Wed, February 2 2011
Media Contact
Cindi Creager, Director of Communications & Marketing
(212) 620-7310, ccreager@gaycenter.org
MEDIA ADVISORY
Tony Award Winning Director Michael Greif; Actor/Vocalist Billy Porter to Speak at NYC LGBT Center on Monday, February 7, 2011 (7 PM)
Topic: Angels in America Revival on Broadway
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center is pleased to present Tony award winning director Michael Greif (Rent) along with vocalist and actor Billy Porter. Greif and Porter will discuss the current revival of Tony Kusher’s sold out Broadway production of Angels in America (Part 1 & 2) at the Signature Theatre Company. Porter stars in the show under Greif’s direction. The discussion will be moderated by local television producer Frank Di Lella of NY 1.
WHAT: Michael Greif and Billy Porter with Frank Di Lella discuss Angels in America Revival on Broadway.
WHEN: Monday, February 7, 2011 at 7:00 PM
WHERE: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, 208 West 13th Street, New York, New York
CONTACT: Cindi Creager, Director of Communications & Marketing
+ 1 (212) 620-7310, ccreiger@gaycenter.org
Angels in America, Part1: Millennium Approaches and Part 2: Pesrestroika is the landmark 1991 Pulitzer Prize winning epic drama about two couples whose relationships are disintegrating. The play is set in America in the 1980s against a backdrop of greed, conservatism, sexual politics, and the discovery of AIDS. It is this backdrop that provides Angels in America its magnitude and sets it apart from other love stories. In this play, the plot is largely driven by its themes, which are viewed from different characters' perspectives while the story unfolds.
About Billy Porter
Before embarking on a career as a mainstream pop vocalist, Billy Porter built a substantial reputation as a theatrical singer in Broadway productions such as Grease and Smokey Joe's Cafe. He made his initial impact by placing 'Love Is On The Way' on the soundtrack to the film First Wives' Club, in 1996. His debut album, Untitled, was firmly anchored in traditional R&B territory, with several key ballads included (such as a cover version of Glenn Jones's Show Me) in an attempt to win over mainstream radio. His backing band featured several musicians better known for their work in the theatre, including Warren J. McCrae, Gary Haase and Peter Zizzo, his producer. Unsurprisingly for a multi-faceted performer, Porter's record company wanted their artist to be seen live, and his support slot to Sounds Of Blackness in New York in May 1997 attracted some encouraging reviews prior to his own headlining dates.
About Director Michael Greif Michael
Greif directed the Second Stage and Arena Stage productions of Next to Normal (Tony nomination). Recent work includes Angels in America at the Signature Theatre, The Winter's Tale (NYSF at the Delacorte), Tony Kushner's The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide... at the Guthrie, The Three Sisters (Williamstown) and Romeo and Juliet (NYSF at the Delacorte). Broadway credits include Grey Gardens (Tony nom.), Rent (Tony nom.) and Never Gonna Dance. Off-Broadway: Landscape of the Body, A Few Stout Individuals (Signature); Satellites, Dogeaters (Obie), Marisol, Pericles, Casanova, A Bright Room Called Day, Machinal (Obie) at NYSF; Boys’ Life, Spike Heels (Second Stage); A Very Common Procedure, The Distance From Here (MCC); Spatter Pattern (Playwrights Horizons); Mr. Marmalade (Roundabout); and Beauty of the Father (MTC). At New York Theatre Workshop (Artistic Associate), he directed Cavedweller; Bright Lights, Big City; and the original production of Rent (Obie). Favorite regional productions include The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull, Street Scene, Tonight at 8:30, Once in a Lifetime (Williamstown); and Our Town, Sweet Bird of Youth, Boy, Randy Newman’s Faust, Slavs and Thérèse Raquin at La Jolla, where he was artistic director (1995-99).
About the Moderator Frank Di Lella
Frank Di Lella is a producer for NY1, the 24-hour news station in New York City owned and operated by Time Warner Cable. Frank has been with NY1 since 2004 and has held various positions including researcher, assignment editor, and planning editor. In 2006, he began producing the New Yorker of the Week segment - a weekly feature that honors a New York City resident who gives back to the community. In the fall of 2007, Frank broke the news of the Broadway stagehands strike for the station and covered the three-week dispute day and night; he even camped out overnight in the live truck to make sure no developments were missed. And in the final moments, Frank was onsite to break the news that the strike was officially over! Shortly after, he was promoted to producer for NY1’s ON STAGE where you can currently catch him giving the weekly scoop on the New York City theatre scene and beyond.
For more information on the program please contact Cindi Creager (ccreager@gaycenter.org.)
*** About the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center Established in 1983, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, located at 208 West 13th Street in New York City is the largest LGBT community center on the East Coast. More than 6,000 people visit the Center weekly and 300 groups meet here. More information is available at gaycenter.org.
About the Center
A beacon of hope for 29 years, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center builds and supports our community through arts and culture, wellness and recovery, family services and life-saving youth programs designed to foster healthy development in a safe, affirming environment. The Center envisions a world where LGBT people will no longer face discrimination or isolation because of who we are or who we love. We offer a welcoming home to 300,000 visitors each year and we are committed to serving all LGBT people through a variety of programs, services and activities that are designed to meet existing and emerging needs.The Center is many things to many people. We invite you to experience our home at 208 West 13th Street in person and online at gaycenter.org
