Joey Calveri, Jenn Collela and More Set for WAT Project's Staged Reading of 1959 PINK THUNDERBIRD, 5/19

Working Artists Theatre Project, in collaboration with the David Lynch Foundation, presents a staged play reading benefit of James McLure's companion comedies Lone Star and Laundry and Bourbon under the title 1959 Pink Thunderbird, featuring a cast of Broadway talent. All proceeds will benefit the Operation Warrior Wellness Project in teaching War Veterans with PTSD Transcendental Meditation.

Lone Star is the late night drunken reunion of Roy, his brother Ray, and old high school acquaintance Cletis. When Roy returns from serving time in Vietnam, his PTSD and numbness challenge his attempts to fit back into his small Texas town. Jessica Dermody (Artistic Director of WAT Project) will direct Lone Star, featuring the talents of Joey Calveri (Rock of Ages, Wonderland), Heath Calvert (Hair, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), and Brian Charles Johnson (Spring Awakening, American Idiot),

Laundry and Bourbon features three women of the same small town: Elizabeth, Hattie, and Amy Lee. The amusing and discontented gossip of these small-town wives highlights the reality that their marriages have turned out to be less than they had hoped for. Damon W. Arrington (The Public and Labyrinth Theatre) will direct the reading of Laundry and Bourbon featuring Jenn Collela (IF/ THEN, Chaplin),Katrina Rose Dideriksen (Hairspray, Jerry Springer: The Opera), and Lil Malinich (All My Children) in the cast.

These classic and poignant American comedies highlight the resilience of the human spirit. They are James McLure's most well known plays and explore themes of love, friendship, freedom, and the harsh realities of war. McLure was part of the Vietnam generation so his plays are a combination of autobiography and people he knew.

Complimentary refreshments sponsored by Two Little Red Hens and Serendipity Wines & Spirits are included.

To conclude the evening, there will be a brief introduction to Transcendental Meditation and The Operation Warrior Wellness Project. Audience members are welcome to meet and talk with members of the David Lynch Foundation and Working Artists Theatre Project.

Jessica Dermody (Artistic Director of WAT Project) directs Lone Star, featuring:

Joey Calveri is currently playing Stacee Jaxx in ROCK OF AGES on broadway. other credits include WONDERLAND (knight), WE WILL ROCK YOU-Las Vegas (Galileo). US and European Tours: SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (Tony Manero/Double J), WEST SIDE STORY (Action), GREASE- DAS MUSICAL (Kenickie) Regional: HAIR (Berger), TRIP OF LOVE- Osaka (Peter), ASSASSINS (Balladeer). Check out his original rock bandMACHINE ELVES and their debut album "Fancy Suits and Cigarettes"

Heath Calvert was recently nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for his performance in Nobody Loves You at Second Stage. His Broadway credits include Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Hair, and Good Vibrations. Other works at The Old Globe, The Public Theater, The Studio Theater in DC, O'Neill Theater Center, Barrington Stage, CAP 21, Ars Nova, and others. Concerts include Songs from Ridiculously Talented...with William Finn and more than 70 engagements with the Indianapolis, Baltimore, Nashville, Phoenix, National Arts, and Alberta Symphony Orchestras.

Brian Charles Johnson: NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Atlantic Theater Company School of Acting; Off-Broadway: Spring Awakening; Broadway: Spring Awakening (OBC), American Idiot(OBC); Film: Construction, Doomsdays, The Last Airbender, Admission, The Wolf of Wall Street.

Damon W. Arrington (The Public & Labyrinth Theatre) directs Laundry and Bourbon with:

Jenn Colella is currently starring on Broadway in IF/THEN with Idina Menzel. Other Broadway starring credits are Sissy in URBAN COWBOY (Outer Critics Circle Award nomination), Laura in HIGH FIDELITY, and as Hedda Hopper in CHAPLIN. Her Off Broadway credits include CLOSER THAN EVER, LUCKY GUY, SLUT, BEEBO BRINKER CHRONICLES, and DON'T QUIT YOUR NIGHT JOB. Other favorite credits include: Amelia Earhart in TAKE FLIGHT (McCarter), Peter Pan in PETER PAN (Stephen Sondheim PAC), Daisy in SIDESHOW (Kennedy Center), Annie Oakley in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (PCLO) and Kiki in KIKI BABY (Outstanding Individual Performance Award, NYMF). Cast Albums: IF/THEN, HIGH FIDELITY, CHAPLIN, and CLOSER THAN EVER. TV: "Cashmere Mafia, "Rescue Me," "The Good Wife," and "Sondheim's Birthday Celebration" on PBS. Film: Uncertainty (opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Jenn proudly holds an MFA in Acting from The University of California,Irvine.

Katrina Rose Dideriksen - Broadway: Hairspray (Tracy standby) Off- B'way: A Night w. Janis (u/s Janis Joplin; RENT (swing); Bloodsong of Love; Jerry Springer the Opera (Shawntel);
Regional/Tour: Hairspray(Tracy; Vegas OC); RENT (Mimi); Legally Blonde (Enid); Pregnancy Pact(Kaylee); Grease (Rizzo). Recordings: Things to Ruin OCR, Joe Iconis Rock & Roll Jamboree (sh-k-boom records)

Lil Malinich - Leading roles in WAT Project productions include: Timberlake: American Pulp (Lorna), Rope (Phyllis), Open Call! and Diane Arbus in the U.S premiere of Fruits Unheard Of, an award winning biographical play about the American photographer. Other credits include various roles in Chamber Theatre Productions U.S Encore! tour, Jelena in Uncle Vanya with New York Space Ensemble, and Mary in Run for Your Wife at PSFT. Film: Construction, Paradise. TV: "Red Hook High," "All My Children."

Performances run at The David Lynch Foundation - 216 E 45th Street, 13th Floor, on Monday, May 19, 2014. Doors open at 6:30PM. Performance begins at 7:00PM. Tickets: $25 - Complimentary refreshments included - ticket available through brown paper tickets. All proceeds benefit the David Lynch Foundation Operation Warrior Wellness Project to help war veterans with PTSD through Transcendental Meditation. Tickets may be purchased via this link: http://dlfreadforwarriors.brownpapertickets.com/.

The David Lynch Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 2005 to fund the implementation of scientifically proven stress-reducing modalities, including the Transcendental Meditation program, for at-risk populations such as underserved inner-city students; veterans with PTSD and their families; women and girls who are victims of domestic violence; American Indians suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high suicide rates; homeless men participating in reentry programs who are striving to overcome addictions; and incarcerated juveniles and adults. www.DavidLynchFoundation.org

Working Artists Theatre Project, a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization, offers artistic growth opportunities by creating innovative, intelligent, and socially conscious productions. Founded by Broadway talent, WAT PROJECT serves as a forum tailored for working artists to expand their experience to encompass a variety of theatrical fields and careers. The company is dedicated to showcasing talent, facilitating the artist's evolution, providing career transition opportunities, and building genuine relationships within the New York artistic community. www.WATProject.com