Pride Films and Plays announces its first FL!P Fest - four nights of staged readings of full-length funny lesbian plays. The plays, to be read one per night on three Tuesdays (October 29, November 5, November 12), and on Wednesday, November 13; will range from a warm and witty comedy exploring the trials of having a forbidden relationship in Hollywood, to a laugh out loud all-female farce, complete with fancy explosions. The festival is curated and directed by Sara BenBella, Jessica DeBolt, and Leah Geis. Curtain times are 7:30 pm each night.
L-R: Sara BenBella, Jessica DeBolt, Leah Geis.
The festival will open on Tuesday, October 29th , with LETHAL WOMAN, written by Heidi FitzGerald and directed by Jessica Debolt. A robbery at the art museum prompts venerated cop Taz to take on The Case of the Missing Cream Pitcher! Hijinks and a fair number of puns ensue as this farce winds its way to the shocking conclusion!
Next, on Tuesday, November 5th , will be THE QUEENS FOOL: A QUEER FAIRYTALE, written by Kathleen Grotzinger and directed by Sara BenBella. When the Queen, unable to fall asleep, sends for a fool to amuse her she is given more then she bargains for. A surprisingly heartfelt love story that balances; fantasy, gender, and Shakespeare. Come along and let The Fool take you on their journey.
The Tuesday, November 12th play is SAPPHIC SWITCHEROO, a night of scenes from classical comedies performed by all-female casts. Scenes will be taken from AS YOU LIKE IT, LYSISTRATA, SIR PATIENT FANCY, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS, and TARTUFFE. Directing the scenes will be Leah Geis, Sara Benbella, and Jessica Debolt.
The final play of the FL!P Fest. on Wednesday, November 13th, will be MOVIE QUEENS, by Claudia Allen, and directed by Leah Geis. Former Hollywood starlets and secret lovers reunite 50 years after the height of their career to make their Broadway debut. Sharing the stage with their 1930's selves, this Chicago classic combines witty humor and heartfelt insights to reveal the triumphs and losses as well as progressions and stagnations this dynamic couple have seasoned over the past five decades.
Plays will be performed at 7:30pm each night in The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago. All seats are $10.00. Tickets available soon by phone at 866-811-4111 or 773-857-0222 or online at www.pridefilmsandplays.com.
LISTING INFORMATION
FL!P Fest of Funny Lesbian Plays
Staged readings of four comedies
Tuesday, October 29th
LETHAL WOMAN,
written by Heidi FitzGerald
directed by Jessica Debolt
Tuesday, November 5th
THE QUEENS FOOL: A QUEER FAIRYTALE,
written by Kathleen Grotzinger
directed by Sara BenBella
Tuesday, November 12th
SAPPHIC SWITCHEROO
Directed by Leah Geis, Sara Benbella, and Jessica Debolt.
Wednesday, November 13th
MOVIE QUEENS, by Claudia Allen,
directed by Leah Geis
All curtain times 7:30 pm
The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago
All seats $10.00. Tickets available by phone at 866-811-4111 or 773-857-0222 or online at www.pridefilmsandplays.com
ABOUT PRIDE FILMS AND PLAYS
Pride Films and Plays changes lives through the generation of diverse new work (or work that is new to Chicago) with LGBTQ+ characters or themes that is essential viewing for all audiences. The company produces a four-play season of full productions, shoots one short film each year, and continues our famed play developmental projects. PFP is the principal tenant in Pride Arts Center.
Pride Arts Center, in its own right, produces events complementing the PFP vision, including dance, cabaret, film, and more. Events can be one-night or limited run productions or feature national treasures like Charles Busch. PAC occupies The Broadway at 4139 N. Broadway, which has 85 seats, and The Buena, which has 50 seats at 4147 N Broadway.
Pride Films and Plays is supported by The MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at The Richard Driehaus Foundation, The Illinois Arts Council, City of Chicago’s City Arts Fund, the Elliott Fredland Charitable Trust, Proud to Run, the AmazonSmile Foundation, Arts and Business Foundation, Tap Root Foundation, Arts and Business Council, and Alphawood Foundation.
PFP is a member of the Smart Growth Program of the Chicago Community Trust. Pride Films and Plays is a member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Northhalsted Business Association, Uptown United, and The League of Chicago Theatres.
For more information, visit www.pridefilmsandplays.com or call 1.800.737.0984.