BUSTING OUT Makes North American Debut, 10/12

Busting Out! , the international hit show, which has been seen by an audience of over 300,000 in Australia, New Zealand and the UK will make its North American debut in Los Angeles for a limited run, starting Wednesday, October 12 (press opening on October 16) at the Hayworth Theatre, located at 2511 Wilshire Blvd. The show, created by Emma Powell, is a laugh-out-loud, totally liberating show: part stand up, part musical, part cabaret and all laughter.

Tickets ($46-$60) go on sale June 24 at 10 am and are available online at www.thehayworth.com or by calling 323-960-4442. Performances are Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Great discounts for groups of 10 or more, contact www.thehayworth.com or 323-960-4442.

The show is an uplifting celebration of bouncy songs, wobbly jokes, thigh-slapping sketches, and of course, practical demonstrations of the fascinating lesser-known uses of the leading ladies' assets.

Busting Out! has been embraced by audiences across the UK, Australia and New Zealand - and will have its North American premiere in Los Angeles. For women in social, sporting, or office groups, and bachelorette parties, this will be the hottest ticket in town this fall.

Already established as one of the most sensational voices in Australian musical theatre, Emma Powell surprised everyone with the creation of Busting Out! in 2006. Over the last several years, Emma has given women of all ages, shapes and sizes, the liberating experience of seeing themselves represented onstage in her hilarious show. She said, "Women are bombarded by images of so-called perfect breasts in fashion magazines, billboards and on television, which nobody could possibly live up to. Our show demystifies and celebrates what women actually really look like under their bras, and allows us all to share a good laugh at ourselves in the process."

From small beginnings at the 60 seat Melbourne's Trades Hall in 2006, Busting Out! grew into a theatrical force to be reckoned with. Over 250,000 Australians have seen the show, with sold out runs in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and many regional theatres across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Men and women of all ages are entertained. But it's the show's transformative effect on many women, particularly older women, which has made Busting Out! the theatrical phenomena of the decade Down Under.

Emma said, "By now, I think the public has realized that we are not a titillating peep show. This is theatre of the ridiculous. As our last Melbourne season kept extending, we noticed more and more women coming along in large groups. It becomes a riot of laughter. They see us up on stage with our tops off, being completely silly, and that makes everyone feel comfortable with themselves. It's a life-changing experience for many women who have perhaps been ashamed or embarrassed by their breasts all their life. But the blokes don't need to be afraid. There's plenty of laughs for everyone."

Nor should you be tempted to think of this as some kind of mammarial imitation of Puppetry of the Penis. Yes, it's a wild night out but as commentators have pointed out Busting Out! is "an affirming lesson in body love and esteem without the soapbox" West Australian it "makes women feel good about themselves and their bodies" Sunday Mail Adelaide. "Tasteful, clever, liberating and laugh out loud funny, it's refreshing to see women take ownership of their assets and use them for laughs like no other," The Daily Telegraph said of the show. The Dominion Post, NZ said, "The audience loved every minute of it." "Sydney Manly Daily added "This wonderful show....time and again ambushing the audience with its audacity... is a political statement by women for women about themselves." and the word from Scotsgay in the UK was, "It's a huge feel good show. This is the ultimate form of female empowerment - A show that defies every attempt society can muster to pressurise women into stereotypes. If you see one show this year - let it be this." 

But perhaps England's Blackpool Gazette from the town that is spiritual home of variety and nudge nudge humour throughout the English speaking world, summarized it most succinctly, as simply "good clean fun."

About the cast:

The two hander all woman comedy Busting Out! will be performed in LA by the following performers:

Emma Powell:
Emma Powell is arguably Australia's most popular female writer for the commercial stage, having created two hit shows Busting Out! and Dumped! The Musical We've Been Through!

Busting Out! has been seen by over 250,000 Australians and has now been performed at over 150 theatres throughout Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Dumped, The Musical We've All Been Through is currently touring the major cities of Australia. Now playing to capacity crowds in the 1,000 seat Her Majesty's Theatre in Adelaide, a season in Melbourne is scheduled to open later this year. Plans are also underway to tour Dumped to New Zealand in 2012.

When not writing, Emma is also well known for her roles in hit musicals such as MAMMA MIA! (Australian and Asian Tour), Fiddler on the Roof (with Topol) and Les Misérables. She has performed with The Production Company and starred in the one-woman show, The Journey Girl. Emma wrote and performed the cabarets Two's Company - Three's On The Way, and Two's Company - Three's a Crowd.

Emma Powell is committed to reducing the prevalence of cancer in our communities and through Busting Out! has been able to raise over $50,000 in support of breast cancer research and care.

She is currently working on her first novel.

Mandi Lodge:
British/Australian performer of the stage, film and TV, Mandi has just returned to Australia after completing a national tour of Busting Out! in the UK. It was a great opportunity to tour England and Wales in a show she loves and spend time with her family. Since arriving Down Under 10 years ago Mandi has performed in All Shook Up, 42nd Street and opposite the late Rob Guest in Sweeney Todd. One of Mandi's favourite musical theatre roles is that of Sharon in Dumped! The Musical We've All Been Through! During her career she has enjoyed performing with Tamsin Carroll, Rachel Beck, James Morrison and of course Emma Powell and Bev Killick in Busting Out!

Bev Killick:
Bev Killick is a performer and contributing writer to Busting Out! She is a well respected Australian Stand up, actor and writer. She has toured extensively throughout Australia and New Zealand performing her own show, as well as appearing on the same stage with acts such as Weird Al Yankovic,Wayne Brady and Puppetry of the Penis. Her television credits include Kath and Kim, Beauty and the Beast, The Comedy Channel, Joker Poker, MDA, and Surprise Wedding as a bride.... yes really. For the past 4 years Bev has been touring the globe in Busting Out! Where she is a contributing writer as well as one of the lead performers. Bev's voice also stars in the forthcoming animation feature, Little Johnny - The Movie.

 

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