EXIT Theatre Cancels DIVAfest Show STEALTH DIVA 4/11, 4/25

By: Gabrielle Sierra Feb. 27, 2009

EXIT Theatre's upcoming DIVAfest is temporarily short one show. The staged reading of Sean Owens' Center Square, a one-person show about the late comedian and "Hollywood Squares" star Paul Lynde, has been cancelled after EXIT Theatre received a "cease and desist" letter from the current licensee of the Lynde rights, Matzoball Entertainment LLC of West Hollywood, CA.

According to Matzoball, The Estate of Paul Lynde controls and owns the rights, image and likeness of the late actor. The estate, the letter states, does not give permission of the trademarked and copyrighted name Paul Lynde to anyone other than Matzoball Entertainment. "The family is adamant about the portrayal of Mr. Lynde and asks that you cease and desist from performing any and all performances and using the name Paul Lynde in any and all Advertising immediately," the letter concludes.

A staged reading of "Stealth Diva" Sean Owens' now-forbidden Lynde play was to have been performed on April 11 and 25 at EXIT Theatre as part of DIVAfest. Artistic Director Christina Augello says the EXIT has not yet picked a replacement for the Owens show.

EXIT Theatre's 2009 DIVAfest, features the work of established and emerging women writers, directors, and performers. The 8th Annual DIVAfest runs at the EXIT Theatreplex, 156 Eddy Street, in downtown San Francisco, Thursdays through Saturdays, April 2nd through 25th.

Featured at this year's DIVAfest is a fully staged production of An Affair of Honor, the latest play by Lee Kiszonas, directed by Kathryn Wood.

Other DIVAfest events include the reading of Samsara, a new play by Lauren Yee, author of Ching Chong Chinaman; readings by beat poet Diane di Prima; and the return of DIVA Cabaret, with songs by Sean Owens and Don Seaver, and featuring songstress Shannon Day.

EXIT Theatre, 156 Eddy Street, San Francisco. (415) 673-3847, www.theexit.org.

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