Ben Rimalower Brings PATTI ISSUES to Feinstein's at the Nikko

Celebrate the 2017 Tony Awards and seven-time nominee, musical theater diva Patti LuPone with Patti Issues, the acclaimed solo play from writer/performer Ben Rimalower performing at Feinstein's at the Nikko on Friday, June 9 (8 p.m.) and Saturday, June 10 (7 p.m.). When Ben was eight years old, his father came out of the closet and left his family in tatters. Amid the chaos of his young life, Ben found comfort-like so many gay boys before him-in musical theater, and specifically in the transportive voice of Broadway star Patti LuPone. With a mix of comic irreverence, stark candor and backstage show-biz bravado, Patti Issues poignantly explores the challenges facing LGBT parents and children while shining a unique light on our obsessions with divas. Since opening in 2012, Rimalower has performed Patti Issues world-wide, garnering universal praise from critics and fans alike including Andy Cohen, Billy Eichner, Tony Kushner, Alan Cumming, Laurie Metcalf, Michael Kors, Justin VivIan Bond, Perez Hilton and even Ms. LuPone herself! Patti Issues is written and performed by Ben Rimalower and directed by Aaron Mark. Tickets for Ben Rimalower range in price from $17.50-$45 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketfly.com.

Ben Rimalower is the author and star of Off-Off-Broadway's long-running, critically acclaimed, smash hit solo plays Bad with Money (The Advocate's #1 Solo Show of 2014) and Patti Issues (New York Times Critics Pick, M.A.C. and Bistro Awards, Official Selection: Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Summer Conference), both of which he continues to perform around the world, while simultaneous regional productions pop up with other actors "playing" Ben Rimalower, including two-time Tony nominee Robin De Jesus in New York. His "Do You Have Patti Issues?" PSA with Alan Cumming and Patti LuPone was a homepage selection on FunnyOrDie. He is a regular contributor to Vulture, Playbill, Out, Time Out New York, Decider and New Now Next and his short story, Little Old Sam, was included in the book My Dog, My Friend. Patti Issues will soon be available both in print and as an audiobook.

As an actor, Ben has been seen at Joe's Pub in Our Hit Parade, and Murray Hill's Oscar Night show, as both Patti LuPone and Elaine Stritch in You Like Me and as a literally flaming Jack Nicholson in The Witches of East Village at the Gramercy Theatre with Coco Peru and Chad Michaels, in addition to the upcoming The Night Elaine Stritch Died by Matte O'Brien. Television appearances include Bravo TV's "Watch What Happens Live," ABC's "Extreme Makeover" and Billy Eichner and Rachel Dratch's "Halloween Adventure."

Ben directed and produced the Off-Broadway plays Joy (Actors Playhouse, Out Magazine: "Top Ten Theatre") and The Fabulous Life of a Size Zero (Daryl Roth/DR2 Theatre), as well as numerous Off-Off-Broadway plays, readings, benefits and concerts. He has earned the title the "Midas of Cabaret" (The Advocate) helming a slew of solo shows, most notably conceiving and directing Leslie Kritzer is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches (Time Out New York Award) and subsequently producing Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight Records' long-awaited recording, Patti LuPone at Les Mouches.

Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko presents a wide range of entertainers from stage and screen all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. There is a $20 food and beverage minimum per person inside the showroom which guests can use towards cocktails as well as a variety of small plates crafted exclusively for Feinstein's at the Nikko, through Restaurant Anzu. Cheese and dessert platters will also be available in the showroom.

Guests of Feinstein's at the Nikko can enjoy a variety of food and beverage options before performances. Kanpai Lounge, located in Hotel Nikko's lobby, offers light cuisine, a full bar and specialty cocktails. Restaurant Anzu, Hotel Nikko's intimate restaurant located on the second floor, serves sustainable California cuisine enhanced with Asian flavors. Restaurant Anzu will also offer Feinstein's at the Nikko guests a special three-course prix-fixe dinner ($45 per person) prior to all performances. Reservations can be made by calling (415) 394-1100.

For additional information on Ben Rimalower, visit www.benrimalower.com

For additional information on Feinstein's at the Nikko, visit: www.feinsteinsatthenikko.com.

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