Catherine Butterfield's LIFE EXPECTANCY Begins at Hollywood Fringe Today

Catherine Butterfield, author of the plays JOINED AT THE HEAD, THE SLEEPER, LIFE IN THE TREES and BROWNSTONE, among others, premieres her latest comedy, LIFE EXPECTANCY, at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, beginning today, June 10. Second City alum Ron West helms the play.

LIFE EXPECTANCY is about a not-so-young couple who after much trying finally get pregnant. Narrated by the slightly smug authors of a "What to Expect" book, the couple is led on a nine month journey that is by turns hilarious, touching, and even heartbreaking. Thirty six roles will be played by Josh Banday, Tisha Terrasini-Banker, Derek Manson, Alla Poberesky, Anna-Laurie Rives and Kiff Vanden Huevel.

Butterfield's play JOINED AT THE HEAD was nominated for a Drama Desk and Obie Award. She's the recipient of the George E. Oppenheimer/New York Newsday award for best new play in the New York area, the Roger L. Stevens/Kennedy Center award, the Kaufman and Hart award for best new comedy and the Davie Award for best new comedy in regional theatre. BROWNSTONE, commissioned by the Laguna Playhouse, played there in 2010 and was directed by Ms. Butterfield. Butterfield has also written and produced for the TV shows Grimm, Ghost Whisperer, FAME LA and Party of Five.

Ron West has directed many plays for the Second City, including SECOND CITY THIS WEEK, the award winning CURIOUS GEORGE GOES TO WAR, and the musical SEX AND THE SECOND CITY. He directed TWIST YOUR DICKENS last year for the Portland Center stage and will direct that play again at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago this fall. He also helmed THE 39 STEPS at the Malibu Playhouse, deLEARious at the Open Fist theatre in LA, and his own musical THE PEOPLE VS. FRIAN LAURENCE at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

LIFE EXPECTANCY will be performed at the Lounge Theatre in Hollywood (6201 Santa Monica Blvd) today, June 10 at 6pm, June 12 at both 8 and 10pm, June 25 at 2pm and June 26 at 12 noon. Tickets at www.hff16/3538.com.