Tony Award-winning actress Audra McDonald, who starred in the 2004 Broadway revival of A RAISIN IN THE SUN and currently stars in the ABC drama "Private Practice," attended Saturday night's benefit performance of the TWEED Fractured Classick RAISINETS IN THE SUNSHINE, presented as part of HOWL! ARTS PROJECT 2010 which continues through September 30. Also seen at this weekend's performances of the irreverent adaptation of the Lorraine Hansberry classic at Theatre 80 were Charles Busch, Julie Halston, restaurateur Florent Morellet, and Will Swenson.
RAISINETS IN THE SUNSHINE featured downtown favorites Clark Beasley, Rosa Currie, Flotilla DeBarge, Kyle Grooms, David Ilku, and Jodi Lennon. The production, which benefits HOWL H.E.L.P, was "fractured" by writer Stephen Pell, and directed by Kevin Malony.
A month-long program of non-stop music, film, theater, performance art, burlesque and drag entertainment, HOWL! ARTS PROJECT was conceived as a series of events taking place at a variety of downtown venues throughout September to benefit H.E.L.P. (Howl! Emergency Life Project). H.E.L.P. is an emergency assistance fund, administered through The Actors Fund, supporting East Village artists. Howl! Arts Project presents wildly diverse programming at affordable costs to the whole family. Artists of all disciplines impart talent and pleasure galore as they showcase developing and finished work in traditional and experimental theatrical productions, gallery offerings and more.
Upcoming performances at Theatre 80 include the new plays SUGARED MEATINGS and THE FALL OF CAFE MUDAFIER TO THE TOLTECS (Sept 20 at 8pm); Tammy Faye Starlight in CHELSEA MADCHEN (Sept 21 at 8pm); the TWEED Music Series presents Carnaby Street: The Sensational Sixties (Sept 24 at 8pm); Rosie's Broadway Kids (Sept 25 & 26 at 2pm);
David Caudle's THE SUNKEN LIVING ROOM (Sept 25 & 26 at 8pm); Our
Lady J and The Train-to-Kill Gospel Choir present GOSPEL FOR THE GODLESS; and more.
HOWL! ARTS PROJECT 2010 continues through September 30 at Theatre 80 (80
St. Marks Place) and other downtown venues. Tickets are $5-20; visit
www.brownpapertickets.com or call 800-838-3066. Cash only at the door.
For more information, visit
www.howlfestival.com.
Photo Credit: Nathaniel Siegel
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