TV: 'CELEBRITY CHARADES' Day 1: Bob Balaban Teaches Ana Ortiz

LAByrinth Theater Company (John Ortiz, Artistic Director; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Co-Artistic Director; John Gould Rubin, Co-Artistic & Executive Director) enters the arena of power chords and monster riffs on October 20th, to present the sixth annual benefit featuring Celebrity Charades: this year's event will be a battle of the bands, invoking the theme "We Will Rock You" at concert venue Terminal 5 (610 West 56th Street, at 11th Avenue).

The talented gang at LAByrinth have put together a few webisodes for the upcoming "Celebrity Charades" Gala on October 20th. The short video pieces relate to the game of charades and the team strategy. In this, the first day segment, Bob Balaban gives Ugly Betty star Ana Ortiz tips on the art and skill of the game. BroadwayWorld is excited to take you behind the scenes as these two celebrities share the fun of charades!  And stay tuned for more webisode fun in the days and weeks to come right here on BroadwayWorld.com!

It's The Battle of the Bands, as four teams of celebrities thrash it out for 90 minutes in three fearless sets of speed-charades. Referee Eric Bogosian will preside over the Charades while, between games, John Patrick Shanley will host a live auction, featuring LAByrinth's unique money-can't-buy experiences - including a chance to play Charades with the celebrities. This year's confirmed star-studded roster of players includes LAB's Artistic Directors John Ortiz and Philip Seymour Hoffman alongside LAB Members Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty), Judy Reyes (Scrubs), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent), Yul Vázquez (American Gangster), and David Zayas (Dexter), and celebrity guests Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live), Richard Kind (Spin City), Aasif Mandvi (TheDaily Show), and Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: SVU).

Ticket prices for The Battle of the Bands at 8:00 p.m. start with the Candy Harlot ($250), and the Harem Scarem ($750: Table for 4). Tickets to attend the VIP Reception & Dinner at 6:30 p.m. include the Twisted Sister ($1,100), the Whitesnake ($3,500: Pedestal Table for 4), the Steel Dragon ($10,000: Priority Table for 10) and the King Kobra ($15,000: Premium Table for 10)

All proceeds will benefit LAByrinth Theater Company's 17th season in 2008/09 season, hosted by The Public Theater. To purchase tickets, e-mail charades@LABtheater.org or call (212) 513 1014. More information is available at LABtheater.org. All proceeds will benefit LAByrinth Theater Company's 17th season in 2008/09, hosted by The Public Theater.

Produced/Directed by Monique Carboni and Melisa McGregor, with David Bar Katz

Copyright 2008, LAByrinth Theater Company