JMU Grad Returns to Her Roots Performing in The Shenandoah Fringe

Manhattan-based Actor and Playwright Valerie David, who is a JMU graduate and Virginia native, is bringing her critically acclaimed, comical one-woman show to the Shenandoah Fringe in Staunton, Va. The Pink Hulk: One Woman's Journey to Find the Superhero Within is about Valerie becoming a two-time cancer survivor, and how she beat the odds by finding her inner super powers.

Now battling breast cancer after fighting off lymphoma, Valerie does something most people facing cancer for the second time in their life probably wouldn't think of doing. With a fear that she might lose the girls, she takes them out for one last hurrah. And does Valerie succeed? Is there a "happy ending"? Come see the show to find out! This sexy, adventurous solo show follows Valerie's journey to seek her own "hulk-like" strength to find her superhero within. An empowering and true story of inspiration! With plenty of humor-guaranteed!

Valerie David wrote The Pink Hulk after being diagnosed with cancer not once, but twice-"hulking out" on cancer and conquering it! Her comical take on a very real and scary subject matter is sure to capture the audience's emotions.

"My show is not just about fighting cancer; it has a universal message of fighting back from any adversity in life with its inspirational message of hope and empowerment," Ms. David explains. And what makes it stand out is both its humor and honesty.

Ms. David has been performing and touring the country, as The Pink Hulk has been accepted into 19 different play festivals in a year and a half's time winning several awards along the way, and she is thrilled to be returning to Virginia, where she grew up!

One of Ms. David's most memorable moments came after a performance where a woman who was currently undergoing chemotherapy told her, "Your show empowered me to fight my cancer."

Four months later, the same woman reached out to her and said, "I am starting radiation today and thinking about your show, and need you to send me your Hulk powers."

"I don't think you can ask for anything better than that from the gift of theater and what the arts can do: Make a difference," Ms. David said. "My heart soars knowing that I am helping and inspiring others...to believe we all have a superhero inside ourselves-we are stronger than we think-and we can overcome the adversities we face in life."

The Pink Hulk: One Woman's Journey to Find the Superhero Within
Written and Performed by Valerie David
Directed by Padraic Lillis
SHOW SCHEDULE
Sunday, April 8, at 7:15 p.m.
Monday, April 9, at 3 p.m.
Tickets: $10 Gen Admission/$20 VIP
http://www.shenfringe.com/

The Kettle Stage
19 W. Beverley Street, 2nd Floor
Staunton, VA 24401

60-minute solo show with mature content

For more info and to book The Pink Hulk, visit http://pinkhulkplay.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/pinkhulkplay

Valerie David (Writer/Performer), a graduate of James Madison University and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan, has been touring the United States performing The Pink Hulk in multiple festivals and special engagements. 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 domestic and international cancer organizations.

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? He is a member of LAByrinth Theater Company and a lifelong Yankee fan.

Photo: Courtesy of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center