Celebration Presents SKIN LIKE MILK As Part Of Its Celebrating New Works Series

Celebration Theatre presents, as part of its Celebrating New Works reading series, SKIN LIKE MILK by Ryan Fogarty, directed by Ryan Bergmann and performing one night only on Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30pm at The West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd in West Hollywood.

Berlin, 1941. In a makeshift basement gay bar, Heinrich and Otto have just strangled a Nazi officer. Shortly after hiding the body, guests arrive attempting to forget the destruction from last night's air raids. Adding to the raw nerves in the room, Emile, Heinrich's former lover, and his new interest, a young man, Horst, show up to share a drink and a bit of music with their friends. As the night unravels, the alcohol disappears and air raids resume, the men realize that their dark bar is no longer a refuge from the hateful world above. Their demons have followed them below, unmasking enemies and facing the possibility of an unlikely escape.

RYAN FOGARTY (Playwright) is a New York-based playwright. His plays include Bethlehem, PA, You'll Catch Flies, Goldfish Love, Beating Off, and Skin Like Milk. He currently holds commissions from New Conservatory Theater Center and the Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. He has enjoyed play development experiences at Second Stage Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, LAByrinth, The Flea, WP Theater, Celebration, Strawdog, Fresh Ground Pepper, The Lark, Magic Time! at Judson, the Drama League, among others. He is a member of Crashbox Theater Company's 2018/19 Write.Play.Launch playwrights' group. Honors include Robert Chesley/Victor Bumbalo Award, Wurlitzer Foundation Fellow, Heideman Award - finalist, Bookshop Workshops Selection, Princess Grace Award and O'Neill National Playwrights Conference - semifinalist, and Cherry Lane Mentor Project - finalist. Graduate of NYU Tisch.

Ryan Bergmann (Director) is a Los Angeles based theatrical director and producer. He has spent well over a decade devoted to promoting and growing the arts community in and around the Los Angeles area and beyond. He specializes in new works and developing theatre arts that foster communication and acceptance of all communities. Ryan earned his BA in Theatre and German at Truman State University and has continued his studies throughout the world. In 2015 Ryan and his partner in crime, Janet Roston, proudly established Mixed eMotion Theatrix with the dream of bringing the magic and joys of theatre, dance and multimedia to all communities throughout the world to further acceptance and growth within us all. His most recent directorial work includes, "Mutt House, the Musical" (Kirk Douglas), "Die Mommie Die" (Kirk Douglas), "Die Mommie Die" (Celebration Theatre), "Niagara Falls" (Theatre of NOTE), "Bronies the Musical" (LA Fringe, Best Musical Winner), "revolver" (Celebration Theatre), "The Real Housekeepers of Studio City" (LA Fringe, Best of Fringe Winner).

NATHAN FRIZZELL (Producer) Since 2013, Nathan has been the Executive Producer of Celebrating New Works as Literary Director of Celebration Theatre. During that time, Celebration has helped to give voice to new works by over 40 LGBTQ and Allied artists. As a member of Celebration Theatre, Nathan has appeared onstage (Four, Beautiful Thing, Stupid Kids) and produced numerous mainstage productions including Booty Candy, Die Mommie Die!, Priscilla, Queen of the Desertand the Ovation Award-winning West Coast premiere of The Boy From Oz. Last year, Nathan- along with Jay Marcus and Tom Detrinis- developed the world premieres of two smash hits So Long, Boulder Cityand Tilda Swinton Answers An Ad on Craigslistwhich bold sold out lengthy runs in Los Angeles before going Off-Broadway in New York. An actor, writer and producer, Nathan is proud to have been a Celebration Theatre company member since 2005. @nathanfrizzell http://www.nathanfrizzell.com

The cast of SKIN LIKE MILK will feature: Nathan Frizzell, John Colella, Pat Towne, Kevin Fabian, and June Carryl.

Admission is free... with donations gratefully accepted.

Celebrating New Works is produced by Celebration Theatre's Literary Director Nathan Frizzell. Celebration Theatre is headed by its Artistic Director Michael A. Shepperd, along with its Executive Director Michael C. Kricfalusi.