John Cameron Mitchell to Portray First Lady Laura Bush in Benefit Reading of New Kushner Play, Aug. 2

By Robert Simonson
August 2, 2004

If you were First Lady Laura Bush, what would make for worse news than that prototypal liberal playwright Tony Kushner has written a new play about you? Answer: That Hedwig and the Angry Inch's frequently cross-dressing star John Cameron Mitchell will play you in said play.

Mitchell will headline an Aug. 2 benefit reading of Kushner's Only We Who Guard the Mystery Shall Be Unhappy, the political play that has been read in bits and pieces on various stages in the past year or so. In it, First Lady Laura Bush—a former teacher—is shown reading a section of "The Brothers Karamazov" to the dead children of Iraq.

Patricia Clarkson ("Pieces of April," "The Station Agent") will co-star, playing an angel. Kristen Johnston will host the evening, which will be held at the American Airlines Theatre. The reading will benefit MoveOn.org, the political action group which, through a variety of high-profile initiatives. is vigorously fighting the re-election of George W. Bush.

Following the reading, Kushner, Johnston, Mitchell and Clarkson will take part in a roundtable discussion and audience Q&A. General admission tickets are $25 and may be purchased at www.boxofficetickets.com or by calling (800) 494-TIXS.