LUCKY STIFF, Starring Jason Alexader & Nikki M. James Coming to U.S. Theaters & On Demand This July

By: Apr. 21, 2015
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Veteran independent film distributor Richard Abramowitz announced that his company Abramorama, will release LUCKY STIFF in New York City on July 24th. The Orchard will compliment the theatrical release by making the film available to all U.S. and Canadian cable, satellite and digital platforms for a simultaneous day and date release.

The film is directed by Christopher Ashley (Tony nominated Broadway director of MEMPHIS, XANADU, ROCKY HORROR SHOW) with a screenplay and lyrics and music by the Tony Award winners and Academy Award nominated composer-lyricist team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (RAGTIME, ROCKY THE MUSICAL, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. The film is produced by Victor Symris (PSYCHO BEACH PARTY) and J. Todd Harris (Broadway's DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, off Broadway's HEAHERS THE MUSICAL, Academy nominated THE KIDS ARE ALLRIGHT, BOTTLE SHOCK.)

The film stars Jason Alexander (SEINFELD, Broadway's FISH IN THE DARK), Nikki M. James (Tony Award winner for THE BOOK OF MORMON), Pamela Shaw (SCARCITY -HILLTOWN PLAYS (Obie 2014) MASKS OUTRAGEOUS, THE WHISTLEBLOWER, WALTER), Dennis Farina (LAW AND ORDER, EMPIRE FALLS) and Dominic Marsh (The Royal Shakespeare Company), Cheyenne Jackson (XANADU, ALL SHOOK UP, LOVE IS STRANGE) and KATE SHINDLE (LAW AND ORDER, CAPOTE)

"Lucky Stiff instantly reminded me of all things I love about musical theater' said Richard Abramowitz, president of Abramorama. "We're thrilled to work with this great team on such a delightful film, and happy to help get it out to the world."

Producers Victor Symris and J.Todd Harris said: "We were fortunate to attract so much talent to this production starting with the veteran stage director Chris Ashley who assembled a wonderful cast. We loved having the opportunity to bring Lynn and Stephen's earliest work to the screen in all glory. Furthermore, we're thrilled to be releasing the film in New York and on-demand to the rest of the country simultaneously so audiences across the US have the opportunity to enjoy LUCKY STIFF at the same time.

"There's a joyful energy that permeates every aspect of LUCKY STIFF, said The Orchard SVP of Film and TV, Paul Davidson. "Not only are we excited to bring the film to fans of the musical, but expose its infectious performance to a broader audience"

Lucky Stiff is a musical comedy with a romantic heart. A young down and out British show salesman named harry Witherspoon (Dominic Marsh) takes his dead American uncle (Don Amendolia) to Monte Carlo for the best time of his life - a week of fun, dancing, gambling and sun. If the young man fulfills his dead uncle's will to the letter, he will inherit 6 million dollars left to him. If he doesn't, the money will go to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn. As Harry races from casino to nightclub to beach and bedroom with his dead uncle, he is chased by a desperate put-upon optometrist (Jason Alexander) his controlling myopic trigger happy sister (Pamela Shaw) a mysterious Italian playboy (Dennis Farina) as well as young woman from Brooklyn (Nikki M James) dead set on getting that money for he dogs. Guns go off, disguises go on, champagne corks pop romance blossoms, dogs bark and everyone sings!

The deal was negotiated between Craig Sussman of the Orchard and Clay Epstein of Arclight Films.

ABOUT ABRAMORAMA
Abramorama is an industry leader in the personalized, focused form of film marketing/distribution that bypasses traditional film studios and their methodology, providing invaluable distribution alternatives to current content makers and owners. The company's distribution projects have included Academy Award nominated director Robert Stone's provocative Sundance entry Pandora's Promise; Cameron Crowe's celebrated documentary Pearl Jam Twenty; Banksy's Spirit Award-winner and Academy Award-nominee Exit Through the Gift Shop; and, Sacha Gervasi's Spirit Award-winning music documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil.

About Arclight Films

Arclight Films is one of the world's leading international sales companies for theatrical, television and home video. Arclight Films has sold over 300 motion pictures including the Best Picture Oscar® winner CRASH, and Golden Globe® Best Picture Nominee BOBBY. Arclight Films additionally encompasses subsidiary labels Darclight Films, the edgy genre-driven division of the company whose films include the worldwide horror hit WOLF CREEK, action thriller BAIT 3D and a current slate that includes WOLF CREEK 2, The CONFINES and many more, and Easternlight, a specialty arm showcasing Asian cinema with the largest film library of any non Asian-based indie film label. Films sold under the Easternlight banner include the worldwide blockbuster FORBIDDEN KINGDOM starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li, 14 BLADES starring Donnie Yen, legendary auteur Chen Kaige's SACRIFICE. The latest additions to Easternlight include Wu Jing's WOLF WARRIOR, SNOW GIRL AND THE DARK CRYSTAL starring Li Bingbing, OUTCAST starring Nicholas Cage, SPECIAL ID starring Donnie Yen, BADGES OF FURY starring Jet Li and Cannes Film Festival "Directors Fortnight" official selection and Toronto International Film Festival Gala Selection DANGEROUS LIASIONS starring Zhang Ziyi, Cecilia Cheung and Jang Dong Gun. For more information on Arclight Films please visit www.arclightfilms.com

About The Orchard

The Orchard is a pioneering music, video and film distribution company and top-ranked Multi Channel Network operating in more than 25 global markets. With a holistic approach to sales and marketing combined with industry-leading technology and operations, The Orchard amplifies reach and revenue across hundreds of digital, physical and mobile outlets around the world. The Orchard streamlines content owners' business complexity with an intuitive client dashboard, comprehensive rights management and tailored client support. Founded in 1997, The Orchard empowers businesses and creators in the entertainment industry. For further information, please visit www.theorchard.com.


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