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Joan Rivers Workshops Project at Magic Theatre 8/21-9/2

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San Francisco's Magic Theatre is proud to announce Joan Rivers, the acclaimed comedienne and TV host, will be at the Magic starring in a two-week work-in-progress presentation of her new autobiographical play with the working title The Joan Rivers Theatre Project; performances are August 21 – September 2.

The play is written Joan Rivers, Doug Bernstein, and Denis Markell; directed by Mark Rucker; and will star Rivers, alongside a cast of local favorites: Carrie Paff, Susannah Livingston, and Lucas Rocco Alifano.

"In this comedy set in a dressing room just before Hollywood's biggest award show, Joan must muster all her strength and ingenuity to survive yet another year," state press notes, "The network has a new entertainment director and if this year's puny cheese platter is any indication, Joan is in big trouble. The creative team will continue developing the piece through its two-week limited run and presentations will be followed by a talkback with Rivers as a part of the process…

"Although most prominently known as an Emmy Award-winning on-screen personality and entrepreneur, Rivers has had a long and acclaimed career as a stand-up comedienne with her signature brand of outrageous, no-holds-barred humor. Rivers traveled the world with her one-woman show Broke and Alone and received a Best Actress Tony Award-nomination for her Broadway appearance in Sally Marr and Her Escorts, which she also co-wrote. The Joan Rivers Theatre Project brings together what Ms. Rivers does best: high-energy, character-driven comedy with hilarious insights of today's pervasive celebrity culture. Ms. Rivers will use this workshop production to test her play in front of audiences and to develop the piece in preparation for a fully-produced world premiere production."

Performances are August 21 – September 2; Wednesdays – Saturdays at 8PM; Sundays at 2:30 & 7PM at Magic's Sam Shepard Theatre (Bldg D, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco at Marina Blvd and Buchanan St). Tickets are $40 limited premium seats and $25 general (student, senior, educator discounts available) and are available at 415-441-8822 or www.magictheatre.org.

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