Award-Winning Actor Harvey Fierstein to Highlight Sixth Annual Milford Readers & Writers Festival

Harvey Fierstein, a four-time Tony Award winner, will discuss his legendary career and his new memoir “I Was Better Last Night” at the sixth annual Milford Readers & Writers Festival this weekend. “I Was Better Last Night” reveals never-before-told stories of his personal struggles and of his fabled career.

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.

He will be joined on stage by 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.” Individual tickets for this panel only are available at milfordreadersandwritersfestival.com as well as separate tickets for the private authors reception.

The festival will take place Sept. 22 to Sept. 24 at The Milford Theater & Performing Arts Center, located at 114 East Catharine Street. It opens on Friday evening, Sept. 22, with an evening of songs and conversation starring Amanda McBroom, called the greatest cabaret performer of her generation, who wrote “The Rose,” which was performed by Bette Midler.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Main Stage will feature three additional events:

“Rewriting Shakespeare — Should Books Be Revised To Reflect Social Change?” will feature 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” details Busch’s memoir, “Leading Lady,” which recounts an artist’s journey in the worlds of Off-Broadway, Broadway, and Hollywood. He will be interviewed by actor, director, and writer Dick Scanlan, known for “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and more.

“Vampires, Batman, Wytches, Oh My!” will see graphic novelist and comic book writer Scott Snyder talk about his career writing for major comic superheroes and his short stories and graphic novels in the fantasy and horror genre.

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 or ticket holders for this event only.

There will be more free events, book signings and conversations with authors at the Waterwheel Café and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Sunday, Sept. 24.

For more information about the festival and to purchase festival passes, individual tickets for the panels or tickets for the private authors reception only go to milfordreadersandwriters.com.