Bang Improv Presents STREEP TEASE, 3/12

Since debuting a little more than a year ago (Sept.5 '09), Streep Tease: An Evening of Meryl Streep Monologues performed by an All-Male Cast has won critical praise from the LA Times, the LA Weekly and Daily Variety. The cult classic show in the making, reopens Sat., March 12 at the Bang Improv Theater in Los Angeles, it was announced today by the show's Creator & Co-Executive Producer Roy Cruz. A celebratory, wicked, yeT Loving satire of scenes from the most unforgettable movies from one of our greatest contemporary actresses, Streep Tease resumes an open ended run featuring new material and new cast members. Co-Executive Produced by Kenneth Hartung and directed by Ezra Weisz, the show is performed by an ensemble cast of seven actors and special guests.

"While soaking on the sands of the French Rivera during these past few winter months with my dear friend Donatella, I've been deluged with inquiries about Streep Tease," says Cruz. "Aside from working on my bikini tan line, I've been hard at work to 'raise the bar' and have refashioned the show with new material as well as new talent. We're mixing it up a bit to keep our show fresh, exciting, fun and entertaining."

An homage to one of our most popular and enduring actresses, Meryl Streep's prodigious body of film work serves as the inspiration and fascination for Streep Tease, an all-male cast's re-interpretation of some of the revered actresses' most iconic scenes. Included are monologues from The Devil Wears Prada, Out of Africa and Silkwood, in addition to new material from The French Lieutenant's Woman, Doubt, and The Still of the Night, among others. Special celebrity guest stars will also join the cast on selected performance dates which will be announced in advance. Though drawn from the dramatic and comedic 'Canon of Cinema Streep,' all of the scenes evolve into a hilarious, outlandish, kooky and sometimes campy romp through Streep's film repertoire. Added Cruz, "I just can't wait to see Streep's upcoming film in which she will portray Britain's former Prime Minister, 'Iron Lady' Margaret Thatcher. I could build a whole show around that one!"

Creator/Producer Roy Cruz, born and raised in the Philippines, is a stand up comedian/actor. Among his recent work in television and film: Keisha Vs. Geisha, a short film he wrote and produced that screened at the Slamdance Film Festival; and his comedy performance on Wisecrack, a Logo TV show. He has headlined at the Maui Cultural Center, Lake Tahoe Winterfest, Salt Lake City's Comedy 101 and at the Outlaugh GLBT Comedy Festvial in 05, 06 and 09. He performs regularly around Los Angeles and its environs. His essay "Janeane's Garofalo's Greasy Hair" was published in the book "Out on the Edge: America's Rebel Comics."
Among recent accolades for Streep Tease:
"Now in its 10th month, L.A. stage show 'Streep Tease' serves as both a reminder and an eye-opener...Just as Terrence McNally's 'The Lisbon Traviata' and 'Master Class' turned Callas into a gay camp figure, Cruz's show could work similar magic for his heroine of choice... 'Streep Tease' is the kind of retro show that used to populate the burnt-out storefront theaters of the East Village back in the late 1960s and early 1970s. But while Manhattan real estate today is just too pricey to accommodate such inspired theatrical nonsense, Los Angeles has an overabundance of empty buildings, and the Bang Studio, among the Jewish delis and thrift stores on Fairfax Avenue, serves as a perfect home for the homage and/or sendup of Meryl Streep. So if a hetero-camp show like 'Rock of Ages' can travel from L.A. to Gotham, why not 'Streep Tease'?
BeastThe cast of Streep Tease includes Cruz, David Dean Bottrell (currently guest starring on Days of Our Lives, 'Lincoln Meyer' on Boston Legal), Bryan T. Donovan (Thintervention reality series), Ron Morehouse (TV credits include Boston Public and Starter Wife), Matthew Nouriel (Downtown Comedy Club), Joel Scher (Act Now web series), Trent Walker (Gods and Generals). Additional credits: Choreographer, Fred Tallaksen; and Poster Design, Julian Michael Rivera.

Streep Tease: An Evening of Meryl Streep Monologues performed by an All-Male Cast continues an open ended run at The Bang Comedy Theatre, 457 North Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Performances dates listed below.

Tel. 323.653.6886 or visit www.bangstudio.com. Tickets, $20.