'Cocaine and Ethel Merman: The New Homo Guide'

By L. Robert Westeen

Directed by L. Robert Westeen

Proud Theater is pleased to welcome playwright L. Robert Westeen back to Wisconsin for 4 showings of his hit one-person show 'Cocaine and Ethel Merman: The New Homo Guide', a humorous romp through the life of a man who spends an evening with a cocaine-addicted Ethel Merman female impersonator and ends up developing a new outlook on his own life, past and present.

The performances are being presented in Wisconsin April 2-5, 2014 as a benefit for Proud Theater - a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersexed and Allied youth theater troupe (LGBTQIA) currently with 3 chapters around the state. Founded in 1999, Proud Theater encourages these youth to share their own stories of coming out and life through the creation of original theatrical works which they then present to the community at large throughout the school year.

'Cocaine and Ethel Merman: The New Homo Guide' was originally developed by Westeen - a Wausau, Wisconsin Native - as a performance piece about his own life in the hopes of inspiring a young friend in the process of coming out to find a place in the world.

‘[It] takes you down a rabbit hole and on a few rabbit trails,’ says Westeen of the show, “[and is] a study on living life to its fullest, never taking moments for granted, and being who you are no matter what others may think.” The show was a finalist in the 2012 Houston Press ‘Houston Theater Awards’ for Best Playwright, and recently was presented at the 2013 Minnesota Fringe Festival to strong critical acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

“L. Robert Westeen's one-man show features defiantly traditional storytelling about coming out, with a tale strong enough at its center, told so well, that it's compelling for any audience, gay or straight.” –Phillip Andrew Bennett Low (MNArtists.org)

“One of the best shows I have seen... Heartwarming ... You see a very personal side of the actor that makes you honored to see his show and hear his story. You definitely have to see this show.” – Twin Cities Daily Planet

‘Cocaine and Ethel Merman: The New Homo Guide’ opens on April 2 in Milwaukee, 730PM at the Boulevard Ensemble Studio Theatre, 2252 Kinnickinnic, and then moves to Madison on April 3, 730PM at Edgewood College, 1000 Edgewood College Drive, in the Black Box Theatre, and then wraps up in Wausau with two shows on April 4 & 5, 730PM on the University of Wisconsin Marathon County, 518 S. 7th Ave in the Auditorium (Room 133).
Tickets are $10 at the door and can be reserved via email at reservations@proudtheater.org, or by calling the Proud Theater information line at 608-222-9086. Tickets must be picked up no later than 15 minutes before curtain, or they will be made available for sale. The box office opens ˝ hour before show time.

Produced by Proud Theater at Edgewood College's Black Box Theatre, The Stream Building, 1000 Edgewood College Drive,Madison

Performances: April 3, 2014

Performance Times: April 3, 2014 – 730PM

Ticket Prices: Tickets are $10 at the door; Seats can be reserved at reservations@proudtheater.org.

Call 608-222-9086 for reservations or more information.

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