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Theatre Rhinoceros and Artful Circle Theatre present...
CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORDS
Starring HEDDA Lettuce as Joan Crawford
Created by RICHARD WINCHESTER
Written by MARK SARGENT
Directed by DONNA DRAKE
at Theatre Rhinoceros - Nov. 20, 2003 - Jan. 3, 2004
The taiTheatre Rhinoceros and the Artful Circle Theatre proudly present CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORDS, starring NYC drag superstar Hedda Lettuce as Joan Crawford, directed and choreographed by Donna Drake (original NYC production of A CHORUS LINE).
(PRWEB) November 3, 2003 --
Theatre Rhinoceros and Artful Circle Theatre present...
CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORDS
Starring HEDDA Lettuce as Joan Crawford
Created by RICHARD WINCHESTER
Written by MARK SARGENT
Directed by DONNA DRAKE
at Theatre Rhinoceros - Nov. 20, 2003 - Jan. 3, 2004
Theatre Rhinoceros and the Artful Circle Theatre proudly present CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORDS, starring NYC drag superstar Hedda Lettuce as Joan Crawford, directed and choreographed by Donna Drake (original NYC production of A CHORUS LINE). The tainted legend of Joan Crawford continues in the Artfull Circles drag romp musical comedy which began life in 1992 in an old converted SF fire department horse barn. Best described as MOMMIE DEAREST the Musical with a holiday theme, CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORDS has packed houses in SF, LA, Portland, Seattle and NYC (nominated for a Drama Desk award) for the last 10 years. Absent from SF stages since 1998, CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORDS is "coming home" to the mainstage at Theatre Rhinoceros - 2926 16th St. (Mission & So. Van Ness) Nov. 20, 2003 - Jan. 3, 2004. Previews: Nov. 20 and 21 @ 8:00 pm Thurs. & Fri. - (no press at previews please.) Opening Nights: Sat. Nov. 22 @ 8:00 pm and Sun. Nov. 23 @ 7:00 pm. Showtimes: Wed. - Sat. @ 8:00 pm / Sun. Eves @ 7:00 pm / Sun. Mats @ 4:00 pm (Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2003). There are no performances on Thanksgiving (11/27), Xmas Day (12/25) and New Years Eve (12/31). The show on 11/28 - Fri. will start at 8:30 pm). TIX: $15 - $25. STRAIGHT NIGHT OUT* - Thurs. Dec. 11 @ 8:00 pm.
Reservations: 415/ 861 5079. More info on the Rhino web site www.therhino.org
In CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORDS creator Richard Winchester and writer Mark Sargent have fashioned both a parody of and a tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood, when movie stars were the most important people on earth. The show takes place on Christmas Eve, 1944. Joan has recently been "fired" from MGM, and is looking forward to the live radio broadcast from her Brentwood mansion, to be hosted by her friend & gossip monger, Hedda Hopper. Suffice it to say the broadcast does not go well. Joan is plagued by problems including the never-ending arrival of uninvited celebrity guests such as the Andrews Sisters, Judy Garland, Gloria Swanson, Hattie McDaniel, Carmen Miranda and Ethel Merman who take over the spotlight to sing their favorite holiday songs. The broadcast itself ends in disaster when a surprise present from the children puts Mommie Dearest over the edge. The final mother/daughter confrontation will likely make many of those watching reconsider their familial relationships and long for the bosom of their own family. All this makes Christmas with the Crawfords a refreshing antidote for the anxiety-prone times that the holidays are for so many.
Visit the official CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORDS web site at www/actsf.com
This San Francisco production of CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORDS features a first-rate cast in this all-singing, all-dancing, -all drag, musical extravaganza! The fact that it is men impersonating Hollywoods leading ladies adds a certain "extra dimension" to the roles. The Show stars top NY drag performer HEDDA LETTUCE as Joan, Jef Valentine as Christina, David Bicha as Christopher Crawford, Mark Enea as Maxine Andrews / Carmen Miranda, Trauma Flintstone as Patty Andrews / Gloria Swanson, Matthew Martin as Baby Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) / Judy Garland, Mark Sargent as Laverne Andrews / Edith Head / Ethel Merman, Tom Shaw as Liberace, Nikki Starr as Hattie McDaniel and 'DREW TODD as Hedda Hopper. The production team includes: Costumes: Chris March, Lighting Design: Marci Ring, Set Design: Richard Winchester. The show was created by Richard Winchester and written by Mark Sargent. The show is directed and choreographed by DONNA DRAKE, with Musical Direction by JOSEPH DOUGLAS COLLINS.
