Former SNL Writer Chris Bright Directs ANCHOR at Hollywood Fringe Fest, Now thru 6/28

Are we all a little crazy? Is abnormal the new normal? Michael Carnick's original one-act play, Anchor, which premieres at the 2013 Hollywood Fringe Festival, raises these themes as it chronicles the struggles of psychiatrist Leon Gold.

ANCHOR's performance dates include:

June 8, 4pm (Preview)
June 16, 4pm & 8:45pm
June 22, 4pm
June 23, 4pm
June 28, 9:30pm

Faced with a teen guilt-ridden over his best friend's death, the amorous overtures of a former student, a mother angered by her son's suicide, and his own son's apathetic response to his efforts at connection, Dr. Gold questions whether his attempts at therapy can make these people's lives better when his own life is falling apart.

Winner of the Samuel Goldwyn Writing Award for his screenplay, Who's Driving Doug, Carnick has an MFA in Creative Writing and Writing for the Performing Arts from the University of California, Riverside. Carnick's latest endeavor, Anchor examines the need for an anchor to keep people grounded, to help them survive.

"All of the people in this play are struggling - each of them including the psychiatrist have lost their anchor and are trying to get it back. It's this struggle that leads to desperation and ultimately fatal consequences," said Carnick.

The play is being directed by Chris Bright, former SNL writer and assistant to Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg. Bright now lives in LA and directs projects in his spare time.

"I think the Fringe is a great venue because it allows for risk-taking. Anchor isn't fluffy, it's a dark comedy that makes you laugh but also makes you think, and that's the kind of art that people expect to see at the Fringe," said Bright.

Anchor has five characters but only two actors. David Holt plays Leon Gold. Holt moved to LA to pursue his film career after working in the NYC theatre scene for several years. The other four characters are played by Melissa Harkness who was last seen in The Porters of Hellsgate's production of The Merchant of Venice.

Along with acting, Harkness is also helping Carnick produce the play. This is her second year with the Fringe. Last year, she wrote and directed her own play, The Cannibal King. Though it was fun to direct, Harkness is glad to be back on stage and not behind the scenes this year.

"I've been focusing a lot on my writing and haven't had much time to act lately so I'm really looking forward to the show," said Harkness.

Harkness and Carnick met while the two were in graduate school at UC Riverside. They have worked together ever since, most recently producing a short film calledRolling Romance about online dating for people with disabilities.

Anchor is showing in The Ruby Theatre at The Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd throughout the month of June. For days and times, go to www.hollywoodfringe.org and search Anchor. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased on the Fringe site or at the door.

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