That $20 you just found in your pocket - put it to good use!

I'm way too sore and still a bit giddy and bemused... yes your mind is in the gutter and yes you'z probably right ;) ... to bother writing any of my own story today... so instead I will do my good deed of the week...

Theater needs your help - so HELP!! (cuz really you were totally gonna waste that $20 on cheetos and porn)

Will LeVasseur sent you a message on Facebook

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Subject: Help

Hey guys!

I don’t do this very often. However, in light of recent events, it has become a necessity. As many of you know, I’m putting together a show of Lonely Planet by Steven Dietz, though many of you don’t know quite what it’s about.

Set in 1992 during the height of the AIDS crisis, when people were dropping dead left and right, two characters, Jody and Carl, struggle to find their place in the storm whirling around them. Jody, owner of Jody’s Maps, has holed himself up in his store, refusing to leave and acknowledge what’s happening to his friends and neighborhood. Carl, a fixture and customer of Jody’s Maps, keeps bringing in chairs to Jody, to bring to him what he’s missing out his front door. While the subject matter is deep and serious, Lonely Planet is covered in comedy to make this jagged little pill easier to swallow.

This show is important to me for several reasons. 1) It’s my return to the stage as a lead role Off-Off Broadway in four years. 2) The subject matter is very close to my heart as quite a few of those I love dearly are living with HIV and AIDS. And 3) This show is just as relevant now as it was 16 years ago. New HIV cases for 12-27 year olds in NYC for 2007 has risen 85%. Yes, you read that right, 85%. Those of my generation and younger view the AIDS crisis as a page in history. I was 11 when the crisis hit its peak. I, or those my age, have no visceral idea of what it was to live in that era, and now we’re seeing risky behaviors on the rise (New stat came out last week, 40% of those who have multiple sex partners in NYC admit to barebacking, or not using a condom.). There’s no question that we need a wake up call, and my part of that is doing this show.

We’re talking with outreach groups and charities like Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS to get the word out and get people to see this show. To not view this crisis as a thing of the past, but a beast that hibernated long enough to regain strength and has come back to feed.

Now that you know the back story, this is where I ask for your help.

I’ve tapped out all my resources, and my fund raiser netted less than $100 (thanks to those who showed!). Right now, as it stands, if donations don’t start to come in, I won’t be able to do this show.

I’m asking if you have $1, $5, $10 or more to spare, to please follow the link below:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=info%40stolenchair%2eorg&item_name=Tax%2ddeductible%20contribution%20to%20Redd%20Tale%20Productions&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8

STOLEN CHAIR THEATRE COMPANY is generous enough to umbrella my theatre company, REDD TALE, and any amount that comes is will be given a tax-deductible receipt for that amount for 2008.

As a special gift till July 15th, if you donate $25, I’ll give you a ticket to come see the show. If you’ve donated already, you get a ticket! Just let me know what date you prefer. The more you donate, the better the benefits. You can visit www.reddtale.org and click on DONATE to learn more.

In addition, if you visit the website, we’re offering discounted tickets of $12 as a presale. Get your tickets now by clicking the date (hyperlinks are hidden) and Paypal will take care of the rest! Hurry, this special ends July 15th!

Word of mouth is a great tool. If you’re not able to donate or purchase a ticket, believe me, I totally understand. If you would be so kind to pass this on to some great folks, it would be greatly appreciated. Even a good thought our direction helps! Can’t get enough of those!

Thank you very much for your time, and your kindness.

Love and light,

Will Le Vasseur
Artistic Director of Redd Tale Theatre Company
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AND...

Look at Tuckaberry Productions’ fantastic new sound system progress!

Holy Hamiltons, Batman! We're off to a great start thanks to our contributors to the

Three Hundred Hamiltons!

Campaign.

Contributors so far: Anonymous, Margaret Cross, Helen Wicker

We're asking everyone reading this to please consider a ten-dollar donation this summer.

Ten dollars:

…It's less than the cost of a ticket to a summer movie.

…It's the price of a pair of Duane Reade sunglasses.

…It's a bottle of sunscreen.

It's the chance to get Tuckaberry on its feet for 2008-2009 so that we can keep bringing Brooklyn families and local schools great theater for reasonable prices.

Click HERE to make a donation online

or to donate by mail, send checks to:

Tuckaberry Productions, Inc.

85 Eastern Parkway, 6E

Brooklyn, NY 11238

Tuckaberry Productions is a non-profit New York State charity. All donations are tax-deductible, and 100% of your donation goes to producing high-quality theater for kids, their families, and their teachers.