DONNA DRAKE (director) began her career as a singer-dancer, making her Broadway debut with the original production of A CHORUS LINE. Other Bway.credits include: SOPHISTICATED LADIES (with Gregory Hines), WOMAN OF THE YEAR (with Lauren Bacall), 5678...DANCE (with Sandy Duncan) and the original production of, THE 1940'S RADIO HOUR. Her work has received Emmy & Drama Desk nominations, and a Theatre World award. As a director/choreographer her credits include: Broadway - ROMANCE IN THE DARK, starring Jennifer Holliday; Off Broadway - BOOBS- THE MUSICAL, SPLENDORA, BESSIE SMITH- DOWNHEARTED BLUES also starring Jennifer Holliday, CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORDS NYC '00-'02. She is currently working on a new musical for Bway. - PASSIN THRU, starring Rachel York, and a new play NEITHER HERE NOR THERE, with Julie Halston (GYPSY) & Everett Quinton (IRMA VEP).
Hedda Lettuce (Joan) is a five-time HX DRAG QUEEN OF THE YEAR AWARD winner. Hailing from NYC, she performs at cabaret venues including Caroline's on Broadway, FEZ, and the Chelsea Clearview Movie Theater where she hosts a Classic Movie night. She is also the creator of the popular drag country singing trio - THE DIXIE CHICKS WITH DICKS. Heddas screen credits include TO WONG FOO, FLAWLESS (with Robert DeNiro), THE LOOK (with Carol Alt). She has appeared on TV shows: SEX AND THE CITY, THE ROBIN BIRD SHOW, OPRAH and recently on 20/20 with Barbara Walters. Starring Off-Broadway - SERVICEMEN, directed by Sean Mathias and SLEEPING WITH STRAIGHT MEN (with Mink Stole) - directed by Ronnie Larsen. She also has produced off-off Broadway shows including, SEX, LIES AND DUCT TAPE, Heddas Christmas show - LETTUCE REJOICE and most recently her stand-up tour-de-force, MISS LETTUCE IF YOURE NASTY! She hosts high-profile charity events such as BROADWAY BARES, THE HX AWARDS and has performed with Joy Behar, Joan Rivers, Caroline Rhea and with Madonna for the MTV Music Awards (1999).
To purchase tickets, call the Rhino Box Office at 415/ 861- 5079 or www.therhino.org
To arrange interviews w/ members of the production, call Lawrence Helman at 415/ 661 -1260
CALENDAR EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
WHAT: Theatre Rhinoceros and Artful circle Theatre present...
CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRAWFORDS
Starring HEDDA LETTUCE as Joan Crawford / Created by RICHARD WINCHESTER
Written by MARK SARGENT / Directed by DONNA DRAKE
WHEN: Play Dates: Nov. 20, 2003 - Jan. 3, 2004
Previews: Previews: Nov. 20 and 21@ 8:00 pm Thurs. & Fri.
Opening Nights: Opening Nights: Sat. Nov. 22 @ 8:00 pm & Sun. Nov. 23 @ 7:00 pm
STRAIGHT NIGHT OUT * - Thurs. Dec. 11 @ 8:00 pm
WHERE: Theatre Rhinoceros - 2926 16th St. (Mission & So. Van Ness) in SF
SHOW TIMES: Wed. - Sat. at 8:00 pm
Sun. Eves at 7:00 pm
Sun. Matinees - 4:00 pm - (Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2003)
There are no performances on Thanksgiving (11/27), Xmas Day (12/25) and New Years Eve (12/31). The show on 11/28 - Fri. will start at 8:30 pm).
TIX PRICES: $15 - Previews & Wed. / $20 - Thurs. / Sun. Mat & Eves. / $25 - Fri. & Sat.
BOX OFFICE: For Tickets Call - 415/ 861- 5079 or visit the web site www.therhino.org
*Straight Night Out at Theatre Rhino. Just like ACT and Berkeley Rep have a Night Out for gay people, we now have a Straight Night Out for straight people. It's our way of cultivating our straight audience and giving them a night out with the lovable Queers at Theatre Rhino. A post performance wine and cheese reception is included.
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LAWRENCE HELMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS - E MAIL - helman@mindspring.com
1559 23rd Avenue - San Francisco, CA 94122 - Ph. / Fax: 415/ 661- 1260 - DO NOT PUBLISH #
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