About this project
First Lady Laura Bush tries to enlist wives of the architects of the impending war in Iraq in a preemtive sex strike, but will she succeed?
CODE NAME: OPERATION LYSISTRATA! written and directed by Yvette Heyliger, with music composed and arranged by Larry Farrow and choreography by Yvonne Farrow, has been selected for Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, the premiere eco-friendly festival in New York City in a LIMITED RUN. SIX SHOWS ONLY: Tues. June 7 @ 8:15pm, Fri. June 10 @ 4:30pm, Sun. June 12 @ 1:30pm, Mon. June 13 @ 4pm, Thurs. June 16 @ 6pm and Sat. June 18 @ 6pm, 2011 at the Robert Moss Theatre, 440 Studios, 440 Lafayette Street, 3rd floor. Tickets are $ 18.00.
Code Name: Operation Lysistrata! is a full-length comedy inspired by Aristophanes' Lysistrata (prologue). This "what if..." play is set in the Lincoln Bedroom of the White House and stars the wives of the architects of the impending war in Iraq (yes, that's Laura Bush, Lynne Cheney, Alma Powell, Cherie Blair and friends!). It takes place in 2002 before Congress votes on Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution. Code Name: Operation Lysistrata! captures Aristophanes' strong anti-war message laced in the bawdy sexual humor so enjoyed by ancient, as well as present day audiences.
HELP US EXCEED OUR GOAL ON KICKSTARTER. Because this is my first time on Kickstarter, their "all or nothing" policy humbled me and I elected to low-ball my fund raising goal. (If you don't make your goal, you get nothing! ) But, if you know anything about theatre, as I'm sure you do, then you know that it costs more than the modest goal I have set, even for a bare-bones production!
WE ONLY HAVE THREE DAYS LEFT! There is no limit to how much money can be raised above our stated goal at Kickstarter. I hope that you will help us exceed our goal, as this will allow us to offer stipends to the actors above car fare, cover transportation costs for our choreographer/actor who is coming in from out-of-town, as well as an actor who will be commuting to rehearsals and shows. Your generosity will also enable us to pay for a publicist to market our show, as well as add/increase production values so that we can showcase the best product possible in Planet Connections Theatre Festivity.
We are honored to present Code Name: Operation Lysistrata! just a few short months prior to the tenth anniversary of the tragic events of September 11th and the first anniversary of the End of the War in Iraq. The show is dedicated to the memory of all the fallen in Iraq--both military and civilian.
On behalf of the entire company of Code Name: Operation Lysistrata! we thank you for your generosity and we hope you enjoy the Backer's Rewards we have offered as a Thank You! for your donation.
THE CAST
LAURA BUSH..............................................Pamela Jusino*
LYNNE CHENEY.........................................TBA
ALMA POWELL..........................................Yvonne Farrow*
JOYCE RUMSFELD....................................Leslie Lynn Meeker*
STEPHANIE TENET....................................Kate Konigisor*
SIGNIFICANT OTHER..................................Natasha Yannacañedo*
CHERIE BLAIR...........................................Terria Joseph*
STAGE MANAGER....................................Clark Jackson*
* Appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association (pending approval).
Production Stage Manager: Sirlouis Jones
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity Inc. is New York's premiere eco-friendly/socially conscious not-for-profit theatre festival. Fostering a diverse cross-section of performances, the festival seeks to inspire artists and audiences both creatively and fundamentally, in a festive atmosphere forming a community of like-minded artists. At the heart of the festivity are individuals striving to create professional, meaningful theatre raising social, cultural, political and environmental awareness. Visit: www.planetconnectionsfestivity.com.
ABOUT TWINBIZ
Twinbiz™ partners Yvette Heyliger and Yvonne Farrow (twins in the business), write, direct and produce original works for stage, television and film, which seeks to educate, entertain and serve. The twins have been selected to recieve the inaugural National Black Theatre Festival Emerging Producer Award in August. In February of 2011 Twinbiz launched the National Black HIV & AIDS Theatre Initiative, held annually on February 7th (National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day) in order to enlist black theatres and theatre artists nationwide to do more to combat this epidemic by reading or producing at least one play a season until HIV is eradicated in our communities. To commemorate and support their efforts, the Twins received a Resolution from the City of Los Angeles, recommended by Councilman Bernard Parks and signed by all City Council members. This is the debut of a Twinbiz production in Planet Connections Theatre Fesitvity. Visit www.twinbiz.com.
