DIVORCE! The Musical Creates 2 Benefit Readings For Courage Campaign 5/11, 5/12

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment, today announced the critically acclaimed production of Divorce! The Musical will create two special reading presentations to benefit the Courage Campaign. These performances will take place at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre in Los Angeles and showcase a lesbian couple on Monday, May 11 and a gay couple on Tuesday, May 12. 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Courage Campaign's efforts to restore marriage equality.

"Divorce! The Musical encourages the audience to laugh at marriage and its ugly side - divorce. But it also highlights the subtle nuances of a relationship - the aspects of which are universal and applicable to both heterosexual and homosexual relationships," said show creator Erin Kamler. "Though the play tackles the fleeting world of relationships in a lighter vein, the issue of marriage equality that it supports is no laughing matter. The cast and the crew strongly believe in marriage equality for everyone and passionately support the Courage Campaign in their quest to restore marriage equality. I hope our two reading presentations focusing on the gay and lesbian aspects of divorce will bring us one step closer to marriage equality in California."

With music, book and lyrics by Erin Kamler, and directed by multi-award winning director, Rick Sparks, Divorce! The Musical is a hilarious and poignant examination of the institution of marriage; and has been successfully playing to full houses since opening on Valentines day 2009. In its current form Divorce! The Musical is the story of a heterosexual relationship that is embroiled in denial, deception and raw outrage as it ends in a divorce after four years. The script is being specially rewritten for the two benefit reading presentations and will highlight the trials and tribulations that gay and lesbian couples potentially experience in relationships.

"Sometimes the best way to promote understanding is through the performing arts. Divorce! The Musical does just that by presenting the ironies present in the institution of marriage," added Rick Jacobs, the Courage Campaign's Founder and Chair commenting on this new approach to garner support for the campaign. "Our thanks to the company of Divorce! The Musical for their support of our efforts to restore marriage equality in California."

The Courage Campaign, an online organizing network working towards progressive change, is currently canvassing to help build grassroots support to restore marriage equality to California. Since the passage of Prop 8 in November the Courage Campaign has worked tirelessly to accomplish this mission through its Equality Program and its series of Camp Courage trainings. With Iowa's repeal of its ban on same-sex marriage and Vermont's recent move to legalize same-sex marriage, momentum for marriage equality nationwide continues to grow. Divorce! The Musical is its first-ever attempt to build awareness and sponsorship for a cause through the performing arts.

The Courage Campaign benefit reading presentations and post show receptions of Divorce! The Musical will be held as follows:

Date & Times:
Lesbian Couple Monday, May 11 @ 8 pm
Gay Couple Tuesday May 12 @ 8 pm

Location:
The Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Bl., in Hollywood

Benefit Tickets:
$55 for each benefit reading presentation and post show reception
(100% of the proceeds will benefit the Courage Campaign, Repeal Prop 8 campaign)

To purchase tickets:
http://www.divorcemusical.com/
click on the Courage Campaign Icon