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| August 1, 2001 |
| TV Stars Eve Plumb, Charlene Tilton, and Patricia Harty Headline Debut Production of Award-Winning Infertility Play "Dish Babies" |
| Off-Broadway's Do Gooder Productions Presents Play in Studio City prior to this Fall's New York Run |
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EVE PLUMB, best known as Jan on "The Brady Bunch", takes on the weighty topic of a middle-aged woman (role of Megan) battling infertility in an effort to have a baby in the Off-Broadway-bound debut production of DISH BABIES. Also in the cast are Golden Globe nominee and People's Choice Awards-winner CHARLENE TILTON, best known as Lucy Ewing on "Dallas", in a multi-part comedic turn, and PATRICIA HARTY, Broadway veteran who starred in the title roles in TV's "Blondie" and "Occasional Wife," as the spiritual neighbor experienced in fertility issues. DO GOODER PRODUCTIONS presents the play at Studio City's Two Roads Theatre (4348 Tujunga Avenue, between Moorpark and Ventura) as a preview of its 8th Off-Broadway season in New York. DISH BABIES begins preview performances August 24th, opens August 31st. The play is directed by Justine Lambert. DISH BABIES is the semi-autobiographical work of KARLA JENNINGS of Decatur, Georgia, who endured a decade-long struggle to overcome infertility prior to giving birth to twins conceived via egg donation. JENNINGS describes the play as "a psychosexual romp through one woman's struggles to overcome infertility despite the odds." Also featured in the cast are L.A. actors Steve Heller, Bruce Nozick, and Ty Stoller. Sets and lights are by Keith Morrison, costumes by Jan Stuewe, and sound by Kenneth Nowell. EVE PLUMB is best known to audiences as Jan from "The Brady Bunch" and as Dawn from the television movie "Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway." A working actress from the age of six, she has also appeared in numerous television movies, series, and theatrical films including "Secrets of Three Hungry Wives," "The Night the Bridge Fell Down," "Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn," and "Little Women." The continued popularity of "The Brady Bunch" has led to her reprising the Jan role in "The Brady Brides," "A Very Brady Christmas," and "The Bradys." She appeared in a comedy role in the film "I'm Gonna Git U Sucka," and as herself in the film "And God Spoke." She has performed in productions at The Groundlings Theater including Your Very Own TV Show (with George McGrath), Girls Club (with Lisa Kudrow), and Cooking With Gas in addition to several Theater A-Go-Go productions such as The Last Freak Show and Manson: The Musical. Most recently, she played the mom on ABC's Saturday morning sitcom "Fudge." She can be seen as Professor Mason in the upcoming film Manfast by Tara Judelle. CHARLENE TILTON became an international award-winning actress (People's Choice Award and Golden Globe nomination) with her portrayal of Lucy Ewing on the highest-rated television series of all time "Dallas." She most recently starred on stage as Claire (a quadriplegic) in Whose Life Is It Anyway and as Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street. She has also appeared in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf on London's West End, The Foreigner (starring Imogene Coca and directed by Jerry Zaks), My Father's Vodka at the Roxy (produced by Lou Adler), and the long-running hit Tamara. She has done numerous guest star roles from comedies "Married with Children" and "Happy Days" to dramas and movies of the week. Tilton recently completed Safety Patrol, a Disney movie-of-the-week for ABC starring Leslie Neilson, and the feature films Bar Hopping (co-starring Kelly Preston and Tom Arnold) and the soon-to-be-released Peroxide Blonde (with Colin Mochrie). PATRICIA HARTY most recently guest starred on "N.Y.P.D. Blue," the feature film Dead Wrong, and the W.B.'s "Charmed," but made her professional debut on Broadway as the ingenue in Fiorello! She then went on to star in Noel Coward's Sail Away with Elaine Stritch and as Rosalie in Broadway's Oh Dad, Poor Dad... Most recently, Harty starred opposite Peter Marshall in the National Touring company of Neil Simon's Rumors, followed by a six month stint in Jerry Mayer's