A Cross-Dressing Judith of the Old Testament makes a bloody splash in NYC play

THE JEWISH WEEK | NEW YORK

Charles Busch as Judith of Bethulia in his gender-bending play.

She saved her people with an incredible feat of daring and determination. Judith of Bethulia’s seduction and beheading of the Assyrian general Holofernes has inspired paintings, films and countless other works of art. Now comes Charles Busch’s cross-dressing romp, “Judith of Bethulia” at the Theater for the New City, in which the biblical heroine, performed by the playwright, becomes a gleeful combination of Sarah Bernhardt, Mae West and a modern Jewish mother. The 10-member cast includes Jennifer Cody, Jennifer van Dyck, Mary Testa, Billy Wheelan and John Wojda. “Judith of Bethulia” runs through April 28 at the Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. [link]