The Treehouse Theater to Stage Live Read of Sony's THE INTERVIEW, 12/27

In reaction to Sony Pictures' cancelation of the Franco / Rogen comedy The Interview, The Treehouse Theater has scheduled an evening of comedy designed to infuriate Kim Jong Un.

A Live Read of The Interview

Saturday December 27th 7pm

The Treehouse Theater, 154 W 29th St.

Admission is Free

In the wake of recent events surrounding the controversial film The Interview, the feeling that a threat to free speech has been imposed is inescapable and terrifying. In response to this, three comedians have acquired a draft of the script for the banned film and are producing a live-read at the Treehouse Theater on Saturday, December 27th at 7pm. Featuring some of the finest performers from the Upright Citizen's Brigade theater, this is an opportunity for people to come together in the name of free speech, in defiance of all who have threatened it.

The script is close to the final version, and the performers are top notch. As the event is as much a political statement as a theatrical event, the show will be free. Come out and be part of something special.

The producers of this event are Dave Hensley, Sean Perrotta, and Benny Scheckner. They are New York City comedians who feel very strongly about bringing this film to you by whatever means necessary.

Fuck You Kim Jong Un! A Comedy Show to Benefit the People of North Korea

Saturday December 27th 9:30 pm

The Treehouse Theater, 154 W 29th St.

Admission is $5, all proceeds go to Human Rights Watch

Sony Co-Chief Amy Pascal (Jaime Lutz) has heard about The Treehouse Theater's reading of The Interview and is going to put a stop to it! She's invited a group of comedians to do improv about things that AREN'T controversial, like hating Angelina Jolie and wondering if Barack Obama has seen Twelve Years A Slave. Unfortunately, the comedians she's invited -- including Scott Reynolds, Alex Wolinetz, Danny Vega, Hal Phillips, Stacey Angelakos and more -- are only content doing comedy that makes Kim Jong Un look like a real asshole dictator. What can Amy Pascal do but take to the stage and do improvised comedy (along with fellow Sony executives, played by Upright Citizens Brigade comedians) based on awful North Korean propaganda films?

The Treehouse Theater is the newest theater venue in Manhattan and is completely committed to artistic integrity and freedom.

Treehouse Artistic Director Rob Reese states: "When a comedy like The Interview has such an effect that it causes an international furor, we have no choice as artists but to support the movie and to support artists like those we're hosting on the 27th. We scorn the actions of the so-called Guardians of Peace. If these frightened children actually had any spine, they would produce their own comedy in response to The Interview. Only a coward meets art with violence."

The Treehouse Theater is New York City's playground for independent performing artists. The Theater was formerly the site of The PIT and lay dark for four years after their move to East 24th St. Re-opened by PIT Caretaker Ali Farahnakian (Second City, SNL, Steppenwolf, BAM) who hired Chicago improv colleague Rob Reese to run the school and theater with a broad theatrical sensibility based in improvisation. This month Rob Reese was named a 2014 Indie Person of the Year and inducted into the Independent Theater Hall of Fame.

The Treehouse Theater is available for rentals and also boasts the most artist-friendly production packages in New York City. Companies can mount workshops and shows for little or sometimes no budget necessary for space rental. http://treehousetheaternyc.com/rent-present/

More information is available at Treehousetheaternyc.com.