A Love Affair at the Santa Monica Playhouse. Other theater credits include starring in Neil Simon's National Touring company of I Ought To Be In Pictures with Bill Macy; Charity in Sweet Charity at the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre; Steve Allen's Off-Broadway musical Invade My Privacy, and Dames At Sea at the Northshore Playhouse and Cape Cod. Harty's television credits include "Search For Tomorrow" as Patti Tate; the title role in NBC's "Occasional Wife" (currently on the HA Cable Network); the title role in CBS' "Blondie"; "The Bob Crane Show," and the mini-series "Herbie, The Love Bug" with Dean Jones (currently on the Disney Channel). Harty has also starred on a number of television series including "Wiseguy," "Hardball," "Who's The Boss," "Glory Days," "Quantum Leap," and "Seaquest." Her television features include "Rules Of Marriage" with Elizabeth Montgomery, "What Are Best Friends For?" and "Who Was That Stranger?" Harty also starred in Ernest Pintoff's feature for Columbia Harvey Middleman, Fireman. DISH BABIES is the 1998 winner of Do Gooder Productions' New Playwright Award and is the third winner of that international competition to be headed for an Off-Broadway production. The New Playwright Award is open to authors whose work has not previously been presented on or Off-Broadway. DISH BABIES was selected as the winner from over five hundred scripts submitted by playwrights worldwide. The playing schedule for DISH BABIES is as follows: Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 7PM, with added performances on specific Thursdays at 8PM, Saturdays and Sundays at 3PM. For tickets call (818) 761-0704. Running time is 1 hour 45 minutes with one intermission. Tickets are$17.50-$20.00. DO GOODER PRODUCTIONS is an Off-Broadway forum for new plays for the professional stage and produces in partnership with designated charities. Since the 1994-95 season, Do Gooder has raised thousands of dollars for various charitable organizations and mounted seven Off-Broadway productions, six of which have been the Off-Broadway debuts for new playwrights. Several of the plays which received their professional debuts with Do Gooder have subsequently been published and received numerous regional and international productions. Among the plays which Do Gooder has contributed to the American professional theater are: Founding Artistic Director Mark Robert Gordon's My Soul is Mine: A Runaway's Story, Robin Rothstein's On Deaf Ears, Sidney Morris' The Magic Formula, and Pedro R. Monge's Trash. Do Gooder set a longevity mark for a not-for-profit Off-Broadway run with its 1998-99 New York production of then-75 year-old Alan Brandt's debut play 2 1/2 Jews, which Do Gooder has subsequently licensed for several regional productions and which is now being positioned for a Broadway production next season. Upcoming productions include an extended re-mounting of On Deaf Ears, and Gordon's R'fua: Healing. The New York production of Dish Babies will mark Do Gooder's first Off-Broadway staging since the 1998 opening of 2 1/2 Jews. Concurrent with that opening, Founding Artistic/Executive Director MARK ROBERT GORDON was seriously injured in a car-pedestrian accident while standing on a West 57th Street sidewalk in Manhattan. During his recovery, Gordon produced the company's year-long run of 2 1/2 Jews and subsequently coordinated several regional productions of the play. He resumed his acting career by returning to the stage in the Arizona and national production of 2 1/2 Jews ironically 2 1/2 years after his accident. He is currently in Los Angeles developing Dish Babies prior to its Off-Broadway run. |
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| April 18, 1999 |
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"2 1/2 JEWS" Extended For an Open-Ended Run
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Do Gooder Productions will extend its critically-acclaimed and hit serio-comedy 2 1/2 Jews at the Raymond J. Greenwald Theatre (307 West 26th Street). The production, which has already been extended 2 1/2 months, will now be extended for an open-ended run. [PLEASE NOTE: "Chaim's Love Song", which ran in rep with "2 1/2 Jews" at the Greenwald Theatre (produced by a different company), closed on February 21st.]
