Urie, Wilson, Willard & More Lead Broad Stage's CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY 6/21 & 7/19

By: Jun. 18, 2010
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The Edye Second Space at The Broad Stage will be entirely transformed into a stylish boîte, complete with tables, mood lighting and a well-stocked bar, when "The 21st Century Cabaret" takes up residence for intimate evenings of singular voices breathing new passion into a beloved genre. The smash New York hit "Celebrity Autobiography" makes its home in The Edye repeatedly throughout the year.

The 2009 Drama Desk Award winner and 2010 Bistro Award winner Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words will perform shows on Monday, June 21 at 7:30pm and 9:30pm and Monday, July 19, at 7:30pm and 9:30pm at The Edye Second Space at The Broad Stage. The 7:30pm shows are sold-out!

A Critics Pick in New York, this "merry compendium of the witlessness and wisdom of the rich and famous" (New York Times) returns home to LA with a rotating roster of comedy titans. Kristen Wiig, Rita Wilson, Laraine Newman, Brooke Shields, Rhea Perlman, Fred Willard, Rachel Dratch, and Ryan Reynolds are among the A-listers channeling the tell-all memoirs of noted authors Sylvester Stallone, Star Jones, ElizaBeth Taylor and Mr. T. And let's not forget the poetic stylings of Miss Suzanne Somers. The hit comedy show where celebrities perform the actual memoirs of other celebrities! Created by Eugene Pack, winner of the 2009 Drama Desk Award for "Unique
The casts are scheduled as follows:

Monday, June 21 at 7:30pm and 9:30pm
Michael Urie ("Ugly Betty" star), Rita Wilson, Fred Willard, Eugene Pack, Laraine Newman, Dayle Reyfel, Brooke Shields, Florence Henderson and Alan Zweibel

Monday, July 19 at 7:30pm and 9:30pm
Scott Adsit (30 Rock), Lesley Ann Warren, Fred Willard, Dayle Reyfel, Eugene Pack, Brooke Shields and more.

The comedy sensation Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words features a line-up of rotating performers who interpret the actual words and stories written by the famous and the infamous, in both solo and ensemble "chamber" pieces. Some of the "authors" that are featured include Ivana Trump, VAnna White, Mr. T, Star Jones, Kenny Loggins, Tommy Lee, Sylvester Stallone, the Jonas Brothers, Zsa Zsa Gabor, David Cassidy, Neil Sedaka, Britney Spears, Madonna, Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson, as well as the infamous memoirs of ElizaBeth Taylor, Eddie Fisher, and Debbie Reynolds, which are edited together to create a Rashomon-esque playlet in the participants' own words.

New books are being added to the Celebrity Autobiography repertoire for 2010 including Tiger Woods's How I Play Golf and Carrie Prejean's Still Standing.

Celebrity Autobiography is playing to sell-out audiences and rave reviews at the Triad Theater. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times called the show "big-yuks entertainment" and a "merry compendium of the witlessness and wisdom of the rich and famous." Joe Dziemianowicz of the Daily News called it a "potent comic cocktail...you weep with laughter." The New Yorker called it "inspired." And Sam Thielman of Variety wrote, "Audience members hyperventilate. It should lead a long and happy life." The show has been featured by numerous media outlets, including ABC's "The View" and "Nightline," NPR's "Morning Edition," CNN'S "American Morning," New York 1, WNBC'S "News for New York" at 11pm, and Bravo's "A-List Awards."

About The Broad Stage:
Under the leadership of Director Dale Franzen and Artistic Chair Dustin Hoffman, The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center opened its doors in Santa Monica in October 2008. Inspired by Italian "horseshoe" theaters, yet conceived in an absolutely contemporary vernacular, The Broad Stage is an artist's dream and an audience's delight. Unlike any performance space in the country, it is sublimely intimate with 499-seats and strikingly grand at the same time - allowing eye contact with artists from the boxes to the back row -forging a new kind of artist and audience experience in Los Angeles. Theater, dance, film, operas, musicals, symphony and chamber orchestras will be presented on one of the city's largest proscenium stages. Designed without compromise to embrace the artistic process from inspiration to opening night, and conceived as a global theater and community hub. In addition to The Broad Stage, The Edye Second Space, a smaller black box theater, presents new, developing and innovative work in theater, music and dance as part of the 21st Century Cabaret Series. Under the Radar Series (UTR) features younger, innovative artists and chamber pieces and plays. Programming at The Edye is intentionally spontaneous, reflecting the dynamic nature of the space and allowing the latest, most exciting artists to be booked on short notice. The Under the Radar Series is only $20.

21st Century Cabaret featuring Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words plays at The Edye Second Space at The Broad Stage, 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA. Tickets are $45 - $65 and may be purchased by phone at 310-434-3200 or www.TheBroadStage.com. Please note that The Edye Second Sace is a cash only venue. Parking is FREE.



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