Charles Mee to Celebrate 80th Birthday With Benefit Performance of First Love

Playwright Charles Mee will be celebrating his 80th birthday with a special benefit performance of his new play First Love at Cherry Lane Theatre on Monday, June 11.

At this performance, New York City council speaker Corey Johnson will bestow Mee with an official New York City Proclamation for his contributions to American theater. A birthday bash will follow at Casa La Femme. The event will benefit Cherry Lane Theatre, supporting their ongoing development programs, including its Mentor Project.

First Love is described as follows: "A couple in their sixties meet and fall in love for the first time in their lives. Through the eyes of celebrated playwright Charles Mee, First Love embraces Edith and Harold as they work their way toward one another through the accumulated baggage of their lives, wondering if they can avoid sabotaging the last chance for love they'll ever have."

The three-member company includes Michael O'Keefe, Angelina Fiordellisi, and Taylor Harvey. Directed by Kim Weild, First Love features set design by Edward Pierce, costume design by Theresa Squire, lighting design by Paul Miller, and sound design by Christian Frederickson. Performances will begin on June 7 and run through July 8, with opening night set for June 14.