THE COLOR PURPLE Writer Allee Willis Hosts Tonight's 55th Anniversary Bash for La MaMa

La MaMa celebrates its 55th season with a singular Gala Event like no other tonight, November 10, at La MaMa Annex (66 E.4 St.) when the Grammy-winning, co-author of the Tony-winning musical THE COLOR PURPLE and legendary party-hostess Allee Willis throws one of her renowned bashes, created especially as a benefit for La MaMa: BADEYA BABY! or HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE THE THEATRE. Allee calls this once in a lifetime multi-media performance, "an Experience in Experimental Dinner Theatre."

Honorary chairs for this "new party performance" by Allee Willis, directed by Jason Trucco, include Pamela Adlon, Lily Tomlin & Jane Wagner, Buck Henry, Marsha Norman and Bette Midler. Allee Willis has entertained these honorary chairs, and many others like Cyndi Lauper, Cher, The Pointer Sisters, RuPaul and MARK CUBAN at her house in Los Angeles - the former famous MGM party house.

When Allee visited La MaMa this past summer, she felt an immediate connection to La MaMa founder, Ellen Stewart, and with La MaMa's fearless creative spirit.

The evening of cocktails, dinner, performance and after-party begins at 6 p.m. For information and reservations to the Gala call La MaMa 212 254 6468, or email laura@lamama.org.

La MaMa is the internationally acclaimed experimental theatre - begun by the late Ellen Stewart - now in its 55th season of presenting innovative and ground-breaking work from around the globe. This season alone, La MaMa will present over 70 productions of works from six continents. Mia Yoo is the company's Artistic Director.

Allee Willis has written songs which have sold more than 50 million records: SEPTEMBER and BOOGIE WONDERLAND by Earth, Wind & Fire, NEUTRON DANCE by the Pointer Sisters, and I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU, the theme from "Friends." She is co-author of the musical THE COLOR PURPLE, currently enjoying a successful revival on Broadway. Of Ms. Willis' parties, People Magazine has written, "She throws parties that are works of art in themselves."

La MaMa is dedicated to the artist and all aspects of the theatre. The organization has a worldwide reputation for producing daring performance works that defy form and transcend barriers of ethnic and cultural identity. Founded in 1961 by award-winning theatre pioneer Ellen Stewart, La MaMa has presented more than 5,000 productions by 150,000 artists from more than 70 nations. A recipient of more than 30 Obie Awards and dozens of Drama Desk, Bessie, and Villager Awards, La MaMa has helped launch the careers of countless artists, many of whom have made important contributions to American and international arts milieus.

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