Strawdog Hosts THE PHONE BOOK Gala Fundraiser 11/21

Strawdog Theatre Company is proud to announce its third annual gala benefit, The Phone Book, Monday, Nov, 21 at 8 p.m. at Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway. The Phone Book, directed by Strawdog Company Member Michael Caloia features Strawdog Ensemble performers, as well as special guests, for a night of music, improv, personal stories, performance art and the indescribable. Tickets are now on sale for $100 which includes the evening's entertainment and access to a full bar and hors d'oeuvres. Reception begins at 7p.m. Tickets are available at 773.528.9696 or go to www.strawdog.org.

In 2010, Strawdog made local theatre history with not one, but two unprecedented Phone Book events. The premise of the evening is to fill Strawdog's intimate stage with some of the best talent in Chicago; artists so talented audiences would actually attend just to watch them read from the phone book. Both times, the event sold out and quickly became one of the most talked about and "must see" occasions of the year. "The third time is the charm" as they say, and this year, Strawdog still has some tricks up its sleeve to deliver yet another amazing evening of unparalleled amusement and surprises. The 2011 event is produced and hosted by Strawdog ensemble members and features magic by Dennis Watkins, a personal essay from Second Story Writer Kim Morris and an appearance by seven-year-old theatre reviewer turned actress, Miss Ada Grey. The roster of additional excellent Chicago performers is still under development and keeps growing every day. Strawdog is also pleased to announce AT&T as one of its producing sponsors for the 2011 event.

For the event's maiden voyage, February 1, 2010, audiences witnessed performances that they could only see at The Phone Book. Improv greats T. J. and Dave used an ad in the Yellow Pages to create an on-the-spot story of two-barrel makers looking for a start-up loan. Other acts included Madame Barker and her Dames (Molly Brennan). Plus, Chicago theatre legend, Mike Nussbaum performed the telephone scene from Mamet's American Buffalo joined by Fran Guinan that ended with singing George Michael lyrics into a banana. Kris Vire of Time Out Chicago was there, and raved, "Last night I fulfilled a dream I didn't even know I had."

In its November 2010 incarnation, joining the Strawdog Theatre Ensemble was many of the same artists from February, plus new additions including:
o Brett Neveu (internationally renowned playwright)
Chris Piatt, Anderson Lawfer and Eric Roach (Theatre Critics Gone Wild!)

Elizabeth Laidlaw (Chicago actress extraordinaire)
Dean Evans (Magical Exploding Boy)
Les Enfants Terribles (First Class Crazy Bouffants! That's French Anti-Clown to you and moi.)
Cindy Fee (Song Stylist Extraordinaire)
Dennis Watkins (Magical Mystery Tour De Force)
And hosts, Justine Turner and Michaela Petro (J&M Comedy Hour).

Since its founding in 1988, Strawdog Theatre Company has offered Chicagoland the premiere storefront theatre experience and garnered numerous Non-Equity Jeff Awards with its commitment to ensemble acting and an immersive design approach. The celebrated Company develops new work, re-imagines the classics, melds music with theatre, asks provocative questions, and delivers the unexpected. Season 24 marks a change in leadership with new Artistic Director, Brandon Bruce and recently hired managing director, Patrick Rybarczyk

The Phone Book, a Strawdog Theatre Benefit performance is Monday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are now on sale for $100 and include entertainment, access to full bar and hors d'oeuvres, call 773.528.9696 or go online at www.strawdog.org for tickets.

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