Commencing May 5th, the new performance schedule is as follows: Wednesdays @ 3:00 and 8:30, Thursdays @ 8:30, Fridays @ 8:30, Saturdays @ 5:00 and 8:30, Sundays @ 2:00 and 5:30. For tickets call Tele-Charge at (212) 239-6200. All tickets are $32.50 with 1/2 price day-of discounts at the theater box office for students, seniors, and artists of any genre. Running time is one hour thirty minutes with one intermission. [Note: through May 2nd the current performance schedule remains: Wednesdays @ 3:00 & 8:30, Saturdays @ 5:00 & 8:30, and Sundays @ 2:00.] 2 1/2 JEWS is a serio-comedy about fathers and sons wherein a prominent civil rights attorney is a schlemiel on the home court in his relationships with his intractable, aging father and budding lawyer son. The production is directed by Joe Brancato. 2 1/2 JEWS is the only play by Alan Brandt, who earlier in his life was the lyricist for several songs, including the standard That's All which was made famous in recordings by Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Mel Torme, Nat King Cole, et al , and most recently featured in the movie "The Wedding Singer". 2 1/2 Jews has received strong critical notice including the following: "[Alan Brandt's] understanding and compassionate debut play...sprinkled with lighthearted moments, remains an easy-to-watch cautionary tale...[T]he cast is well chosen...a particular delight."--The New York Times "A triple mitzvah...tear-stained, joke-filled, honest and loving."--NY Law Journal "Winning hit comedy...A happy surprise!"--NY-1 TV "Natural and often amusing."--The Jewish Standard Do Gooder Productions, now in its 5th season, is an Off-Broadway forum for new play development and works in partnership with designated charities for whom it has raised over $10,000 since 1995. The company produces Off-Broadway under an Actors' Equity Association contract. Notable past productions include Robin Rothstein's "ON DEAF EARS" ((1996) featuring Rosemary Prinz) and Mark Robert Gordon's "MY SOUL IS MINE: A RUNAWAY'S STORY" (1995); last season Tony Award-winning actor Michael Rupert marked his Off-Broadway directorial debut with the company. Do Gooder rounds out its season in the Summer with the debut of Karla Jennings' "DISH BABIES"--a psychosexual romp through one woman's struggles to overcome infertility; "DISH BABIES" is the 3rd winner of the company's New Playwright Award for an author whose work has not previously been presented on or Off-Broadway. |
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EDITORIAL AND REVIEW COVERAGE REQUESTED
PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST -30- |
| January 14, 1999 |
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"2 1/2 JEWS" Extended 2 1/2 Months Through May 2, 1999
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Do Gooder Productions will extend its critically-acclaimed and hit serio-comedy 2 1/2 Jews at the Raymond J. Greenwald Theatre (307 West 26th Street). The production, initially scheduled for a 2 1/2 month run, will be extended for an additional 2 1/2 months through May 2nd.
Commencing February 3rd, the new performance schedule is as follows: Wednesdays @ 3:00 and 8:30, Saturdays @ 5:00 and 8:30, Sundays @ 2:00. For tickets call Tele-Charge at (212) 239-6200. All tickets are $32.50 with 1/2 price day-of discounts at the theater box office for students, seniors, and artists of any genre. Running time is one hour fifteen minutes with one intermission. [Note: through January 31st the current performance schedule remains: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays @ 8:00, Wednesdays @ 2:00, Sundays @ 4:30 and 7:30.] 2 1/2 JEWS is a serio-comedy about a prominent civil rights attorney who is a schlemiel on the home court in his relationships with his intractable, aging father and budding lawyer son. The production is directed by Joe Brancato, sets are by David Harwell with lights by Jeff Nellis, costumes by Moe Schell, and sound by Johnna Doty. 2 1/2 JEWS is the only play by Alan Brandt, who earlier in his life was the lyricist for several songs, including the standard That's All which was made famous in recordings by Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Mel Torme, Nat King Cole, et al , and most recently featured in the movie "The Wedding Singer". 2 1/2 Jews has received strong critical notice including the following: "[Alan Brandt's] understanding and compassionate debut play which bares a man's flaws but shies from tragedy... 2 1/2 Jews, sprinkled with lighthearted moments, remains an easy-to-watch cautionary tale... [T]he cast is well chosen... a particular delight."--The New York Times (12/30/98) "Natural and often amusing... endearing."--The Jewish Standard (12/18/98) Do Gooder Productions, now in its fifth season, is an Off-Broadway forum for new play development and works in partnership with designated charities on its productions. The company has raised over $10,000 for its charities since 1995. The company produces Off-Broadway under an Actors' Equity Association Letter of Agreement contract. Notable past productions include Robin Rothstein's "ON DEAF EARS" ((1996) featuring Rosemary Prinz) and Mark Robert Gordon's "MY SOUL IS MINE: A RUNAWAY'S STORY" (1995); last season Tony Award-winning actor Michael Rupert marked his Off-Broadway directorial debut with the company. Do Gooder rounds out its season in the Spring with the Off-Broadway debut of Karla Jennings' "DISH BABIES"--a psychosexual romp through one woman's struggles to overcome infertility; "DISH BABIES" is the third winner of the company's New Playwright Award competition, open to authors whose work has not previously been presented on or Off-Broadway. |
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EDITORIAL AND REVIEW COVERAGE REQUESTED
PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST -30- |
| January 1999 |
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DO GOODER PRODUCTIONS TO EXTEND PERFORMANCES OF "2 1/2 JEWS" THROUGH APRIL 1998
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Do Gooder Productions kicked off its 5th Off-Broadway season with the play 2 1/2 JEWS by 75 year-old first-time playwright Alan Brandt. The production opened December 12th at the Raymond J. Greenwald Theatre (307 West 26th Street) and has received strong critical notice including the following from The New York Times (12/30/98): "[Alan Brandt's] understanding and compassionate debut play which bares a man's flaws but shies from tragedy...2 1/2 Jews, sprinkled with lighthearted moments, remains an easy-to-watch cautionary tale... [T]he cast is well chosen."
