The Open Fist Theatre Company

THIS WEEK THIS WEEK, the hilarious political sketch show, has entertained and enlightened audiences since March 2022. Guest stars such as Brendan Hunt (Ted Lasso), Steven Weber (Chicago Med), Rebecca Metz (Better Things), Ron Song (Jury Duty), and Josh Banday (Not Dead Yet) have joined forces with our core casts of crack comedians to tackle the big issues of the day. But we need your help. (You knew that was coming.) Box office receipts alone cannot sustain the mission of these comedy paratroopers. THIS WEEK THIS WEEK hopes to produce about 30 shows--each completely new!---in 2024 and each performance has standing costs of about $1000, so you see the math. The Open Fist Theater in Atwater Village is the nonprofit organization to which you'll make your tax deductible donation. No amount is too small.

If you are not familiar with THIS WEEK THIS WEEK, every Tuesday (okay, sometimes we take a week off), our talented and diverse group of writers from all over the USA submit funny sketches that offer keen insight into current events. On Wednesday, the managing editor selects and curates the scenes that are read through by the cast on Zoom on Wednesday night. The hour long show is rehearsed and presented in front of a live audience on Thursday night. With the 2024 election less than a year away, we want to carry on with our demanding but beloved process of satirizing news, sports, and entertainment.

The over 200 writers and actors that are regularly involved in this project are grateful for whatever you can donate. Help THIS WEEK THIS WEEK continue to share its unique lens on today's world!

TWTW #57 National Football League of Justice. Hank Jacobs, Robert Chan!, Amanda Weier, Lou Saliba, Angie Campbell, Elle Engelman, Steven Weber, Ash Saunders, Stephanie Maura Sanchez, Kassie Johnston, and Ben Tibbels.

TWTW #33 Spy Balooney Tunes. Gabbie Fried, Rebecca Velez Barnard, Elle Engelman, Mary Valena Broussard, Doreen Calderon, and Rosie Byrne.

TWTW #24 Ron Song Remains the Same. Ron Song and Ed Glazer.

TWTW #47 37 > 45. Emma Bruno and Jack David Sharpe.

https://youtu.be/Wx59xAScrL4

Click above for the very latest 60 second video broadcast with Anchor George Caleodis.

TWTW #44 Across the Alternate Universe. Chloe Cardenas, Kassie Johnston, Fay Gauthier, Derek Manson, Amanda Weier, John Dimitri, Ash Saunders, Kylie Eberhardt, Jack David Sharpe, Luke Lizalde, Hank Jacobs, Ron West, Joshuah Arismendi, and Mike McShane.

Hello friends!

I haven’t directed a show in a while. And you know what the last few years have been like… If you’re like me you spent the pandemic reexamining and readjusting what it is you’d like to do with the rest of your time: places you’d like to see, experiences you’d like to explore… and dream projects you’d like to bring to life.

A couple of years ago my dear friend Becky Wahlstrom wrote a play called A Froggy Becomes and as soon as I read it, it became a dream of mine to get it done. Becky is one of the coolest, toughest, funniest, most vibrant, most imaginative, people I know. And she wrote a play about a tough little girl who defeats the odds fate has handed her so she can live her life the way she wants to.

I love Becky and I love her play. And I am overjoyed to announce that A Froggy Becomes will now be produced in March of next year by The Open Fist Theatre Company under my direction.

The Open Fist has been a stalwart member of the small theatre community here in Los Angeles for decades and has been awarded and recognized as one of the best in the city. They were the ones who produced my staging of Frank Zappa’s Joe’s Garage (that Becky actually starred in!) in 2008.

But with changing homes, Covid, and the complete restructuring of the small theatre scene here in Los Angeles, Open Fist is struggling of late, and we could use a little help in getting Froggy done.

The Open Fist Theatre Company is a 501c3 non-profit organization (Fed tax ID # 95-4374304), and all donations will go directly to the production of A Froggy Becomes by Becky Wahlstrom directed by yours truly, Pat Towne.

