Elizabeth Claire Taylor Leads Finding Elizabeth Taylor At Gene Frankel Theatre

Leo Rising Productions is pleased to present FINDING Elizabeth Taylor, a multi-media homage to La Liz written and performed by Elizabeth Claire Taylor* as part of the 3rd Annual Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. The production will be held at The Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street, NYC, 10012 for six performances from June 15-25, 2011. Morgan Gould directs. AEA Approved Showcase. *Member, Actors' Equity Association.

What does it feel like to be the most beautiful woman in the world? THIS Elizabeth Taylor certainly doesn't know. Between skinny blond roommates, monstrous treadmills and an infamous pair of ill-fitting Bongo jeans, it's a wonder she can make it to her Overeaters Anonymous meeting on time. Channeling her celebrity namesake while on a journey of self-acceptance, will Elizabeth Claire Taylor ever find her true self because of, and despite, a legendary name?

"I had always heard of Elizabeth Taylor's commitment to AIDS research and diligent activism, but this was in the present looking back - it was only when I read a ton of biographies did I grasp how bold it was for her to speak out in the 1980's - when celebrity activism was unheard of, particularly in regards to something as taboo and shrouded in stigma as AIDS. When I realized the through-line of my solo play, Finding Elizabeth Taylor, was a call to arms for young women to refute the corporate blitz on their bodies and minds, I saw the link. I want to look back on my life and believe I did the best I could with the gift I was given. And my gift is my name."

FINDING Elizabeth Taylor is presented by Leo Rising Productions. Set & Lighting Designer: Ryan Seelig; Sound Designer: Chris Barlow; Publicist: Paul Siebold/Off Off PR.

FINDING Elizabeth Taylor plays for six performances on the following schedule: Wednesday, June 15th @ 6:00pm; Thursday, June 16th @ 5:00pm; Sunday, June 19th @ 4:00pm; Monday, June 20th @ 8:30pm; Wednesday, June 22nd @ 5:30pm; and Saturday, June 25th @ 6:30pm.

Director Morgan Gould is currently the Associate Director of Young Jean Lee's Theater Company where she has worked alongside Young Jean on: WE'RE GONNA DIE (Joe's Pub/ 13P), UNTITLED FEMINIST MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY SHOW (New Museum), the remount of PULLMAN, WA (PS122/ Chelsea Theater in London), LEAR (Soho Rep), as well as several tours of Young Jean Lee's award-winning show THE SHIPMENT. Recent work includes: Peter Gil-Sheridan's WHAT MAY FALL (FATC), Leah Hendrick's ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM (New York Fringe Festival) and more. Select assistantships include: Adam Greenfield (Madeleine George's THEZERO HOUR--13P), Davis McCallum (Greg Moss' PUNKPLAY--Clubbed Thumb), Pam MacKinnon (Bruce Norris' CLYBOURNE PARK--Playwrights Horizons), Sam Gold (Annie Baker's CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION--Playwrights Horizons), Paul Willis (Sheila Callaghan's CRAWL, FADE TO WHITE--13P), Daniella Topol (Sheila Callaghan's WATER OR THE SECRET LIFE OF OBJECTS), and Lisa Peterson (Naomi Wallace's TWENTY ONE POSITIONS). In addition to being a former member of the Lark Play Development artistic staff and a former Playwrights Horizons Directing Resident, Morgan is a member of New George's writer/ director lab, an Ensemble Studio Theatre resident director, and a member of the Lincoln Center Director's Lab.

Elizabeth Claire Taylor was born in sunny Southern California to parents who say they just 'happen' to name her after Hollywood's biggest and brightest star. Little did they know a family trip to New York City would soon change everything. Elizabeth caught the acting bug and eventually attended New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. Since graduation, Elizabeth has spent her evenings performing in such fabulous plays as THE EXONERATED, VAMPIRE LESBIANS OF SODOM, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF and her days working steadily as a professional plus-size model. However, what brings her the most joy is her solo play: FINDING Elizabeth Taylor, where her struggles with body image and sexuality are paralleled to the life of her famous namesake. She is currently working on a fashion forward clothing line for curvy women and recently finished her first screenplay, "Learning It The Hard Way." Free time, if any, is spent on eating disorder awareness and feminist activism. www.findingelizabethtaylor.com

The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity is New York‘s premiere eco-friendly/socially-conscious theatre festival. Fostering a diverse cross-section of performances, the festival seeks to inspire artists and audiences both creatively and fundamentally, in a festive atmosphere. At the heart of the festivity are like-minded individuals striving to create professional, meaningful theatre, while supporting organizations, which give back to the community at large. The Festivity will take place June 1st through the 26th at Gene Frankel Theatre (24 Bond Street) and The Robert Moss Theater at 440 Studios (440 Lafayette Street) in New York City. www.planetconnections.org.

Founded in 1985, amfAR is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research. With the freedom and flexibility to respond quickly to emerging areas of scientific promise, amfAR plays a catalytic role in accelerating the pace of HIV/AIDS research and achieving real breakthroughs. amfAR-funded research has increased our understanding of HIV and has helped lay the groundwork for major advances in the study and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $325 million in its mission and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide.

Tickets are $18 and can be purchased by visiting www.planetconnections.org.

The run time is 75 minutes with no intermission.

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