The playing schedule through February 7th is as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 7:30PM, with matinees on Wednesdays at 2PM and Sundays at 4:30PM. (Performances on Saturday February 6th will be at 7PM and 9:30PM). The playing schedule for February 8th-April 30th will be announced by January 12th. For tickets call Tele-Charge at (212) 239-6200. All tickets are $32.50 with a 1/2 price discount for artists of any genre. Running time is 1 hour 30 minutes with one intermission. 2 1/2 JEWS is a seriocomedy about a prominent civil rights attorney who is a schlemiel on the home court in his relationships with his intractable, aging father and budding lawyer son. The production is directed by Joe Brancato, sets are by David Harwell with lights by Jeff Nellis, costumes by Moe Schell, and sound by Johnna Doty. 2 1/2 JEWS is the only play by Alan Brandt, who earlier in his life was the lyricist for several songs, including the standard That's All which was made famous in recordings by Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Mel Torme, Nat King Cole, et al , and most recently featured in the movie "The Wedding Singer" (a bio and song title list available upon request). Do Gooder Productions is an Off-Broadway forum for new play development and works in partnership with designated charities on its productions. The 1998-99 season is the company's fifth and it has raised over $10,000 for its charities since 1995. The company produces Off-Broadway under an Actors' Equity Association Letter of Agreement contract. Notable past productions include Robin Rothstein's "ON DEAF EARS" ((1996) featuring Rosemary Prinz) and Mark Robert Gordon's "MY SOUL IS MINE: A RUNAWAY'S STORY" (1995); last season Tony Award-winning actor Michael Rupert marked his Off-Broadway directorial debut with the company. Do Gooder rounds out its 5th Off-Broadway season in the Spring with the Off-Broadway debut of Karla Jennings' "DISH BABIES"--a psychosexual romp through one woman's struggles to overcome infertility; "DISH BABIES" is the third winner of the company's New Playwright Award competition, open to authors whose work has not previously been presented on or Off-Broadway. |
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EDITORIAL AND REVIEW COVERAGE REQUESTED
PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST -30- |
| December 1998 |
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SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR "2 1/2 JEWS"
Do Gooder Productions Continues its Production at the Greenwald Theatre
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Do Gooder Productions kicked off its 5th Off-Broadway season with the play 2 1/2 JEWS by 75 year-old first-time playwright Alan Brandt. The production opened December 12th, and runs through February 7th at the Raymond J. Greenwald Theatre (307 West 26th Street). The play is directed by Joe Brancato.
The previously announced playing schedule has been modified (on Sundays) with performances as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 7:30PM, with matinees on Wednesdays at 2PM and Sundays at 4:30PM. (Performances on Saturday February 6th will be at 7PM and 9:30PM). For tickets call Tele-Charge at (212) 239-6200. All tickets are $32.50 with a 1/2 price discount for artists of any genre. Running time is 1 hour 30 minutes with one intermission [Note: a modification from the initial press release]. 2 1/2 JEWS is a seriocomedy about a prominent civil rights attorney who is a schlemiel on the home court in his relationships with his intractable, aging father and budding lawyer son. Featured in the cast are Richard M. Davidson, Sam Gray, and Tyagi Schwartz. Sets are by David Harwell with lights by Jeff Nellis, costumes by Moe Schell [Note: a modification from the initial press release], and sound by Johnna Doty. 2 1/2 JEWS is the only play by Alan Brandt, who earlier in his life was the lyricist for several songs, including the standard That's All which was made famous in recordings by Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Mel Torme, Nat King Cole, et al , and most recently featured in the movie "The Wedding Singer" (a bio and song title list available upon request).
