Andy Halliday: Remembering a Versatile Stage Talent

Andy Halliday, an accomplished actor and playwright, charmed audiences with his remarkable ability to entertain on stage. Renowned for his contributions to Charles Busch’s Theater in Limbo, Halliday was especially celebrated for his performances in the iconic play “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom,” a significant piece of Off-Broadway history. Halliday passed away on May 5 in Palm Springs, California at the age of 73, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease, as reported by his sister, Susan Cohen.

Playwright Paul Rudnick described Halliday as ‘irresistible and helplessly funny,’ comparing his talent to that of Carol Burnett and Imogene Coca. Interestingly, Halliday’s original ambition was to pursue a career in dance. He and Charles Busch, who later became lifelong friends and collaborators, first met at a theater camp in New Hampshire. Despite Busch’s challenging experience with a dance routine in their performance of ‘Gypsy,’ Halliday’s patience and perseverance helped him excel.

Halliday’s relationship with Busch led to a pivotal moment in 1984. Busch was given a chance to stage a show for two nights at the Limbo Lounge in New York’s Alphabet City. This opportunity marked the birth of their unique productions at Theater in Limbo, bringing Halliday’s talent to a wider audience and cementing his status as a staple in the Off-Broadway scene.