Lively Post-Show Conversation Announced for Matinee Of ALISON LARKIN LIVE!

Immediately following the 2 pm matinee of Alison Larkin LIVE!, presented by WAM Theatre on Saturday, May 5, all are invited to a lively post-show conversation with Alison, Etta Lappen Davis, Phyllis Lowinger, and Jean Strauss. The panelists will discuss adoption, reunion and what the brave new world of donor conception can learn from adopted people and their families. The conversation is free and open to the public.

"My one woman show is a comedy but it's based on the true story my adoption by English parents, my reunion with my American birth parents, and some of the challenges that followed," Larkin explained. "I'm delighted that three leaders in the adoption reform movement will be joining me for this half hour after the matinee on Saturday, May 5. Jean Strauss, Etta Lappen Davis, and Phyllis Lowinger will answer questions and talk about the work that needs to be done to protect donor conceived and adopted children as they become adults. This post-show conversation will be of particular interest to anyone touched by adoption, foster care, or donor conception."

Jean Strauss is an author, filmmaker and one of the leading advocates for adoption reform in the United States. Governors have cited her films as being key to the passage of legislation in their states. Inspired by state legislators across the country, she is currently running for State Representative in the 5th Worcester District.

Etta Lappen Davis is the coordinator of Access Massachusetts, the grassroots organization dedicated to passing legislation granting access to their original birth certificates to ALL adoptees born in Massachusetts. She has more than 30 years of experience in setting standards for practice in adoption and child welfare, guiding placement agencies around regulatory compliance and best practices, and working toward adoption reform through regulation. Davis is an extended family member in an intercountry adoption and an open kinship adoption.

Phyllis Lowinger, is a licensed clinical social worker who has been in private practice in New York City for over 30 years. She specializes in infertility, alternative family building options including adoption and third party reproduction. She has presented at workshops and conferences including the 92nd Street Y, Harvard Adoption conference. She has written articles for magazines and was a featured therapist in the documentary "Adoption: We Can Do Better" in the segment "Infertility, a Complicated Loss".

Alison Larkin is an adoptee, an internationally acclaimed comedienne, an award-winning audiobook narrator, and the bestselling author of The English American, a semi-autobiographical novel based on the true story of Larkin's adoption by British parents and reunion with her birth parents in the US. In her hilarious, thought-provoking new show, Alison Larkin LIVE!, Larkin will talk about her adoption and reunion, culture conflict, parenting teenagers, life in the Berkshires, and how to brew that perfect cup of tea.

This night of laugh-out-loud comedy will be presented for one weekend only right here in the Berkshires! There will be three performances at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre at Shakespeare & Company: Friday, May 4, at 7:30 pm, and Saturday, May 5, at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, with the post-show conversation after the Saturday matinee, and an exclusive champagne reception with Ms. Larkin for VIP ticket holders on Saturday night.

The performance will celebrate the audiobook release of Larkin's new AudioFile Earphones Award-winning recording of her bestselling novel The English American, which includes an interview and other bonus material. For every audiobook download of The English American purchased online via the link below between now and the end of May, $5.00 will be donated to WAM. http://www.alisonlarkinpresents.com/product/the-english-american/

Tickets are $30-$60, with $15 student tickets also available. $60 VIP Tickets include an exclusive post-show Champagne reception with Alison Larkin following the 7:30 pm performance on Saturday, May 5. Tickets may be purchased over the phone at 413-637-3353; in person at the Shakespeare & Company Box Office; or online at: http://www.wamtheatre.com/alison-larkin-live/

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