NEWS RELEASE — Benefit Performances of “THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES” — Atwater Village Theatre — April 30, May 1, 6, and 7

All-Star Cast Will Perform
The Vagina Monologues
to Benefit V-Day and Protect.org
Popular LATalkRadio Host Sheena Metal
Directs the Eve Ensler Play
at the Atwater Village Theatre
Four Performances Only
April 30 / May 1, 6 & 7

A who’s who of film and television stars will perform Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues in an intimate theatrical setting for four benefit performances only on April 30, May 1, 6 & 7 at 8pm, at the Atwater Village Theatre in Los Angeles. Produced and directed by Sheena Metal for Ensemble Studio Theatre Los Angeles, all proceeds will benefit V-Day (vday.org), A Global Movement to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and protect.org, a national pro-child, anti-crime association committed to building a powerful, nonpartisan force for the protection of children from abuse, exploitation and neglect.

Each evening will feature a different group of performers. Among the long list of luminous actors are (in alphabetical order) Alison Arngrim, Julie Brown, Gabrielle Carteris, Rae Dawn Chong, Anne DeSalvo, Frances Fisher, Geri Jewell, Carolyn Hennesy, Kate Linder, Lee Meriwether, Susan Olsen, Robin Riker, Beverly Sanders, Tracie Thoms, Kirsten Vangsness, Suzanne Whang, Jill Whelan, and Debra Wilson. All appearances are subject to availability.

Director Sheena Metal is now celebrating the 10th anniversary of her involvement with the annual benefit readings of The Vagina Monologues. “It is thrilling to work with so many great actresses, all of whom are graciously donating their time and talents,” said Metal, whose popular LATalkRadio show, The Sheena Metal Experience (M-F, 5-7pm) is only one of four programs she hosts on LATR each week. “I salute every artist, onstage and off, that is contributing to this special presentation of The Vagina Monologues.”

To date, the V-Day movement, founded by playwright/actress Eve Ensler, has raised over $75 million and educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it. In 2006, the V-Day movement was named one of Marie Claire Magazine’s Top Ten Charities, and in 2010, over 5400 V-Day benefit events took place produced by volunteer activists in the U.S. and around the world, educating millions of people about the reality of violence against women and girls. In more than a dozen years, the V-Day movement has reached over 300 million people.

These special benefit performances of The Vagina Monologues are on Saturday, April 30; Sunday, May 1; Friday, May 6; and Saturday, May 7. Curtain time for all performances is 8pm. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at http://vdaylosangeles.com/tickets2016.html or by phone at (818) 437-0886. The Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Avenue, in Los Angeles, 90039.

# # #

04-25-16

NEWS RELEASE — “NO HOMO” BY BRANDON BARUCH, DIRECTED BY JESSICA HANNA, SET FOR LIMITED ENGAGEMENT 7/30—8/23

NO HOMO
BY BRANDON BARUCH
DIRECTED BY JESSICA HANNA

BE FLAT PRODUCTIONS AND PRAXIS LIMITED
ANNOUNCE LIMITED ENGAGEMENT OF AWARD-WINNING COMEDY

FIVE WEEKS ONLY
JULY 30 — AUGUST 23
OPENS SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 AT 8PM

The smash hit Fringe comedy NO HOMO by Brandon Baruch will receive its first full run with a new production at the Atwater Village Theatre, it was announced by Be Flat Productions and Praxis Limited. There will be two preview performances on Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31 at 8pm. Opening is set for Saturday, August 1 at 8pm and the strictly limited engagement will run through August 23.

NO HOMO had its world premiere in the 2014 Hollywood Fringe Festival, where it swept the Closing Night Awards with nine nominations and five wins including Best World Premiere, Best in Ensemble Theatre, Best Director, and the Encore! Producer’s Award. The production then moved to the New York International Fringe Festival where it was met with similar acclaim and quickly became an audience favorite.

Directed by Jessica Hanna, the cast of this new production will feature (in alphabetical order) Elizabeth Ellson, Lauren Flans, AJ Jones, Michael Lutheran, Henry McMillan, and Jonny Rodgers. Scenic design is by David Offner, lighting design is by playwright Baruch, costume design is by Laura Wong, and the sound design is by Corwin Evans.

NO HOMO tells the tale of Luke and Ash, two 20-something Los Angeles urbanites who identify as heterosexual even though their friendship is totally gay. Their friends and families refuse to acknowledge the platonic nature of their relationship, and eventually the men themselves start to question their own sexual identities, leading to a drunken evening that their friendship might not survive.

Playwright Brandon Baruch is a writer, director, producer, and lighting designer. His plays have been seen on both coasts, and he has designed lighting for productions in Southern California, New York, and Chicago. Director Jessica Hanna is a Los Angeles- based theatre artist. She is Co-Founder, Producing & Managing Director of Bootleg Theater. She has directed at Abundant Sugar at the Brewery and at Occidental College, and since 2006 she has produced over 100 productions and events at Bootleg.

Preview performances of NO HOMO are on Thursday, July 30 at 8pm and Friday, July 31 at 8pm. Opening is set for Saturday, August 1 at 8pm. The regular running schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 7pm through August 23 only. General admission tickets are $15 for previews and $20 for regular performances and may be obtained online at www.nohomo.brownpapertickets.com, www.nohomoplay.com, or by calling (800) 838-3006. The Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Avenue, in Los Angeles.

# # #

07-14-15

Press Release — All Star Cast Will Perform ‘The Vagina Monologues’ May 16-17-18 to Benefit V-Day & Protect.org

All-Star Cast Will Perform
The Vagina Monologues
to Benefit V-Day and Protect.org

Popular LATalkRadio Host Sheena Metal
Directs the Eve Ensler Play
at the Atwater Village Theatre Speakeasy

3 Performances Only, May 16-17-18

More than 50 film and television stars will perform Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues in an intimate theatrical setting for three performances only, May 16, 17, and 18 at 8pm, at the Atwater Village Theatre in Los Angeles. Produced and directed by Sheena Metal for Ensemble Studio Theatre Los Angeles, all proceeds will benefit V-Day, A Global Movement to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and Protect.org, a national pro-child, anti-crime association committed to building a powerful, nonpartisan force for the protection of children from abuse, exploitation and neglect.

“It is exciting to work with so many great actresses, all of whom are graciously donating their time and talents,” said Metal, whose popular LATalkRadio show, The Sheena Metal Experience (M-F, 5-7pm) is only one of four programs she hosts on LATR each week. “I salute every artist, onstage and off, that is contributing to this special presentation of The Vagina Monologues.”

Among the long list of luminous actresses who will perform in the three benefit performances are (in alphabetical order) Alison Arngrim, Yvette Cason, Daisy Eagan, Ilene Graff, Sally Kirkland, Ann Noble, Jenny O’Hara, Susan Olsen, Lizzie Peet, Suzanne Westenhoefer, and Kim Yarbrough. A complete cast list is available at www.vdayla.com.

To date, the V-Day movement, founded by playwright/actress Eve Ensler, has raised over $75 million and educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it. In 2006, the V-Day movement was named one of Marie Claire Magazine’s Top Ten Charities, and in 2010, over 5400 V-Day benefit events took place produced by volunteer activists in the U.S. and around the world, educating millions of people about the reality of violence against women and girls. In 12 years, the V-Day movement has reached over 300 million people.

These special performances of The Vagina Monologues are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 16, 17, and 18, at 8pm. Tickets are $25, and may be purchased online at www.vdayla.com. The Atwater Village Theatre Speakeasy is located at 3269 Casitas Avenue, in Los Angeles.

# # #

05-07-14