FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jen Nessel (917) 442-0112 mailto:mgreene@jump.net
WEBSITE: http://www.lysistrataproject.com

Activists Worldwide Use Ancient Play to Address Current Crisis

Public Readings of Lysistrata in 36 Countries and 49 U.S. States Condemn Preemptive War on Iraq

NEW YORK, NY -- On March 3, 2003, the Lysistrata Project will present worldwide readings of Aristophanes’ ancient Greek anti-war comedy Lysistrata. To date, 538 play readings are scheduled in 36 countries, and in 49 of the 50 U.S. states, to voice opposition to the war on Iraq; those numbers increase hourly. Readings will raise money for charities working for peace and humanitarian aid in the Middle East.

Lysistrata tells the story of women from opposing states who unite to end a war by refusing to sleep with their husbands until the men agree to lay down their swords. Powerless in their society and distraught over too many of their children being slaughtered in battle, the women take the only tactic available to them: they withhold sex.

Fast-forward 2,400 years: swords are now weapons of mass destruction. Faced with the prospect of massive loss of human life -- both Iraqi and American -- Lysistrata Project participants world-wide take a new tactic and add their voices to the mounting clamor of global anti-war protests.

In New York City, where the project originated, dozens of teams of actors and directors will read Lysistrata in public spaces throughout the day. The Lysistrata Project will then present an all-star reading of the play that evening. Mercedes Ruehl will read the title role, and will be joined by F. Murray Abraham, Kevin Bacon, Peter Boyle, Kathleen Chalfont, Delphi Harrington, Kyra Sedgwick, Lori Singer, and David Strathairn (schedules permitting). Ellen McLaughlin directs. The reading will begin at 7 p.m.; the location will be announced this week.

On the west coast, Julie Christie, Alfre Woodard, Christine Lahti, Mary McDonnell, Barbara Williams, Eric Stoltz, Ed Begley Jr. and Jose Zuniga will appear in a reading at The Los Angeles Filmmaker Cooperative's Powerhouse Cultural Space. Michael Heaney directs. “At least for the record of history we have to let it be known that millions and millions opposed this war,” said actress Julie Christie.

In addition to readings in international cities such as London, Berlin, Paris, Beirut, and Jerusalem, groups from nearly every state in the U.S.A. are hosting events as part of this worldwide theatrical act of dissent. Participants in this grassroots project come from all walks of life. For example:
-- College students in Texas will hold Lysistrata-reading marathons on a conservative campus;
-- Midwestern homemakers will conduct readings with their book clubs;
-- Teachers will use the study guide from the Lysistrata Project’s web site in their classes;
-- A man in Beirut will put on his own adaptation of the play that incorporates Arabic and English anti-war poetry; and
-- A woman in California will stage her reading with the patients and staff in the hospital where her partner is undergoing cancer treatment.

The Lysistrata Project was conceived in early January of this year by New York actors Kathryn Blume and Sharron Bower. "Before we started Lysistrata Project, we could do nothing but sit and watch in horror as the Bush Administration drove us toward a unilateral attack on Iraq," says co-founder Blume. "So we emailed all our friends and put up a web site. The response has been enormous." Co-founder Bower adds, "Many people have emailed us to say how distraught they feel about the war. Now they feel empowered to do something, and foster dialogue in their own communities."

Blume and Bower describe themselves as patriotic Americans. "With the freedom and wealth of our country comes great responsibility -- and this war is not a responsible act," says Bower. "If America rushes into a unilateral attack on Iraq, the White House not only drives our country deeper into deficit spending, but also alienates our allies, and fans the flames of anti-American sentiment all over the world."

Blume concludes, "Our purpose is to make it very clear that President Bush does not speak for all Americans. Our message is simple: If you oppose this war, then speak up!"

To contact event spearheads and participants in your local area for coverage, click here to go to the cities page on the Lysistrata Project web site. and look up your city or region.

For info on The Los Angeles Filmmaker Cooperative reading:
Shannon Goodwin (323) 655-0593 sgoodwin@bk-pr.com