Casting Announced For Playwrights For A Cause Benefit For The Ali Forney Center: MY SEXUALITY IS _______

This year, Planet Connections' signature event, designed to address a powerful social and topical issue facing our society today through engaging stage works, will explore the distinctions between gender and sexuality. The event will benefit THE ALI FORNEY CENTER, whose mission is to protect LGBTQ youths from the dangers of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live independently.

The event will be the evening of August 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Theater at the 14th Street Y, 344 E 14th St, New York City.

"We decided to put the event at the Theatre at the 14th Street Y as their mission is one of social awareness and change and is Inspired by the immense diversity the East Village has to offer," said Glory Kadigan, founder and artistic director of Playwrights for a Cause. "In this way, the venue and the subject matter meld into a collaboration of art and education," concluded Shaun Peknic, Planet Connections' producing artistic director.

World Premieres by Lucy Boyle, Migdalia Cruz, Gabrielle Fox, Catherine Filloux,
Regina Taylor, and Lucy Thurber will be presented that evening.

Performers include Tony nominee, Elizabeth A. Davis; Drama Desk Nominee and Obie Winner, Eddie Korbich; along with Broadway notables, Maria-Christina Oliveras and Donna Vivino. Other renowned artists appearing that night include David Anzuelo, Kim Blanck, Lucy DeVito, John DiMino, John Fico, McKenzie Frye, Esco Jouléy, James B. Kennedy, Bethlehem Million, Susannah Perkins, Bradley James Tejeda, Christina Toth and Kita Updike.

The event will be emceed by Planet Connections artists Laura Sisskin-Fernandez and Mateo Moreno. Tickets are now on sale at http://planetconnections.org/2018-playwrights-for-a-cause-my-sexuality-is-______/

ACCEPTING APPLAUSE by Catherine Filloux
Directed by Susan Tenney

featuring

ANNA: Kim Blanck
RUDOLPH: John Fico
KENYON NOBLE: John DiMino

ANY OTHER NAME by Regina Taylor
Director - Shira-Lee Shalit

featuring

SERENA: Christina Toth
CYNTHIA: McKenzie Frye
ONE: Bethlehem Million

BANK by Lucy Thurber

featuring

DENISE: Lucy DeVito
CHARLIE: David Anzuelo

GENDER FLUIDS AND OTHER DANGEROUS LIQUIDS by Migdalia Cruz

featuring

TAR: Esco Jouléy
CADI: Kita Updike
BLISS: Maria-Christina Oliveras

Both directed by Glory Kadigan

HOOTERS by Gabrielle Fox
Directed by Antonio Miniño

featuring

BECCA: Donna Vivino
SAMMY: James B Kennedy

MANUEL OR THE SOLDIER THAT WASN'T by Lucy Boyle
Directed by Shaun Peknic

featuring

ANNE/MANUEL: Elizabeth A. Davis
KINGSLEY: Eddie Korbich
LYDIA WATTS: Susannah Perkins
JAMES KNOX: Bradley James Tejeda

Understudies for all plays include Planet Connections Award winners Ramiro Batista, Carlotta Brenton, Mle Chester, Molly Collier, Isra Elsalihie, Michael Gnat, Gina LeMoine, Vinny Eden Ortega and Sarah Grace Sanders.