Alexandra Billings in "Before I Disappear" at NY's Producer's Club

LAMPKIN MUSIC GROUP (http://www.lampkinmusic.com/) is proud to announce the off-Broadway debut of the critically acclaimed, Chicago production of "Before I Disappear," starring award-winning transgendered actress/singer/writer Alexandra Billings. This is a special one-week-only engagement, running from Wednesday, April 23rd through Sunday, April 27th in the GRAND THEATER AT THE PRODUCER'S CLUB (358 West 44th Street, NYC). Tickets are $50 and are available by calling SmartTix at 1-212-868-5252 or at the website http://www.smarttix.com/. The show on Wednesday, April 23rd is a special benefit night for BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS (http://www.bcefa.org/) with 20% of the proceeds going directly to this terrific group. Showtimes are 7:30 pm with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm.

"BEFORE I DISAPPEAR" first opened in Chicago at the BAILIWICK ARTS CENTER (1229 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL - 773-883-1090) in 1996. Based on an idea by Artistic Director David Zak, the book and music were written by Alexandra Billings with lyrics by Chrisanne Blakenship. Directed and developed by Mary Beidler Gearen. Stage managed by Margo E. Eccles, who also designed the lights, this show ran to full houses. Receiving great coverage and good reviews from the Chicago press, Alexandra Billings reached different heights with this special autobiographical show. "Before I Disappear" runs one and a half hours and is filled with comedy, tears and the knowledge that a human being can take charge of ones life and make that change.

Alexandra Billings has appeared at the legendary Steppenwolf Theater in "A Time to Burn" (Jeff Award for Best Ensemble), "Space," ( named TOP TEN by Time Magazine) and in the role of "Perry" in "Waving Goodbye" especially written for her by author Jamie Pachino; as "Nancy Regan" in Larry Kramer's "Just Say No," co-starring Greg Luganis and in the greatest role ever written for the musical stage "Mama Rose" in "Gypsy," both at Bailiwick Theater. Her debut CD "Being Alive" was in the top twenty on Amazon.com for nine months and named the "CD Debut of the Year" by Marle Becker of WBAI-FM OUT NY.

Last March 2002, Alex made her Off-Off Broadway debut in the role of "Gertrude" in the musical comedy "Melancholy Baby" which was co-written by Jeff Richards (husband of Saturday Night Live's Tina Fey). This past October, Alexandra made TV HISTORY, when she was picked as the first transgendered person to portray a transgendered TV movie character in the role of "Donna" in the TV MOVIE of the Week - "Romy and Michelle - Behind the Velvet Rope." Alexandra Billings has graced the cover of The Advocate with Greg Luganis, Gay Chicago Magazine, and has been profiled in P.O.Z., Windy City Times and named one of the 2001 "Chicagoans of the Year" by the Chicago Tribune, besides being heard in the Midwest on her weekly Windy City Times radio entertainment spot. Television appearances include Entertainment Tonight, The Cheap Show and the Janet Davies Show on ABC-TV. Alex received the prestigious MAC/HANSON award in 2002, from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets, and has 5 After Dark Awards for her work in the Chicago cabaret world. Alexandra Billings has been living with the disease "AIDS" for over fifteen years and remains one of it's hardest working opponents.

The "Before I Disappear" team is: Book and Songs by Alexandra Billings; Lyrics by Chrisanne Blakenship; Directed with Script Development by Mary Beidler Gearen; Light Design and Stage Management by Margo E. Eccles; Musical Direction by Bill Underwood; Production Manager is Rusty Hernandez; Produced by Lampkin Music Group. The production team is making it's Off Broadway producing debut with this show. Each has credits that range from "RiverDance" and "Carnegie Hall" in New York, to presentations at the Mercury, Apollo and Bailiwick Theaters in Chicago; "The Christmas Schooner" in Minn., and "Princess Turandot" in New York, to the world of recording and TV.

 

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