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EDITORIAL AND REVIEW COVERAGE REQUESTED
PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST -30- |
| November 1998 |
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DEBUT WORK OF 75 YEAR-OLD PLAYWRIGHT RECEIVES OFF-BROADWAY PRODUCTION Do Gooder Productions Opens Season December 12th with "2 1/2 JEWS" |
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Do Gooder Productions kicks off its 5th Off-Broadway season with the play 2 1/2 JEWS by 75 year-old first-time playwright Alan Brandt. The play begins previews December 4th, opens December 12th, and runs through February 7th at the Raymond J. Greenwald Theatre (307 West 26th Street). The play is directed by Joe Brancato.
2 1/2 JEWS is a seriocomedy about a prominent civil rights attorney who is a schlemiel on the home court in his relationships with his intractable, aging father and budding lawyer son. Featured in the cast are Richard M. Davidson, Sam Gray, and Tyagi Schwartz. Sets are by David Harwell with lights by Jeff Nellis, costumes by Moe Schell, and sound by Johnna Doty. 2 1/2 JEWS is the only play by Alan Brandt, who earlier in his life was the lyricist for several songs, including the standard That's All which was made famous in recordings by Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Mel Torme, Nat King Cole, et al , and most recently featured in the movie "The Wedding Singer" (a bio and song title list follow). The playing schedule for 2 1/2 JEWS is as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 7PM, with matinees on Wednesdays at 2PM and Sundays at 4PM. (Performances on Saturday February 6th will be at 7PM and 9:30PM). For tickets call Tele-Charge at (212) 239-6200. All tickets are $32.50. Running time is 1 hour 30 minutes with one intermission. Do Gooder Productions is an Off-Broadway forum for new play development and works in partnership with designated charities on its productions. The 1998-99 season is the company's fifth and it has raised over $10,000 for its charities since 1995. The company produces Off-Broadway under an Actors' Equity Association Letter of Agreement contract. Notable past productions include Robin Rothstein's "ON DEAF EARS" ((1996) featuring Rosemary Prinz) and Mark Robert Gordon's "MY SOUL IS MINE: A RUNAWAY'S STORY" (1995); last season Tony Award-winning actor Michael Rupert marked his Off-Broadway directorial debut with the company. Do Gooder rounds out its 5th Off-Broadway season in the Spring with the Off-Broadway debut of Karla Jennings' "DISH BABIES"--a psychosexual romp through one woman's struggles to overcome infertility; "DISH BABIES" is the third winner of the company's New Playwright Award competition, open to authors whose work has not previously been presented on or Off-Broadway.
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| ALAN BRANDT | |
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ALAN BRANDT (Playwright ) was born in 1923. 2 1/2 Jews is his first play. He began the varied career that has preceded this production as a publicist, representing notables ranging from Howdy Doody to Harry Belafonte. In addition, he became the lyricist for songs, including the standard That's All. His work has been recorded by top singers, among them: Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Mel Torme, and Peggy Lee. He is a working member of Actors' Equity and Screen Actors Guild. Currently, as one of the more respected private dealers in the field, he is a major source of African and Oceanic art to museum and private collections.
2 1/2 Jews is a non-musical play; however, Mr. Brandt has previously written lyrics for many songs. The following Brandt titles are listed in the BMI music writers catalogue:
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All Man And All Mine And You Are Mine Bar Room Piano One Best Thing To Be Is A Person Blue Bird Butterfly Love The Circus Song Deserted Carousel Drink The Bitter Wine Erik Soya S 17 Forget It Forget It Funny World Heads Or Tails Hello Again Love Hello Love Help A Good Girl Go Bad Hey I Got An Idea I'll Teach You How To Cry Let's Love Momma Was There My Child's Child My Favorite Angel Night Holds No Fear For the Lord Nothing's Going On Below The Belt |
Open Up Your Arms And Let Me In Please Don't Call Me Chauncey Please Tell A Lie Practice Darling Practice Seashell Seventeen So Warm Your Words Sting Of The Bee Suddenly It's Springtime That's All (C'est Tout) That's All From Tootsie That's What I Live For Today Would Have Been Our Anniversary Tricks What A Team What Good Does It Do Me Now? Where's Daddy? Where The Heart Is Theme You Can't Get a Tahican in Mex You I'm A Gonna Marry You Know You Light The Shadows You Only Want A Lover You're Back Again |
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EDITORIAL AND REVIEW COVERAGE REQUESTED
PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST -30- | |
| September 1, 1997 |
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DO GOODER PRODUCTIONS OFFERS OFF-BROADWAY DEBUT PRODUCTION THROUGH ANNUAL COMPETITION |
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New York--A playwright who has not had a professional production of his/her work in New York will have a chance at that goal next season through Do Gooder Productions' New Playwright Award. The 4 season-old Off-Broadway company will accept scripts until December 1, 1997 for consideration in choosing its 1998 New Playwright Award winner. The play chosen will be given an Equity Off-Broadway (L.O.A.) production during the 1998-99 season.
