*PRESS RELEASE* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 5/19/16 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contact: Andrew Rothman From: Chagrin Valley Little Theatre 40 River Street Chagrin Falls, OH 44122 Phone: 440-247-8955 E-mail: cvlt@cvlt.org <mailto:cvlt@cvlt.org> Website: www.cvlt.org <http://www.cvlt.org/> PHOTOS available for download at www.CVLT.org/promo <http://www.CVLT.org/promo> Opening June 3 Chagrin Valley Little Theatre's CALENDAR GIRLS is a page-turner of a comedy Actresses pose for calendar to benefit local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society CHAGRIN FALLS, OH – Would you bare it all for a good cause? In Chagrin Valley Little Theatre’s production of CALENDAR GIRLS, a group of middle-aged women reveal the courage to help each other through difficult times. This heartfelt comedy about love, loss, and enduring friendships runs 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, June 3 – 25 on CVLT's Main Stage at 40 River Street in Chagrin Falls. The play was adapted by Tim Firth from the 2003 Miramax film of the same name (starring Helen Mirren) that he co-wrote with Juliette Towhidi. It's based on the true story of a group of Yorkshire, UK women, proving that there’s nothing more poignant or funny than real life. When Annie’s husband John dies of leukemia, her best friend Chris decides to honor his memory and their friendship with a gift to the cancer wing at the local hospital. She enlists their chapter of the Women's Institute, a volunteer service group, for help. However, the group's usual method of fund raising, consisting of producing and selling a calendar with photos of local churches and bridges, seems too pale to attract the kind of money they hope to raise. Instead they drop their inhibitions and enlist the help of a hospital porter / amateur photographer to create a calendar that raises eyebrows along with more than enough money to reach their goal. The calendar gains the friends unexpected global attention, which brings unexpected consequences. The real-life 'calendar girls' of Yorkshire sold over 88,000 copies of their original calendar in 1999, and hundreds of thousands of calendars in the following years. They have since raised millions of dollars for cancer research causes. Directed by Barbara L. Rhoades, CVLT's production of CALENDAR GIRLS offers logistical challenges along with typical staging wrinkles to be ironed out. “It’s a bit of a tease. A fan dance, really,” Rhoades said. "There’s a suggestion of nudity, but it’s not a peep show. The play is really about the women’s friendship and the lengths they will go to help and support each other, and about knowing when to let go. In the process, each character reveals more of her personality, determination, and strength.” Along with learning their lines and exploring their characters for the stage performance, the cast posed for a fun and blush-inducing June 2016 - June 2017 calendar that Chagrin Valley Little Theatre will sell for $10, with all proceeds donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Northern Ohio Chapter. The calendar will be available for purchase at the Little Theatre and at a booth at Art By The Falls June 11-12 in Riverside Park. CVLT’s cast includes Kate Williams-Bernardo, Andrew Beah, Michael Canton, Sharon Lloyd, Grace Mannarino, Mark Moore, Margo Parker, Juliana Perel, Bette Prendergast, Michael Rogan, Rachel Roth, Linda Ryan, and Micki Yackin. Nancy Rogoff serves as the show's Producer with Helen Rizi as Assistant Director / Stage Manager. An amusing promotional video has been posted at Facebook.com/ChagrinTheatre and YouTube.com/ChagrinTheatre. Tickets are $18 with $4 discount for seniors and students. Group rates for parties of 10 or more and fundraiser re-sale are available. Tickets may be purchased at CVLT.org <http://cvlt.org>, by calling 440-247-8955 <tel:440-247-8955> or at the Box Office located at 40 River St. in Chagrin Falls. Box Office hours are 1 - 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. CVLT is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and supported by the Ohio Arts Council. CVLT is a proud member of the American Association of Community Theatre and the Ohio Community Theatre Association. ###