Grey Ensemble Theatre to Premiere New Work at Hollywood Fringe Festival

A group of former Chicago theatre artists have formed a new theatre company in Los Angeles dedicated to diversity and inclusion. The Grey Ensemble Theatre is comitted to presenting new, contemporary, and classic stories that represent the multicultural world we live in. Grey Ensemble Theatre launches its first production with the world premiere of FUCK MY LIFE by Broadway World Award nominated playwright and GET Artistic Director Danny Bernardo (Mahal, Bailiwick Chicago). Directed by Carmen Aiello, FUCK MY LIFE will play five performances at The Actors Company, 916 N. Formosa Ave, Los Angeles, as part of this year's Hollywood Fringe Festival. The performances will be June 11 at 10:30pm, June 12 at 3pm, June 18 at 9pm, June 26 at 2pm. Press/Preview night will be June 4 at 9:30pm.

"The need for diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry has never been greater then this very moment," said GET Artistic Director Danny Bernardo on the inspiration for founding the company. "While the rest of the industry at large begins to implement initiatives and change to improve this, we are taking our first step by focusing on providing as many opportunities for women and people of color in our work, on-and-offstage. We're excited to contribute to the LA theatre community with the world premiere of my play FUCK MY LIFE."

FUCK MY LIFE follows a diverse group of post-college 20-somethings as they navigate their lives and relationships on-and-offline. The play centers on Melissa, as she lives the Millennial dream of conquering the world while balancing a life of validated adventure and underwritten by an unpaid marketing internship. Though usually careful with her personal online presence, her off-and-online life comes crashing down around her as she gets entangled in her best friend's messy Facebook break up. Without weighing the repercussions between shots of Jameson and messy hookups, Melissa's actions begin to adversely affect those closest to her. One thoughtless post threatens to completely change the course of Melissa's life. Fast-paced, funny, and heartfelt, FUCK MY LIFE is equal parts commentary/love letter for the millennial generation coming of age in the digital era.

"The approach to directing and staging this particular production came across, to me, as very classical; using references to Shakespeare and Greek tragedy," said director Carmen Aiello of his process. "Relationships haven't changed all that much in hundreds of years. We still have love, hope, betrayal and forgiveness. Only recently has technology and social media been able to undermine our natural instincts."

FUCK MY LIFE features GET founding members Taylor Bibat and Sara Gorsky with George Infantado, Jason Markoff, Adrian Snow, and Coy Wentworth. The production team and one more cast member will be announced at a further date.

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