ODETTE Productions' SEX Begins at Hollywood Fringe Festival Today
Odette Productions boards the 20th Century Limited bound for New York City as it presents the world premiere comedy SEX, loosely based on the scandalous affairs of infamous socialite Peggy Hopkins Joyce. Sex will be playing nine performances at The Hudson Theatres as part of the 2016 Hollywood Fringe Festival, beginning today, June 9.
January 5th, 1926. A sizzling menage a trois awaits the ever so scandalous Peggy Hopkins Joyce as she boards the 20th Century Limited bound for New York. On her way to attend the premiere of her latest picture "The Skyrocket," she finds herself caught in a sexual love triangle with a handsome struggling actor and a titled English duke. It's a race against time with only 24 hours to choose the best lover. Who will she choose? A wealthy duke? The struggling actor? Or will they choose each other and leave Peggy out of it?
Peggy Hopkins Joyce had a profound influence on 20th century culture. Luchino Vecchio, writer and director of Sex explains why Sex is relevant to today's audiences. "I found Peggy to be a fascinating character. As a woman who was not an actress, singer, or a dancer, she knew what she wanted, how she wanted it, and she did it her own way, making her one of the most celebrated personalities of the country. In addition, I wanted to showcase how even in the 1920s there were celebrities that the world obsessed over thus confirming nothing much has changed since that time." If Luchino had to equate Peggy to a modern day celebrity, he confirms, "I would choose Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian, but without their families. Peggy started from scratch. She did not have a prominent family behind her or a sex scandal that helped her rise to fame."
Sex celebrates the sexual revolution of the 1920's and even though modern audiences might find the subject matter to be taboo, Luchino hopes Sex will not only entertain but enlighten audiences. "Sex is OK. It is Ok to be yourself. It is OK to live out your sexual fantasies. My hope is that audiences will become more enlightened on how the film community contributed to the sexual awakening of the 1920's and how that history helped to form our knowledge and appreciation of the arts as it relates to sex today." Luchino remarks.
The show stars Los Angeles native Courtney Christensen as Peggy Hopkins Joyce. Ms. Christensen was last seen on stage as Janet Weiss in The Rocky Horror Show. Accompanying Ms. Christensen on stage is Maurice Neuhaus who plays the role of Max, a titled English Duke. Maurice is no stranger to Los Angeles theatre having appeared in The Importance of Being Earnest, All In The Timing, and Cabaret. Television appearances include "Nurse Jackie" opposite Edie Falco and "Saturday Night Live." David Abed plays Ken, a struggling actor. David's career also spans stage and screen having appeared in the long running off-Broadway hit Blue Man Group as well as Murder...Without A Clue at the Next Door Lounge in Hollywood.
Sex runs as part of the 2016 Hollywood Fringe Festival from June 9 through June 25 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 PM and Saturdays at 10 PM with a special preview performance on Tuesday June 7th @ 10 PM. All performances will take place at The Hudson Theatres; 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038. Tickets are $29 General Admission and $19 for Fringe Participants and can be purchased at www.hff16/3561 or www.hollywoodfringe.org.
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