Celebration Theatre Presents WOMEN BEHIND BARS, Previews 11/11, 11/12

Celebration Theatre in association with David Elzer presents the third show of their 2009-2010 season, the hilarious WOMEN BEHIND BARS. WOMEN BEHIND BARS is written by Tom Eyen and will be directed by Kurt Koehler. WOMEN BEHIND BARS will preview on Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 12 at 8pm and will open on Friday, November 13 and run through Sunday, December 20 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

In this hilarious send-up of women in prison 'B' movies of the 50's, Sweet Mary Eleanor-framed for a crime she didn't commit-lands in the Greenwich Village Women's House of Detention. Presided over by a sadistic prison matron with a taste for female flesh, Mary Eleanor enters this multicultural den of vice and ends up hardened and cynical before her time....just like in the movies. West Hollywood's Momma takes on the role of the evil Matron with a taste for female flesh, a role originally played by Divine. Women Behind Bars played sold out audiences in both New York in the 70's and in Ron Link's classic Los Angeles production at the Roxy in the 80s with Lu Leonard as the Matron.
ABOUT THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
KURT KOEHLER (Director) started his directing debut in LA with the acclaimed 1998 revival of Vampire Lesbians of Sodom. He has directed and co-written four full-length stage plays of Chico's Angels. This Latin spoof of Charlie's Angels has played to sold out houses for the last six years and has toured to San Diego and Las Vegas. His films include Superfag, Hung Frankenstein, Taco Chick and Salsa Girl, The Incredible Dyke and now the web series of "Chico's Angels," due to premiere sometime this year. He has appeared in the motion pictures "A River Made To Drown In," "Pretty Woman," and "Twilight Of The Golds," and recently lent his voIce To the Oscar winning "Shrek".

Tom Eyen (Playwright) Mr. Eyen was a Tony Award and Grammy Award winning American playwright, lyricist, television writer and theatre director. He is best known for works at opposite ends of the theatrical spectrum. Mainstream theatergoers became acquainted with him in 1981 when he partnered with composer Henry Krieger and director Michael Bennett to write the book and lyrics for Dreamgirls, the hit Broadway musical about an African American female singing trio. Mr Eyen's career started, however, with avant garde plays and musicals that he wrote and directed off-off Broadway in the early 1960s, which eventually led to off-Broadway success in the 1970s with the controversial nudity-filled performance-art play The Dirtiest Show in Town and Women Behind Bars. Tom Eyen passed away at the age of 50 on May 26, 1991.

The cast of WOMEN BEHIND BARS includes: Momma, Kimberly Lewis, Dudley Beene , Pip Lilly, Mary K. Devault, Randi Pareira, Tara Karsian, Marianne M. Arreaga Arianna Ortiz, Jessica Goldapple, and Ted Monte.

WOMEN BEHIND BARS is produced by Michael A. Shepperd and John Michael Beck in association with David Elzer. Associate Producer is Michael Rohla. The scenic design is by Kurt Boetcher, the lighting design is by Matthew Denman, costume design is by Michael Mullen and the sound design is by Veronica Lancaster. The show is Stage Managed by Mercedes Clanton. Celebration Theatre's Artistic Director is Michael A. Shepperd, Managing Director is Michael Kricfalusi.

ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND PRICING

WOMEN BEHIND BARS will preview on Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 12 and will open on Friday, November 13 and run through Sunday, December 20. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 3pm. Ticket prices are $25.00 for all performances.

WOMEN BEHIND BARS is performed at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood. For Tickets, please call 323-957-1884 or visit the Celebration Theatre website at www.celebrationtheatre.com.

For more information or for press comps, please contact David Elzer at 818-508-1754 or at ElzerD@aol.com

Celebration Theatre is a community of artists dedicated to presenting innovative, provocative and relevant work that examines the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer experience. We endeavor to challenge society's perception of this community and give a vibrant voIce To its evolving identity.

The theatre is located at 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. (1/2 block east of LaBrea) in Hollywood. For more information, please visit www.celebrationtheatre.com.

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