CELEBRATION THEATRE Presents Reading of 'ON THE ROOF' by Donna Hoke on Today

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series, ON THE ROOF by Donna Hoke, directed by Christopher Mikish and performing one night only, Tuesday, April 19 at the West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente in West Hollywood. It's 1955-post WWII, amid McCarthyism, years before Stonewall. In this dangerous and difficult era, Mitzi operates a cabaret and gay bar where she, Cruz, a playboy bartender; Levi, an aspiring Broadway composer; Bob, a WWII vet; Mac, a guy who just wants camaraderie with his Coke; and Andy, a newcomer with a law degree struggle to find solidarity and courage-maybe even love.

DONNA HOKE (Playwright) Western New York regional representative for the Dramatists Guild and ensemble playwright at Road Less Traveled Productions, award-winning playwright Donna Hoke's work has been seen in 36 states and on five continents.

Her full-length plays include THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR (Princess Grace semi-finalist, currently in its third year in rep in Romania), SEEDS (Artie award for Outstanding New Play), FLOWERS IN THE DESERT (AACT top 20 finalist), SAFE (winner of the Todd McNerney National Playwriting, Naatak National Playwriting, and Great Gay Play and Musical Contests), and BRILLIANT WORKS OF ART (winner, HRC Showcase and Firehouse Festival of New American Plays, Woodward/Newman and nuVoices finalist). Donna is also a New York Times-published crossword puzzle constructor; author of Neko and the Twiggets, a children's book; founder/co-curator of BUA Takes 10: GLBT Short Stories; and blogger. For three consecutive years, she was named Buffalo's Best Writer by Artvoice-the only woman to ever receive the designation. CHRISTOPHER MAIKISH (Director) Christopher Maikish is an award-winning actor, director, and producer, known to Celebration Theatre audiences for originating the role of the hero prince in the world premiere musical, THE NEXT FAIRY TALE by Brian Pugach. His directorial debut for the 2014 Hollywood Fringe Festival production of Jason Robert Brown's SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD was hailed as "inventive" (Stage and Cinema), "subtle yet powerful" (Rob Stevens), and "with consummate imagination" (StageSceneLA). The show received multiple theater award nominations, including a local Robby Award nomination for "Best Director" and a win for "Best Ensemble Performance". He also co-founded and executive produces the popular musicals concert series, ALittleNewMusic.org. The cast of On The Roof will feature: Gina Torrecilla, Clayton Farris, Daniel Stewart, Gino Marconi, Brad Griffith, Jeffrey Landman, Kelly Schumann, Chris Pearson, Tommy Vergason, Gabriel Romero, and Brittney Wheeler.

PRICING Admission is free... with donations gratefully accepted.

Celebrating New Works is produced by Celebration Theatre's Literary Director Nathan Frizzell. Celebration Theatre is headed by its Co-Artistic Directors Michael Matthews and Michael A. Shepperd, along with its Executive Director Michael C. Kricfalusi.