Pauline Adamek
Theatre Unleashed (TU) seeks to collect books for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and its ‘Literally Healing’ program during the company’s run of The Spidey Project: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility, from March 8-April 14.
A Broadway parody, The Spidey Project follows nerdy social outcast Peter Parker as he takes on an alter ego to battle a dastardly collection of terrifying villains and perhaps his biggest nemesis of all…himself in this clever original musical.
While the show has something for all ages, the nature of the superhero show had company executives looking for a charity that worked with children.
“Literally Healing is an incredible cause that deserves attention and support,” said Gregory Crafts, Managing Director of TU. “They help children cope with some life-changing challenges. And like most other charities, they are always looking for help to continue doing the positive work they do…that’s where we want to help.”
‘Literally Healing’ is an innovative reading program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The program draws from a Patient Therapeutic Library of over 1,000 titles. These therapeutic books for children ‘speak directly; to the program’s patients, helping them better understand and master the sensitive issues they face daily, including: coping with their medical condition and the trauma of hospitalization, being singled out, ridiculed or excluded because of their medical condition and their fear of deformity, disability or death. ‘Literally Healing’ tackles these sensitive issues in a very non-threatening manner to ease the medical and emotional anguish that patients can experience.
The program includes the loan and gifting of books from this collection to patients, families and staff. This is where TU comes in. For the run of The Spidey Project, if patrons bring in a brand new book to donate to the program, they can name their own ticket price for the show. The company is also promoting the program and linking to the program’s website and “wish list” for books (check out their official site for the complete “wish list”).
Further, members from the cast, including Spidey himself, will make a special appearance, personally delivering the books to patients at the end of the show’s run.
“We’ve established a reputation for giving back to the community,” Crafts said. “We think it’s important, especially when you find an organization like this. We’re glad to do our part.”
The Spidey Project: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
Produced by Theatre Unleashed
Studio / Stage
520 N. Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
DATES AND TIMES:
March 8-April 14, 2012
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays,
8 p.m.
Special Sunday performances March 11, 18, 25 and April 1 — 7:30 p.m.
TICKET PRICES:
$20 for general admission at the door
$16 if ordered online
*** PAY WHAT YOU WANT when patron brings a new book to donate ***
Tickets also available at Goldstar and L.A. Stage Alliance
INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS:
For further information, please call: (818) 849-4039
Or check out their website here.
