Julie Halston, Dan Butler & More Set for Charles Busch's Olive and the Bitter Herbs at Primary Stages

Julie Halston, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Dan Butler and Richard Masur will star in Primary Stages' forthcoming world premiere production of Charles Busch's Olive and the Bitter Herbs. The comedy will debut at 59E59 Theaters beginning July 26, with opening night set for August 16, directed by Mark Brokaw. The limited engagement is set to run through September 3. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

Olive and the Bitter Herbs follows the title character, a struggling, middle-aged actress (Kurtz) who believes she sees a ghost in her mirror. Olive suddenly finds herself hosting a Passover Seder for her eccentric neighbors who become interested in catching a glimpse of the spirit.

Halston appeared in Busch's recent comedy The Divine Sister. Her Broadway credits include Twentieth Century, Gypsy, Hairspray, The Women and The Man Who Came to Dinner. She has also appeared in off-Broadway's Chasing Manet, Strangers Knocking, White Chocolate, The Vagina Monologues and many of Busch's previous plays, including The Lady in Question, Psycho Beach Party and Times Square Angel.

Kurtz has appeared on Broadway in Taller Than a Dwarf, Execution of Justice and The Chinese and Dr. Fish. Her off-Broadway credits include Everett Beekin, Uncle Phillip's Coat, The Workroom, Time on Fire and When She Danced.

Butler's Broadway credits include Twentieth Century, Biloxi Blues and The Hothouse. His off-Broadway work includes The Irish Curse, Beast, Old Money, The Only Worse Thing You Could Have Told Me, The Lisbon Traviata, Emerald City and Waiting for Godot.

Masur's Broadway credits include Democracy and The Changing Room. His off-Broadway work includes Dust, Two Thousand Years, A Feminine Ending, The Ruby Sunrise and Sarah, Sarah.

The production will feature set design by Anna Louizos, costumes by Suzy Benzinger, lighting design by M.L. Geiger and original music by Lewis Flinn.