Native Detroiter Mike Targus to Screen Local Premiere of His Film THE CORRIDOR. DEFENDED.

The Elizabeth Theater (located above the Park Bar and GoGo's in Downtown Detroit) will be hosting the Detroit premiere of a film, "THE CORRIDOR. DEFENDED.," written and produced by native Detroiter, Mike Targus, on August 25th, 2016 at 8 p.m.

"THE CORRIDOR. DEFENDED.," takes place in Detroit's very own Cass Corridor neighborhood roughly ten years ago, when it was on the precipice of change, and follows a troubled man who has to decide whether to try and single-handedly fix the infamously seedy neighborhood, or take a backseat to the chaotic order of the city. Based on the stories and real-life encounters of Mike Targus himself, this dark-comedy offers a very authentic look a the city and its people, something that is often lost in main stream television and cinema's portrayals of Detroit.

The film stars Targus, and M.C. Gainey (Lost, Sideways, Con Air), and features several actors from the Detroit area including: Anton Bassey, Henri Franklin, Dani Cochrane, Jason Echols, Mikey Brown, and more. The soundtrack is made up entirely of Detroit bands as well, anchored by Detroit garage rock royalty: The Detroit Cobras, and The Dirtbombs, along with Third Man Records' new comers, Timmy's Organism.

While there were a couple days of shooting in Los Angeles, the vast majority of shooting happened on location in Detroit, with Union Street, St. CeCe's, Jumbo's Bar, and Cliff Bells being among some of the more well known locations where production took place. The film is twenty-five minutes long and is partially a product of a crowd-funding campaign, but would not have been possible without the overwhelming support of folks in the Cass Corridor Community, and the city itself.

Mike Targus graduated from Wayne State University in 2006 with a BFA in acting. While pursuing his acting degree, Mike studied with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City, Improv Olympic in Chicago and Second City in Detroit. After graduating he helped Jerry Belanger to found and open the Park Bar. He has since then moved to Los Angeles, and most recently performed his show, The Search for Ron Mims, on the Comedy Central Development Stage in Hollywood, and at the Elizabeth Theater in 2015. He also currently operates Mack Black Productions, which produced "THE CORRIDOR. DEFENDED.," and "39 to Go," (39togo.com), a 2015 Annual Indie Series Award nominated web-series, starring several other Detroit natives, and Jon Polito. (The Big Lebowski, Miller's Crossing).

The Park Bar and The Elizabeth Theater were originally an abandoned storefront in the city of Detroit and purchased in 2004 by then recent Wayne State University Theatre alum Jerry Belanger. He and his crew (including "THE CORRIDOR. DEFENDED." writer and producer, Mike Targus) spent the next two years renovating 2040 Park Avenue and the neighboring 1930s era Cliff Bells at 2030 Park Ave. The Park Bar (which is also home to GoGo's), opened its doors in December of 2006. Since then the Park Bar has become home for visiting Tiger Fans, Lions Fans, Downtown Locals, Fillmore Theatre patrons, Fox Theatre patrons and local artists.

Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door or by calling the Park Bar Box Office at 313-454-1286 or emailing info@parkbardetroit.com. The box office is available to take ticket orders Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. or leave a message and your phone call be returned as soon as possible. For more information, please call 313-454-1286, visit the Park Bar site at www.parkbardetroit.com, or check out www.miketargus.com.

Poster Art Credit: Joseph Studzinski

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