr Busch had completed the audio version

The rich theatrical stories made better by the incomparable Mr Busch’s flawless delivery. I envy anyone who is about to start this amazing book.

A transporting memoir of a great talent.

A wonderful book beautifully read by the author, with deep insights into his creativity and a trip through historically important theatrical eras in our recent history. Listening to his colorfully illustrated tales and reflecting on the complicated relationships documented within only furthered my appreciation for the nuance and brilliance in the work of Charles Busch. A high recommend.

A delight from start to finish

If you’re a fan of Charles Busch, this memoir, read beautifully by Busch himself, does not disappoint.