CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY With Reynolds, Coolidge & More Benefits Gulf Oil Spill

How does Vanna flip her panels? What does Stallone have in his freezer? Why did Burt and Loni topple from the upper tier of their wedding cake? What makes the Jonas Brothers get along? Didn't think you cared? You will once you've seen "Celebrity Autobiography," the hilarious Off Broadway comedic hit featuring celebrities reading other stars' own words, playing at Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré on July 11th, 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. A portion of each ticket sold will be donated to the Greater New Orleans Foundation's Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund. Regular tickets are $69; premium seats $99. A party with the cast will follow the 9:00 p.m. performance (party tickets may be added to show price for an additional $60).

"As the world watches our nation's worst environmental disaster unfold, we are grateful to the cast and creators of Celebrity Autobiography who are making this contribution to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund possible," said Albert Ruesga, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. "In the short-term, proceeds from the Fund will support organizations on the ground providing critical services to fishermen and their families. In the long-term, the Fund will help coastal communities address the long-term effects of the spill."

Gary Solomon, Jr., managing director of Le Petit, adds, "We are very excited to bring this star-studded production into the intimate space of Le Petit's Main Stage in a way that helps our community. If we sell out the show, we could donate more than $10,000 to the victims of the oil spill. It's a great contribution by a stellar cast. It just proves that laughter is the best medicine - you never know what it's going to help heal - in this case it's our seafood industry."

Created and developed by Emmy award nominated writer-performer Eugene Pack and Dayle Reyfel, "Celebrity Autobiography" features a first-rate celebrity ensemble - here in New Orleans, it's Bryan Batt ("Mad Men"), Mario Cantone ("Sex and the City"), Jennifer Coolidge ("American Pie"), John Goodman ("Treme"), Ryan Reynolds (now in town shooting "Green Lantern"), Pack and Reyfel - performing from the actual memoirs of a wide range of celebrities. The passages run the gamut: from the shocking "romance tips" of Tommy Lee to the most famous Hollywood love triangle in history---ElizaBeth Taylor, Debbie Reynolds, and Eddie Fisher. And what's remarkable and unforgettably hilarious - it's all in their own words.

Running for three sold-out years in New York, "Celebrity Autobiography" won the 2009 Drama Desk Award in the category of Unique Theatrical Experience and the 2010 Bistro Awards. The show has been one of the most critically acclaimed productions ever in the Off-Broadway scene and one of the most "buzzed about shows" of recent years. Lauded as "the funniest docu-stunt of the year," by Time magazine and "side-splittingly funny" by the San Francisco Chronicle, the ever-changing cast offers a new take on celebrity tell-alls every time it's performed.

For ticket purchases and ticket information, patrons should contact the Le Petit Box Office at 504.522.2081 or visit www.lepetittheatre.com.

About the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund
The Greater New Orleans Foundation has established the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund to help support organizations on the ground providing critical services to fishermen and their families. The fund will support work that helps the communities most affected by the oil spill in Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Jefferson, Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. Short term, the fund is making emergenCy Grants to nonprofit organizations such as the Southeast Fisheries Assistance Center that are responding to immediate needs. Long term, the fund will help strengthen coastal communities against future environmental catastrophes and help them address the long-term effects of the spill. For more information, please visit www.gnof.org.

Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré, approaching its 95th season, continues its long history as a cultural icon in the New Orleans theatre and performing arts community. A launching place for young talent, a stalwart for local talent and a return stage for those who have gone on to further careers, Le Petit features a full season of traditional and new musical productions. In addition, Le Petit offers concerts, a daily film series and an eclectic mix of other productions in on both its Main Stage and the smaller Muriel's Cabaret Theatre. Recently named "Favorite Live Theatre" by Gambit Weekly, New Orleans Magazine and The Times-Picayune's 2010 Reader's Choice Awards. Named "Favorite Live Theatre Venue" by Where Y'at magazine.

 

Photo Credit: BWW-Staff