Actor Valerie David Smashes Cancer Twice In Her Award-winning Solo Show THE PINK HULK

Award-winning actor, playwright and two-time cancer survivor Valerie David is bringing her critically acclaimed, comical one-woman show The Pink Hulk: One Woman's Journey to Find the Superhero Within to Dance Naked Production's Come Inside Festival in October, which details Ms. David's battle with cancer and how she beat the odds to become cancer-free. She is thrilled to debut her show in Portland after just returning from a successful European tour: The Pink Hulk received The WOW Award from Sweden's Gothenburg Fringe Festival. And in September, her inspiring play was a finalist in the New York New Works Festival on Theatre Row.

Ms. David wrote The Pink Hulk after being diagnosed with cancer twice-"hulking out" and conquering it both times-first being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and then breast cancer 15 years later. Bringing The Pink Hulk to this particular festival is especially significant to Ms. David, as her breast cancer had a negative impact on her self-confidence as a woman and her ability to feel desired. But through her strength, determination, the support of family and friends, and finding her superhero within, Ms. David celebrates who she is, both inside and out, and wants to spread those crucial messages of self-acceptance of one's physique and to empower those suffering from not-often-talked-about psychological effects of cancer treatment. Her comical take on a very real and scary subject matter is sure to have audience members laughing out loud, to capture their emotions, and to inspire them to find their own inner superheroes-and this show is not just about cancer-it's about fighting back from any adversity in life.

And The Pink Hulk also has plenty of humor and comedy-guaranteed!" Ms. David exclaims. After all, a second cancer diagnosis means only one thing: Time to get laid! See the show to find out if she has a "happy ending"! And this sure is a perfect theme for the Come Inside Festival!

Ms. David has been performing and touring the U.S. with The Pink Hulk for two years in 24 different venues, and has won several awards along the way. The Pink Hulk has received rave reviews, including one from Cincinnati CityBeat: Valerie David's journey to take back control from the cancer that threatened to steal her femininity is entrancing and inspiring. Her "Pink Hulk" is certainly a modern-day superhero."

This one-woman show is making a difference in people's lives-a woman with MS, spouses of cancer patients and survivors, health care professionals, those facing any challenge in their lives have come up to her following her performances to say how inspired they feel.

The Pink Hulk: One Woman's Journey to Find the Superhero Within
Written and Performed by Valerie David; Directed by Padraic Lillis

Wednesday, October 10, at 7 p.m.
Friday, October 12, at 5 p.m.
Saturday, October 13, at 4 p.m.
Sunday, October 14, at 6 p.m.

CoHo Theater
2257 NW Raleigh Street
Portland, OR 97210

Tickets:
https://www.merctickets.com/events/57361194/the-pink-hulk-oct-10-14
$15 advance; $20 at door; festival passes available

60-minute solo show with mature content. Cash donations are being accepted after each performance to benefit Breast Friends of Oregon
Audience talkbacks to follow each performance

For more info and to book The Pink Hulk,
visit http://pinkhulkplay.com
For awards/accolades info, visit http://pinkhulkplay.com/accolades/
Media Kit: http://pinkhulkplay.com/home/media/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pinkhulkplay

VALERIE DAVID (Writer/Performer), a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and James Madison University in Virginia, has been touring the United States performing The Pink Hulk in multiple festivals and special engagements. She is overjoyed to be performing The Pink Hulk both domestically and internationally. Ms. David, who has been cancer-free since 2015, wrote the autobiographical comedic drama The Pink Hulk to express the empowerment she felt being able to find humor and superhero inner strength going through two bouts of cancer-first Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and then breast cancer 15 years later. She raises money through The Pink Hulk performances for local and global cancer organizations. She is currently writing a new solo show about her father's family fleeing Iraq in 1941 due to religious persecution.

Padraic Lillis (Director) is the founding Artistic Director of The Farm Theater. He was awarded Best Direction of a Solo Show for Valerie's The Pink Hulk solo show at Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. Padraic has also been awarded the NY IT Award for Outstanding Director for Lindsay Joy's Rise and Fall of a Teenage Cyberqueen, Overall Excellence Award from NY International Fringe Festival for Lee Kaplan's Bully, Best Overall Production of a Solo Show and Planet Advocate Award for his solo show addressing suicide awareness Hope You Get To Eleven or What are we going to do about Sally? His film Hand Over Hand, which he wrote and directed, was awarded Best Short Film at the Milan International Film Festival. He is a member of the LAByrinth Theater Company and a lifelong Yankee fan.

Come Inside 2018 is a festival of sex-positive performances from across the spectrum of sexual identity. Illuminating, inclusive, and often hilarious, these stories are told with emotional intimacy and theatrical flair. Come inside and connect with a cadre of salacious storytellers offering curative comedy, thought-provoking erotica, and stimulating post-show conversations.

PHOTO CREDIT: Dixiezetha Azarine Florinda Thamrin of Dixie Thamrin Photography