AMERICAN DRAG To Benefit Special Olympics

Epic Theatre Company's World Premiere of "American Drag" written and directed by Kevin Broccoli will be donating a portion of its proceeds to the Special Olympics.

The play, which opens April 12th at 82 Rolfe Square in Cranston, focuses on a group of Greek gods stranded in America who team up with some American legends to compete in a drag competition and save the spirit of America.

"We typically donate the proceeds from our opening weekends to a charity," says Broccoli, Epic's Artistic Director, "And when we heard about the cuts to Special Olympics, it seemed obvious which charity would most benefit this time around."
Currently, Betsy DeVos, the Secretary of Education, is proposing a $17.6 million dollar cut in funding for Special Olympics.

From the Special Olympics website:

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

"One of my friends made the point that while getting mad about this is understandable and necessary, what we also need to do is make sure we all pitch in to ensure that this program isn't hurt should these cuts go through," says Broccoli, "Even if they don't, this is an organization that does exemplary work and should be recognized for it. It's sad that it's getting exposure for this reason, but while there's a spotlight, we might as well use it to help raise funds."

American Drag is being performed at Theater 82, located at 82 Rolfe Square, where Epic is the Resident Theater Company from April 12th - 27th. Tickets are $20 General Admission, $15 Seniors, and $10 for Students.

For tickets and information, go to https://www.artists-exchange.org/events