I’m inspired by the sight of so many new faces, companies and festivals on the DC theater scene,  but nothing makes me happier than being back with longtime collaborators who so defined my directing career (and my life) before I moved overseas.

Chris Griffin (or was it his twin sister Lucrezia Blozia?) starred in my production of Erik Jackson’s brilliant Ibsen-meets-Barbie spoof Doll years ago and is (perhaps foolishly) allowing me to direct him again, this time in a mad comedy of his own creation, a B-movie space romp called 20 Million Breaststrokes to Earth, which is part of the Hope Operas play series, also conceived by Chris.  

Madder still is the series structure, serialized over 6 Monday nights from October 5 to November 9.  On Monday October 5, our play, and 4 others, will each present our episode 1. On Monday October 12 you’ll see episode 2 of all of the plays, and so on... Reserve your tickets by emailing hopeoperas@gmail.com 

Each audience member receives a ballot with their playbill and votes for their favorite show of the night; a proportional amount of box office receipts then goes to the charity of choice of each of the shows.  Don’t miss a single episode!--it’s in the backroom warehouse of Miss Pixie’s on 14th Street (yup, speaking of homecomings, it’s a vintage shop at 14th & R!), Mondays from Oct 5 to November 9.

Our chosen charity for this show is the Mautner Project, the national lesbian health organization, which has a strong focus on breast cancer treatment, prevention and research, and which has had its budget slashed this year.  Wish us luck replenishing their coffers and building support and awareness for the Mautner Project! (...and if you can’t make the show, don’t hesitate to donate anyway!)