
Yes, the title is provocative! So is the book by the same name, the autobiography of Lady May Lawford, Rat Packer Peter Lawford's VERY colorful--scandalous--mother. I fell in love with Lady Lawford and her book four years ago, wrote my first full-length play based on it, and now, miracle of miracles--it has been accepted to the New York International Fringe Festival, which takes place the last two weeks of August, 2009!
FringeNYC provides the venue and some PR (not a lot)--but the rest is up to the show's creators, or, in this case, me. I am not connected to a theatre company, have no producing partners, and am currently unemployed. You get the picture.
I am blessed to know generous people who have already pitched in. Graphic design is being donated by my talented brother-in-law; free PR consultation from a kind fellow-actor; the registration fee ($550!),a gift from a dear friend--the attached video was a donation--and that's just the start. The show will be counting on students and interns and friends to donate their time and hard work in exchange for experience as the show's crew.
But "Bitch" still needs at least $5,000 for: lighting and sound design, set and props, insurance (required by Union), director, stage manager and actor fees (required by Union), costumes, scripts and programmes, posters, photos, and 50 hours of rehearsal space--all of which doesn't come cheap in NY.
This is a wonderful opportunity, a chance to realize a dream. I really believe in this project but I can't do it alone. Please help me by becoming a patron of the arts! And thanks!
Project location: New York, NY
A Big Fat Thank-you! Yay YOU!
A listing in the programme, with Sincere Thanks--Double-Yay YOU!
I WILL BE CLEOPATRA, an autobiography, signed by Zoe Caldwell (to Alessandra--know anyone named Alessandra?)
INCLUDE ME OUT, an autobiography by Farley Granger, autographed by the author
33 VARIATIONS programme from the Broadway show, autographed by Jane Fonda (to Charlotte--yes, folks, I will give it up for this Bitch!)
Cast photo from the TV series "Wings", autographed! (Tim Daly, Tony Shaloub, David Schramm, et al)
One "Bitch! the play" Tshirt, size L only, white with red logo
The above plus a copy of BITCH (the Autobiography of Lady Lawford), published by Branden Books
One "Bitch! the play" Tshirt, plus a Copy of THE BRIGHT LIGHTS, a memoir, by Marian Seldes, autographed
One "Bitch! the play" Tshirt, plus A CHALLENGE FOR THE ACTOR, by Uta Hagen, autographed
One "Bitch! the play" Tshirt, plus An autographed poster from the Broadway production of AVENUE Q
One "Bitch! the play" Tshirt, plus An autographed poster from THE PHILANTHROPIST, starring Matthew Broderick
One "Bitch! the play" Tshirt, plus The Autobiography of Ethel Merman, autographed
One "Bitch! the play" Tshirt, plus Autographed poster from BORN YESTERDAY, starring Madeline Kahn and Ed Asner
One "Bitch! the play" Tshirt, plus a playbill from THREE TALL WOMEN, autographed by Marian Seldes AND Edward Albee. . .quite the collector's item!
One "Bitch! the play" Tshirt, plus a PSYCHO BEACH PARTY lobby poster, autographed by Charles Busch
One "Bitch, the play" Tshirt, a copy of BITCH (the Autobiogaphy of Lady Lawford), and the back page of the programme to BITCH about anything you want! (or just say something you want to say)...
CHARLOTTE BOOKER is an actress who has appeared on stage, television, and film. She has just finished writing her first full-length play, BITCH!, adapted from the Autobiography of Lady May Lawford, (book published by Branden Books, www.branden.com). It is scheduled for the New York International Fringe Festival in August, 2009.