Danes, Wood, Stiles et al. Set for 2010 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY, 11/15

Montblanc presents the 10th annual THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY Monday November 15th at The American Airlines Theatre. The one night only performance benefits Urban Arts Partnership, an organization that brings arts education into New York City classrooms. This year's company members, include actors: Leslie Bibb (Iron Man), Claire Danes (Emmy Award winner for Temple Grandin), Guillermo Diaz (Weeds), Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live), America Ferrera (Emmy Award winner for Ugly Betty), Gaby Hoffman (Life During Wartime), Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker), Christopher Meloni (Law and Order: SVU), Diane Neal (Law and Order: SVU), Rosie Perez (Artistic Board Chair of Urban Arts Partnership), Kyra Sedgwick (Emmy Award winner for The Closer), Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Show), Fisher Stevens (Oscar Winning producer of The Cove ), Julia Stiles (Oleanna), Tracie Thoms (Cold Case), Michael Kenneth Williams (Boardwalk Empire), Alicia Witt (Friday Night Lights), Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Everything is Illuminated); playwrights Kristoffer Diaz (Pulitzer Prize Finalist for The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity), Mike Doughty (Singer, Songwriter-- Sad Man, Happy Man), Rajiv Joseph (Pulitzer Prize finalist for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), Lynn Nottage (Pulitzer Prize and Drama Desk winner for Ruined), Theresa Rebeck (The Understudy); and musical guest M. Ward. Talent is subject to change based on availability.

"Our continued support is born out of our brand's pledge to encourage arts patronage and proper funding of arts education initiatives for aspiring young artists," said Jan- Patrick Schmitz, President & CEO, Montblanc North America. "It is for this very reason that we've expanded our fourth year commitment to Urban Arts Partnership by initiating several Master Classes and the Montblanc Writers Project in which students can hone their skills in several diverse subjects including writing culture as well as music education." This year's Writers Project Winner, Elizabeth Cruz Cortes is a graduate of the Urban Arts Partnership and her winning 10 minute play "We Don't Have to Talk About That" has granted her the opportunity to have her work performed on November 15th at the 24 Hour Plays on Broadway by the aforementioned celebrity cast.

THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY attracts some of entertainment's biggest names as they join forces to participate in a rite of extreme live performance: writing, directing, and performing six original short plays, all in just 24 hours! The creative process for THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY will begin at 10PM on Sunday, November 14th - the night before the show - when a group of six writers, six directors, 24 actors, two musical guests, and a production staff gather at the American Airlines Theatre. After each of the cast members share a costume, prop and their stage desires-- each writer is tasked with composing a ten-minute play by 7 AM the following morning, when the directors return to read and select their piece. The casts will meet for the first time at 8 AM and, over the next 12 hours the plays are rehearsed and produced for a live presentation. At 8:00 PM, ink barely dry, the six new plays - interspersed with six musical acts - will be performed for a live audience.

2010 marks the fourth year that Montblanc, global luxe manufacturer of classic fine writing instruments, handcrafted timepiece collections and timeless jewelry designs, will be the title sponsor of THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY. Montblanc's continued support is born out of the brand's pledge to encourage arts patronage and proper funding of arts education initiatives for aspiring young artists; a goal that is not only at the heart of Montblanc's philosophy of helping others but is also at the center of the efforts executed by the non-profit beneficiary, Urban Arts Partnership.

"Since our beginning, Montblanc has supported arts programs worldwide to ensure that these beneficial activities are readily available and accessible by all of our youth," continued Schmitz. "We remain committed to establishing mentorship and skill-building programs in support of NYC public schools to continuously nourish arts and culture initiatives that allow students to realize their creative dreams."

Returning supporting sponsor, LypSyl Lip Balm, (www.lypsylhome.com ), the premium lip care line made from pure Swedish beeswax, is proud to support The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway for 2010. The Erlick Group (www.erlickgroup.com) helps make this benefit possible through garnering supporting partners such as LypSyl and Citi. Citi® cardmembers are able to purchase special packages that include exclusive access to prime seats, rehearsals, the pre-show reception and after-party, as well as front row mezzanine seats. For more information about Citi® card member access, contact anna@urbanarts.org.

Tickets are available at www.SmartTix.com, (212) 868-4444 and to Citi® card members by contacting anna@urbanarts.org.

Founded by the creator of The 24 Hour Plays, The 24 Hour Company is the long-standing incarnation of a group of artists and producers that has mounted over 300 short plays since 1995 --all written, cast, rehearsed and performed in a single day. The rotating cast and crew of The 24 Hour Plays have performed for sold-out houses at the American Airlines Theater, Atlantic Theater, Minetta Lane Theater, 45 Bleecker Theater, the NY International Fringe Festival and other downtown venues in New York, as well as in Chicago, Los Angeles and London. Participants have included diverse talents from all levels- from Tony, Oscar and Pulitzer Prize winners to emerging talent and high school students. For more information, visit www.24hourplays.com.

For over 100 years, Montblanc has embraced the traditions of lasting value and exquisite craftsmanship. The company's uncompromising principles of design, style, quality and workmanship have allowed them to create heirloom collections that are passed from generation to generation. The iconic Montblanc Star is a symbol of excellence - the pinnacle of luxury writing instruments, timepieces, jewelry and leather - and the brand has made an enduring commitment to encourage excellence through cultural advancement. Montblanc is pleased to partner with the 24 Hour Company and Urban Arts Partnership to bring arts and culture to the city's youth. 

Urban Arts Partnership advances the intellectual, social and artistic development of underserved public school students through arts-integrated education programs to close the achievement gap. Through a dynamic range of programs including playwriting, theatre, film and documentary, instrument building, visual arts, dance performance and spoken word, Urban Arts Partnership empowers youth to develop the creative and analytic impulses that will serve them as students, professionals and responsible citizens. Urban Arts Partnership and The 24 Hour Plays piloted The 24 Hour Plays in the Schools in 2008 and are excited to continue the program this academic year. For more information, visit www.urbanarts.org.

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos