Andrew McCarthy Joins 'BATTLE OF THE BARDS' Benefit 2/20

Partial Comfort Productions will present the 4th annual BATTLE OF THE BARDS on Friday February 20, 2009 at The Canal Room (285 West Broadway at Canal Street).

BATTLE OF THE BARDS is a one-night-only theater competition pitting New York City's hottest emerging theater companies against each other in a stage-fight to the finish. With an audience of nearly 1000 last year, this benefit for Partial Comfort Productions has rapidly become Off-Off Broadway's biggest annual event.

The panel of judges for the event include Pulitzer Prize winning playwrights David Auburn (Proof) and Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog); actors Andrew McCarthy (Lipstick Jungle, Pretty in Pink, Weekend at Bernie's), John Slattery (Mad Men) and Daniel Sunjata (Rescue Me); casting director Marcia Debonis (Bride Wars) and theater journalist David Cote (Time Out New York).

This year, seven theater companies will compete in BATTLE OF THE BARDS: Naked Angels, Ma-Yi, EST's Youngblood, The Fire Department, Electric Pear, Flux and Partial Comfort. Each company assembles its own artistic team consisting of playwright, director and actors.

On Feb 6th, each team will be given the parameters by which to write, cast, and rehearse a world premiere one-act play; all plays must incorporate the use of a prop that will be personally selected by William H. Macy (currently starring on Broadway in Speed the Plow). Two weeks later, on February 20th, these plays will be performed publicly at The Canal Room and the winner will be determined by a panel of celebrities and industry professionals. An audience favorite award will also be presented. Winning companies receive prize packages donated by area businesses that specialize in theater production (rehearsal spaces, lighting packages, sound rentals, etc.) that help offset costs of future productions.

All proceeds from BATTLE OF THE BARDS will benefit Partial Comfort Productions' (www.partialcomfort.org) seventh theatrical season.

Doors for BATTLE OF THE BARDS open at 6:00pm with complimentary Lagunitas Beer from 6-7pm. The first 100 people through the door also get a complimentary gift bag. Battle performances run from 7:30pm - 9:30pm with winners announced at 10:00pm.

General admission is $15.00. VIP admission is $75.00 and includes complimentary Montes Wine, Lagunitas Beer, Sofia Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine, hors d'oeuvres, cupcakes, a VIP gift bag, and table seating. For tickets call 212-352-3101 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.