The first annual winner of the competition, New York-based playwright Robin Rothstein, had her play On Deaf Ears mounted at the Kaufman Theater last Winter in a produciton which featured Rosemary Prinz and Gil Rogers and which The New York Times cited as "The work of a promising playwright." The 1997 New Playwright Award winner is New York-based Larry Kunofsky's The Lunch Anxieties, a zany comedy about four friends whose fears and desires are exposed during lunch. Lunch was chosen out of over 200 entries nationwide and will open at New York's Clurman Theatre in December. The award committee includes Broadway veterans Florence Stanley and Gil Rogers, retired Broadway columnist Joseph C. Koenenn, journalists Renee Kaplan and Annabelle Kerins, playwright and theater magazine publisher Pedro R. Monge-Rafuls, and the company's Artistc Director actor/playwright Mark Robert Gordon. Stanley, Rogers, Koenenn, and Gordon currently serve on the company's Artistic Advisory Board. English-language scripts by playwrights who have not had a professional New York production under a paid Equity Broadway or Off-Broadway contract (previous showcase productions do not disqualify) may be submitted by mail only to: Do Gooder Productions/359 West 54th Street, Suite 4FS/New York, NY 10019. All entries should include a stamped self-addressed envelope for retrn of scripts and a one-page biography. Each author may submit one full-length or an evening's worth of one-acts (submitted material may not be under option); translations, collaborations, and musicals are not accepted. The competition deadline is December 1, 1998. The winner will be announced in April 1998. |
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| November 22, 1996 | ||||||||||||||
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ANNOUNCING DO GOODER PRODUCTIONS' WINTER OFF-BROADWAY
PRODUCTION ROBIN ROTHSTEIN's "ON DEAF EARS" | ||||||||||||||
| Starring ROSEMARY PRINZ, CHEVI COLTON, and GIL ROGERS | ||||||||||||||
| New York--Rosemary Prinz, Chevi Colton, and Gil Rogers star in the world premiere of Robin Rothstein's hilarious and heartfelt comedy On Deaf Ears. The daily poolside powwows of two Jewish ladies are interrupted by Sadie's estranged daughter who arrives carrying a family secret and by Evelyn's ardent Irish suitor. They must learn to open their hearts and come to terms with the truth rather than live in fantasy and denial. Directed by John Ruocco. Net proceeds benefit A Living Memorial to the Holocaust-Museum of Jewish Heritage. Do Gooder Productions at the Martin R. Kaufman Theater, 534 West 42nd Street. Wednesday-Sunday @ 7:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday matinees @ 2:00 p.m. (no performance on 12/25 and 1/1; added performances Tuesdays 12/24 and 12/31 @ 7:00 p.m.). Tickets: $30. | ||||||||||||||
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| November 1, 1996 |
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DO GOODER PRODUCTIONS DONATES $6,500 IN PROCEEDS FROM LAST SEASON The Actors' Fund of America and the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families(CHCF) Benefit |
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New York--In an impromptu ceremony on October 29, 1996 in New York City's Duffy Square, Do Gooder Productions, the only Equity Off-Broadway (or Broadway) theater company to donate 100% of net production proceeds to designated charities, donated $6,500 to two charities representing proceeds raised from the 1995-96 season. The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families (an agency providing social services and advocacy for New York City's Latino population) received $1,500 as the beneficiary from Do Gooder's Fall 1995 production Ole! (3 Hispanic-theme One-Acts) while the Actors' Fund of America-AIDS Initiative received $5,000 as the beneficiary of Do Gooder's Winter 1995-96 production of Sidney Morris' The Magic Formula.
