Andy Halliday: A Talent Remembered

Andy Halliday, an actor and playwright known for his unique comic timing and expressive face, passed away on May 5 in Palm Springs, California. He was 73 years old. Halliday’s sister, Susan Cohen, confirmed that complications from Parkinson’s disease led to his death.

Halliday gained recognition as a cherished member of Charles Busch’s Theater in Limbo repertory company. This group produced the camp classic ‘Vampire Lesbians of Sodom,’ renowned as one of the longest-running plays off-Broadway. Paul Rudnick, a prominent playwright and screenwriter, described Halliday as an irresistible talent who was ‘helplessly funny, like a combination of Carol Burnett and Imogene Coca.’

Despite his success in comedy, Halliday initially aspired to be a dancer. His friendship with Charles Busch began during their teenage years at a theater camp in New Hampshire, where they were cast in the musical ‘Gypsy.’ Halliday’s commitment to mastering a challenging tap number at the camp helped cement their friendship.

In 1984, more than a decade after their camp experience, Busch was given an impromptu opportunity at the Limbo Lounge in Manhattan. He decided to seize it despite not having a ready production. This opportunity became a pivotal moment in their careers, marking the beginning of what would become a significant contribution to the off-Broadway theater scene.