Like a Plaything: The Second Annual Gala of The Playthings Theatre

Playthings is happy to announce its second annual gala. This year we will have performances by Billy Bell from So You Think You Can Dance, Lunge Dance Collective and other live performers to be announced shortly. Playthings mission is to create an artistic environment for the LGBT community and their allies to provide a context of understanding the complex roots of sexuality. By doing so they bring both classic and contemporary works from the LGBT writers to the stage to enlighten the brilliance and elegance of the community. The company provides performances to the LGBT community that will shape not only an understanding of its past sacrifices, but of the present and future endeavors which it wishes to achieve. Like a Plaything performs Thursday, January 23rd at 7:00PM at Alvin Ailey located at 405 W55th Street and 9th Ave. Tickets are $70.00. After show reception for an additional $40.00. Tickets can be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets http://likeaplaything.bpt.me For more information visit www.Playthingstheatre.com ------------------ Billy Bell is current member on JUMP Dance Convention, Assistant Choreographer and Artist with Cherice Barton (New York, NY), and a member of Jose Navasʼ Company Flak (Montreal, QC). Having set works on contemporary companies from Los Angeles to New York, Billy is starting his transition from dancer to choreographer. A 2nd runner-up recipient of the 2011 Capezio A.C.E. award, Billy has set works on multiple professional companies including Westside Dance Project (Los Angeles, CA) and DeMa Dance (Brooklyn, NY). He is also the founder of two ensembles, the Dreyfoos Dance Ensemble (created in 2007) and Billy Bellʼs Lunge Dance Collective (2010). Billy and Lunge Dance Collective were commissioned to lead a residency in the spring of 2012 at Michigan State University, just before the 2012 New Creation of "You'll Never Be Alone" and subsequent tour in the Summer of 2012. Lunge Dance Collective is a blossoming young dance collective that promotes collaboration between artists of many different mediums. Founded by Billy Bell, in March of 2010, the goal was to expose young artists to each other, in hopes of creating a stronger network for them to aid one another and start their budding careers. What resulted was so much more when Lunge became not only an artistic escape for the dancers, but also a family and a group of artists who truly value the love for art, and each other. Lunge has now expanded across North America and has had the privilege to cross paths with over 60 artists, each of to whom Lunge Dance Collective owes all of its success and artistic merit. The collective has had performances in Florida, New York, Colorado, Nevada, California, London (ON), and Texas. Dance Spirit Magazine calls Lunge a “unique and eye-popping talent”. Lunge has been awarded the Rudolph A. Frank Prize for the Emerging Arts, done multiple residencies including DanceNYC Silo, and collaborated with Westside Dance Project, NMRKT.com, and Bryn Cohn and Artists. With innovative ideas and mass opportunity, Lunge Dance Collective believes that anything is possible and strives to create boundary pushing art that is both marketable and unique. Natalie Douglas' gorgeous pipes, combined with effortless vocal styling and inspiring song interpretation are the hallmarks of nightclub diva Natalie Douglas, a seven-time MAC Award, Nightlife Award and Backstage Bistro Award winner, whose recent appearances include Birdland Jazz Club, Carnegie Hall, Café Carlyle, Town Hall, The Crazy Coqs and numerous Cabaret Conventions presented by The Mabel Mercer Foundation across the U.S., London, and throughout the Mediterranean. Her musical celebrations of Nina Simone, Lena Horne, Nat “King” Cole, the music of the 70s, and Café Society have had U.S. & International audiences on their feet clapping long, loud, and yelling for more. Natalie's second CD, To Nina...Live At Birdland, was released to critical delight and selections from that CD and her first, Not That Different, continue to be heard on NPR, Sirius & BBCLondon. She also appears on Fine and Dandy for PS Classics and Broadway By The Year: 1940 on Bayview Records. Mark Hartman is an Associate Producer of SILENCE THE MUSICAL, and was an original Producer of SILENCE for fringeNYC. As a Music Director, his Broadway credits include SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM and AVENUE Q. Off-Broadway: STAR OF DAVID, SILENCE THE MUSICAL, AVENUE Q, THE FANTASTICKS, ERNEST IN LOVE, TAKE ME ALONG, FINIAN'S RAINBOW, THE IRISH...AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY. National Tour: PIPPIN, GUYS AND DOLLS, THE IRISH... Regional: Broadway In Chicago, The Old Globe, A.R.T., North Shore Music Theatre, Asolo Rep, Cape Playhouse, PlayMakers Repertory Company, and many more. He has been the Music Director on four NYMF shows in prior seasons, and a fifth this season. Mark is the recipient of two MAC Awards and the Backstage Bistro Award for Music Direction, and an IRNE Award and BroadwayWorld Boston Award nominee for Music Direction. Contact: Playthingstheatre@gmail.com