So if you love good theatre, need a nice tax write-off, and can help your brother make a dream come true, please consider donating to the show. It’s gonna be one of the best things I’ve ever done. Can’t wait to see you there!

Thank you!

xo

pt

AUDIENCE (and now Donor) TESTIMONIALS:

JEAN SMART (Actress) I’m so glad I got to see the play! It really is brilliantly written and your cast is fabulous!!

BOB ODENKIRK (Actor) Catherine, you wrote a great, funny, surprising and extremely watchable play in "To the Bone." Congratulations on doing an incredibly hard thing so well.

STEVEN TOBOLOWSKY (Actor, Author, Director) -- Last night Ann and I went to The Open Fist Theater Co.'s production of Catherine Butterfield's "To the Bone" at

the Atwater Village Theatre. It is everything you want in a play. You laugh, you cry, you see monsters, you see angels, you see yourself somewhere in the terrifying,

hilarious mix. What a cast. By the end of Act Two I was still on the edge of my seat.

SHAW PURNELL (Actress) We had a ball! Thanks to the masterful cast and crew! Please get busy finding a new venue because I want to come again; bring friends and bask in the world you so lovingly shared! It was magic!

DAKIN MATTHEWS (Actor, Director, Playwright) -- I try to read—and when possible, see—everything the amazing Catherine Butterfield writes. Her plays are always witty, challenging, and surprising—with wonderful roles for actors.

JUDITH SCARPONE - (Actress) It was Fantastic!!!! GO!!!!!

BARRY HEINS - (Artistic Director, Interact Theatre)

Go see this play! Catherine, you are amazing! Superb evening of theatre, with loads of laughs, and so much heart!

CHRISTOPHER CURRY ROOT (Actor, Director) Brava! Terrific show - writing and

direction. Terrific cast!

CHRISTINE HEALY (Actress) Catherine, thanks again for a wonderful evening in the theatre! Your work as playwright/director was outstanding and it was perfectly cast to boot! I am so grateful I had the chance to experience it. Kudos!

ARABELLA FIELD (Actress) I absolutely loved it! Such a great show, and you have such an important voice. Especially now when free speech and being funny are so dangerous. Look at Salman Rushdie. Nobody writes about class, and it is everything. I love that you do.

RON ORBACH (Actor, Director) -- Had the great joy of seeing "To the Bone" last

night @Open Fist, written and directed by the estimable Catherine Butterfield, and featuring my dear and terrific Amanda Weier...GO SEE THIS! You will laugh and be very entertained as well as touched.

AMANDA CARLIN (Actress, Artist) -- OKAY, LA people ! Do y'selves a fayva -- GO SEE Catherine Butterfield's new play "TO THE BONE" at the Open Fist Theater in Atwater Village ! The cast is superb. The play is FUNNY / moving / full of surprises - uplifting and satisfying ! It's the World Premiere of a play that deserves to be mounted alllll over. Fred and I (with our "play" dates Lily and Steve) are still applauding.‼️--

CRITICS:

"Wow! One of the year's best new plays!" - Stage Scene LA

"Hilarious and heartwarming" - Larchmont Buzz

"Brash, vibrant performances" - LA Stage

"Engaging and entertaining" - Glamgical

"The laughs, especially, are worth a go" - On Stage Los Angeles

"Hilarious, and unequivocally acute.... truly a breath of fresh air" - Gia on the Move

30,000 will be enough for a handsome remount. We are over halfway there, but could really use a boost to get us the rest of the way!

There is a Champagne Preview for donors on March 3 at 8pm. Come raise a glass with us, munch on a few hors d'oeuvres and see the very first performance. But seating is very limited, so RSVP now to Misha at theatre planners dot com. (Putting it this way, or it will be redacted.)

Open Fist has offered to be the non-profit that receives the funds for a month-long run to serve as a backer's audition for the ultimate dream, which would be moving it to New York. Please help us raise funds for the transfer. Here is some response from the original production.

Open Fist, as a 501c, means that any donation you send our way is tax deductible. If you're looking for that end-of-year write-off, please think of us! #tothebone