(Video Credits: photo of Laura Bush by Chris Greenberg, video by Alejandro Cruz featuring playwright Yvette Heyliger and music by Larry Farrow.)
FAQ
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Yes, we have been offered a new show! June 9th at 6:30pm.
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Yes, on Sunday, June 12th after the 1:30pm show. We have invited our charity, AdoptaPlatoon to attend, and hope they will.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on April 30, 2011.
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PRIVATE FIRST CLASS. Our thanks with the hope that you will buy a ticket to see the show and then spread the word to your family, friends and business associates!
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MASTER SERGEANT. Signed cast photo featuring [the actors who play] First Lady Laura Bush and the Wives of the Architects of the War in Iraq + your name listed as a supporter.
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CAPTAIN. One ticket to the performance of your choice + dozen of Stephie's Penis Cookies to share with your theatre companion (or not!) + your name listed as a supporter.
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MAJOR. Forty-five minute group step-dance lesson w/choreographer, OR forty-five minute group singing lesson of Battle Hymn of the Republic (both featuring Larry Farrow's arrangement of this unofficial anthem of the Republican National Convention). During the last fifteen minutes of the session, these two classes will combine to perform "Code Name: Operation Lysistrata's" show-stopping final number + your name listed as a supporter. Date and place to be announced.
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COLONEL. Signed copy of the play, "Code Name: Operation Lysistrata!" (found in Heyliger’s soon-to-be-released book, "What A Piece of Work Is Man!: Plays for Leading Women") + baker's dozen of Stephie's Penis cookies + your name listed as a supporter.
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BRIGADIER GENERAL. A state-side "ouzerie" experience hosted by [the actor who plays] Laura Bush and Company members. In Greece, an "ouzerie" is an eating and drinking establishment that specializes in the serving of ouzo (an anise-flavored spirit with a licorice taste) and the mezethes (small dishes of foods) that go with it + your name listed as a supporter. Date and place to be announced.
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MAJOR GENERAL. The coveted, "Above the Title” credit + your choice of one other reward.
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Award winning playwright, Yvette Heyliger's new play, CODE NAME: OPERATION LYSISTRATA! stars former First Lady Laura Bush. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bush's predecessor, was the star of Heyliger's acclaimed play, "Hillary and Monica: The Winter of Her Discontent." It would seem this playwright can't get enough of the White House!
A writer/director, Heyliger's "What Would Jesus Do?" a play with music about family, church, sex and HIV, won a whopping seven AUDELCO Recognition Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre including AUGUST WILSON PLAYWRIGHT AWARD for Heyliger and DRAMATIC PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR for producer, Billie Holiday Theatre. Heyliger directed her play, "The Valentine," in John Chatterton’s Short Play Lab. Her play, "A Better Wife," was selected for Girl Play: The Second Annual Lesbian Play Reading Festival and prior to that was presented in Where Eagle's Dare Short Play Lab. She was nominated Best Director for “Coming Clean” by Steven Shapiro in the Strawberry One-Act Festival. She has directed and presented her plays in multiple National Black Theatre Festivals, Midtown International Theatre Festival, Gloucester Stage Company, and Hollywood Court Theatre where she was honored with an NAACP Theatre Award nomination, Best Playwright, for her published play, "Autobiography of A Homegirl." Excerpts are in Smith and Kraus’ "The Best Women’s Stage Monologues 2003" and "The Best Stage Scenes 2003." Look for her new book, "What A Piece of Work Is Man!: Plays for Leading Women."
Heyliger and twin sister, Yvonne Farrow are producing artists with their own production company, Twinbiz. Heyliger has many professional, associate and community memberships including: Dramatists Guild, Broadway League, SDC, AEA, SAG, AFTRA, as well as League of Professional Theatre Women, Theatre Resources Unlimited, Harlem Arts Alliance, AUDELCO and The Field. Heyliger is an advocate for parity for women theatre artists.