The charity beneficiaries are selected prior to a production by Do Gooder's Board of Directors after considering proposals by not-for-profit agencies, nominations by Board members and the playwrights of specific Do Gooder productions, and matching a particular theme in a play with a corresponding charitable agency. The donation checks were presented by actor/playwright Mark Robert Gordon (Do Gooder's Founding Artistic Director and currently co-starring in Off-Broadway's Grandma Sylvia's Funeral) and Broadway and recording star KT Sullivan (one of Do Gooder's Artistic Advisors). Do Gooder, now in its third season, presents limited engagement Off-Broadway productions under an Equity Letter of Agreement contract. The current 1996-97 season is produced in partnership with A Living Memorial to the Holocaust-Museum of Jewish Heritage (currently in construction in New York City's Battery Park). The company's next production will be Robin Rothstein's On Deaf Ears, which opens December 18th at the Kaufman Theater and features Rosemary Prinz, Chevi Colton, and Gil Rogers. |
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| September 16, 1996 |
| DO GOODER PRODUCTIONS OFFERS OFF-BROADWAY DEBUT PRODUCTION THROUGH NEW COMPETITION |
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New York--A playwright who has not had a professional production of his/her work in New York will have a chance at that goal next season under Do Gooder Productions' New Playwright Award.
The Off-Broadway company will accept scripts until November 15, 1996 for consideration in choosing its 1997 New Playwright Award winner. The play chosen will be given an Equity Off-Broadway (L.O.A.) production during the 1997-98 season. It will be the second New Playwright Award in the young company's history. The first award winner, Robin Rothstein, will see her play On Deaf Ears presented this December and January at the Martin Kaufman Theater on Theater Row (West 42nd Street). Do Gooder Productions is currently entering its third season and takes its name from the company's policy of donating net proceeds from its productions to charity. The company is also dedicated to producing plays that might not otherwise find a place on stage because of subject matter or other artistic risks involved. The award committee includes Broadway actresses KT Sullivan and Florence Stanley, director Jack Wrangler, retired Broadway columnist Joseph C. Koenenn, journalists Renee Kaplan and Annabelle Kerins, playwright Pedro R. Monge-Rafuls, and the company's Artistic Director actor/playwright Mark Robert Gordon. Sullivan, Stanley, Wrangler, Koenenn, and Gordon currently serve as the company's Artistic Advisory Board. Scripts by playwrights who have not had a professional production in New York may be submitted by December 1st to: Do Gooder Productions/359 West 54th Street, Suite 4FS/New York, NY 10019. All entries should include a stamped self-addressed stamped envelope for return of scripts and a one-page resume/biographical note. The winner will be announced in late February 1997. |
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| April 22, 1996 | ||||||||||
| DO GOODER PRODUCTIONS RAISES THOUSANDS FOR CHARITIES IN 1995 Four Equity Off-Broadway Productions Raise $6,500 | ||||||||||
| New York--Do Gooder Productions, the only Equity Off-Broadway (or Broadway) theater company to work in partnership with charities on every production, has announced that it raised $6,500 for charities in 1995. The 1995 charity beneficiaries are: | ||||||||||
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| The donated amounts were raised through the four Off-Broadway productions (under paid Equity contracts) which Do Gooder produced in 1995: | ||||||||||
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| The charity beneficiaries are selected by Do Gooder's Board of Directors after considering proposals by not-for-profit agencies, nominations by Board members and the playwrights of specific productions, and matching a particular theme in a play with a corresponding charitable agency. | ||||||||||
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| December 1, 1995 |
| DO GOODER PRODUCTIONS BRINGS MAGIC TO OFF-BROADWAY Sidney Morris' "The Magic Formula" at The Judith Anderson Theatre December 20-January 14 |
| A Benefit for: The Actors' Fund of America--AIDS Initiative |
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New York--Sidney Morris (If This Isn't Love) tells this tale, set in late-1940s Hollywood, of a Holocaust survivor who is reunited with the gay son he saved by sending to America prior to the war, only to find that his son, too, was a victim of the Holocaust. The father seeks to teach his gay son the power of learning to love one person--the assistant the father hires to help him prepare his "Magic Formula." The characters' respective issues of survival has a strong parallel message in the contemporary context of a community besieged (i.e., AIDS). Though this play is particularly relevant to Jewish and gay audiences, its message about the power of love surviving human tragedy has a universal appeal.
