UNBUTTONED To Play The 1st Hollywood Fringe Festival 6/20-26

Unbuttoned, the solo show co-written and performed by Andreas Beckett, has been chosen to have its World Premiere at the first-ever Hollywood Fringe Festival with performances taking place Sunday, June 20th - Sunday, June 27th. The venue is the 50-seat Lounge Theatre located at 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood.

Unbuttoned, a musical dramedy is Beckett's true story of his quest for love, one woman at a time. Born and raised in the Bavarian Alps, as a young boy in lederhosen and up through his university years, he showed a talent for acting, singing, acrobatics and dance, and for impressing the frauleins. His obsession with sex, drugs and rock-n-roll brought him to America. He did it all, falling down along the way and struggling to find himself. He endured gangs, prison, suffering, betrayal, but in the end it was his son that taught him the true meaning of love.

Beckett's work includes numerous stage, film, television and opera credits. His TV debut was playing Hitler on Saturday Night Live, followed by his acclaimed portrayal of Macbeth at The American Theatre in New York. His first film project was the lead in Empty, by director Micah Herman. Unbuttoned's collaborators are theatrical and TV veterans Mitzie and Ken Welch, writers and composers for The Carol Burnett Show. They have racked up numerous Emmys for TV specials for Barbra Streisand, Carol Burnett, Linda Lavin and Ben Vereen. Mitzie, is the director and co-writer with Beckett on the show with musical direction by Ken Welch. Tango choreography is by two-time American Choreography Award nominee Jordi Caballero.

Beckett has performed Unbuttoned at the Whitefire Theatre's solo series in Sherman Oaks for more than a year as well as for a benefit at the Santa Monica Playhouse. Louis Fantasia, theatre NPR/KCRW says: "Unbuttoned has to be one of the warmest, most endearing one-man shows to hit the stage....well worth seeing." "Beckett exudes mega-sex appeal and gives a fantastically charming honest performance," says Valley Scene Magazine reviewer Tony Reverditto. The Tolucan Times theatre critic says: "Bavarian-born Beckett's American Tale is fascinating from beginning to end."

The Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA. Performance Dates and Times: Sun., June 20th, 2pm and Sun., June 27th, 2pm; Mon., June 21st, Fri., June 25th, Sat., June 26th all at 8pm. Tickets: $15 and can be purchased through www.hollywoodfringe.org,, at the Fringe Central box office or 1/2 hr. prior to the performances at the Lounge Theatre box office.