Rick Crom (Urinetown, The Goodbye Girl), Marina Franklin ("Chappelle's Show") and Erica Watson (upcoming film Push) headline A Hip-Hop Def Comedy Jam at the Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal Street) on Sunday, June 7, 2009 from 4:00 pm until 6;30 pm. Presented by the production team behind the new play Twin Towers, the event benefits the New York-based non-profit ENACT, where actors use role-play and drama therapy techniques to help New York City students learn emotional and social skills.
The evening will include comedy and poetry from TV and stage stars as well as music, ranging from rap to hip-hop to R&B, from the new play Twin Towers. Jessica Kirson (HBO and Comedy Central); Erin Jividen (one-woman show Down the Rabbit Hole); 7 Profitz, Long Island's progressive and political hip-hop group; and the cast of Twin Towers -- Kena Anae, Jason Hurt, Patricia Gibson, Myla Flores, Quatis Tarkington and Lauren Kelston - are slated to perform alongside Crom, Franklin and Watson.
A Hip-Hop Def Comedy Jam is made possible by the production team for the play Twin Towers, which premieres June 12th as part of the Planet Connections Theater Festivity at the Robert Moss Theater at 440 Studios (440 Lafayette, 3rd Floor). Each show in the festival benefits a non-profit of the producer's choosing. "This fundraiser will give audiences a taste of what to expect in the play Twin Towers, and raise money for a great cause," says playwright Damian Wampler. A Hip-Hop Def Comedy Jam offers a sneak peak at the music, energy and lyricism of the Twin Towers production, which is set in the Bronx and features a predominantly African American cast.
A Hip-Hop Def Comedy Jam and the production of Twin Towers benefit ENACT, which uses professional teaching artists to inspire and educate urban youth using drama therapy techniques. "ENACT shows that everyone has the power to make change in the world, as long as they recognize that the skills they have are valuable," says Suzanne Lee, the play's liaison at ENACT, "It might take creativity, collaboration and patience, but everyone can do their part to improve the lives of others. ENACT uses actors, but everyone has a gift that they can bring to others or a story they can use to inspire change."
Regular admission, including two hours of comedy and music, is available for a $10 donation. Front row VIP seats are available for a $20 donation. To reserve tickets, E-mail fundraiser@twintowersplay.com. Doors open at 4:00 pm. The show begins at 4:40 pm and ends at 6:30 pm. A full menu and full bar will be available during the show. For more information, visit www.twintowersplay.com/fundraiser.
ERICA WATSON is a stand-up comedienne and film/television director living in NYC. In 2009, Erica Watson will appear in the Lee Daniel's film Push opposite Mo'nique, Lenny Kravitz, Sherri Sheppard and Paula Patton. Earlier this year, Watson starred in the 20th Century Fox theatrical release Dirty Laundry and she is currently featured in two commercials for the Oxygen Network called "Tresstify" and "Kiss & Tell." Most recently, Watson was a featured commentator/pundit on 3 different BET Specials: "The Evolution of Mary J. Blige," "I Wanna Thank My Momma," and "The Evolution of Jay-Z." Because of her views on politics and pop culture, Watson is a recurring panelist on the BETJ talk show "My Two Cents." When she is not performing at various comedy clubs across the country, you can catch her on the Oxygen Network, MSG-TV and BET. For more information, visit www.ericawatson.com
MARINA FRANKLIN is emerging as one of the hottest comedians in the comedy scene today. With such notable appearances as "Chapelle's Show," NBC's "Last Comic Standing Season II," VH!, Oxygen's "Girls Behaving Badly," "Show Time at The Apollo," Comedy Central's "Premium Blend,""Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn," CW's "Hip Hop Holdem, Marina was recently heard on the Popular Bob &Tom Radio Showwhich aired on WGN America. For more information, visit www.marinafranklin.com.
ERIN JIVIDEN (also known as EJ) has a bachelor of arts degree from Hunter College where she majored in Theater and Music. During this time, EJ began performing all over NYC and traveled down to Miami, Richmond and Philadelphia with a group of budding young artists. She was a regular in the New York music scene and was often spotted performing at The Bitter End, Webster Hall, The Living Room and The Elbow Room. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/ejmusic.