Michael Dunn Litchfield, Dominic Cuskern (A Perfect Ganesh), and Do Gooder's Artistic Director Mark Robert Gordon (author and star of last season's My Soul is Mine: A Runaway's Story) star. The Magic Formula runs December 20, 1995-January 14, 1996. Wednesdays-Sundays at 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. (the evening performances on Sundays December 24th and 31st will be held at 5:00 p.m.). Judith Anderson Theatre, 422 West 42nd Street. Tickets: $20.00. |
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| October 10, 1995 |
| DO GOODER PRODUCTIONS 1995-96 SEASON OPENS WITH OLE! Corresponding with Hispanic Heritage Month |
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New York--On November 8th, Do Gooder Productions begins an Equity Off-Broadway run of Ole! 100% of the net production proceeds will benefit the Committee for Hispanic Children & Families, an agency which provides social services and advocacy for the Hispanic population of New York City. Ole! is a production of original one-act plays providing a unique treatment of the Latino experience in the United States. Ole! runs November 8-26, 1995, Wednesdays-Sundays at 8:30 p.m. with matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. (no performance on Thanksgiving Thursday November 23rd; added performance Tuesday November 21st at 8:30 p.m.). Theatre on Three, 10 West 18th Street. Tickets: $15-18. Do Gooder Productions, now in its second season, produces Off-Broadway under an Equity L.O.A. contract and is the only Equity Broadway or Off-Broadway company that donates all profits from every production to designated charities. |
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| January 18, 1995 |
| DO GOODER PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL OFF-BROADWAY PRODUCTION: "MY SOUL IS MINE: A RUNAWAY'S STORY" |
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New York--On February 8, 1995 Do Gooder Productions begins a historic Off-Broadway charity benefit run of My Soul is Mine: A Runaway's Story. The play is the story of a gay runaway youth who takes refuge as a New York City street hustler. Influenced by the rhythm and poetry of the street, the runaway finds his own stride and, in the process, learns to accept his sexuality and gain control over his life. Written by and featuring Mark Robert Gordon, directed by Jon Michael Johnson. New York Film Academy Stage, 100 East 17th Street. February 8-April 2, 1995. Wednesday-Thursday at 7:00, Friday-Saturday at 7:00 and 10:00, Sunday at 7:00. Tickets: $22.50. Ticket and souvenir proceeds from the entire eight-week run of My Soul is Mine will benefit four agencies serving runaways and at-risk gay youth: The Neutral Zone, SafeSpace-The Center for Children + Families, Young Adults Against Drugs & Alcohol-Pride In Da Bronx, and the Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center-Youth Enrichment Services. Do Gooder Productions is the first Off-Broadway theater company in history dedicated to producing entire production runs as charity benefits. |
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Do Gooder's motivation for the "My Soul is Mine" project is found in the following statistics: 1.3 million runaway children live on the nation's streets each year. 1 out of 7 children will run away from home at least once between the ages of 10 and 18. (National Runaway Switchboard, 1992) 40% of gay and lesbian youths run away from home at least once. (Remafedi, Pediatrics, March 1987) Up to half of gay teens forced out of their homes engage in prostitution. (Savin-Williams, J. Adol. Health Care, March 1988) 80% of gay and lesbian youths report feeling isolated from family, peers, and people to talk to about their sexuality. (Hetrick-Martin Institute) Half of all gay and lesbian youths report that their parents rejected them due to their sexual orientation. (Remafedi, Pediatrics, March 1987) 26% of gay youth are forced to leave home because of conflicts with their families over their sexual identities. (National Gay & Lesbian Task Force) 30% of completed youth suicides are committed by self-identified gay and lesbian youths. In one study, 29% of gay males had attempted suicide, half reported multiple attempts. (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, 1989) 46% of self-identified New York City gay and lesbian youths report suffering gay-related violence from their families, peers, or strangers (primarily perpetrated by family members). (Hunter, J. Interpersonal Violence, Sept. 1990) 60% of young adult AIDS cases are among men who have had sex with men, having been infected as teenagers. (Centers for Disease Control, 1992) 26% of gay and lesbian youth are drug or alcohol dependent. (N.Y. State Psychiatric Institute, 1992) |