Montblanc Presents THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Montblanc and Urban Arts Partnership announced today the highly anticipated return of THE 24 HOUR PLAYS BENEFIT, now in its second year in Los Angeles, on Saturday June 16, 2012.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120516/NY08447 )

The biggest names in Hollywood will join forces to participate in this one-night-only live performance, produced by Kevin Chinoy and Francesca Silvestri of the Freestyle Picture Company and the 24 Hour Company. The entire creative process, from writing to directing and finally performance, will take place in under 24 hours!

Former participants of the "Plays" include Jennifer Aniston, Ashton Kutcher, Megan Fox, Demi Moore, Chris Rock, Brooke Shields, Sarah Silverman and Elijah Wood. Montblanc and Urban Arts Partnership are pleased to announce this year's event will feature: Sasha Alexander (Rizzoli & Isles, NCIS), Jason Biggs (American Pie series, Mad Love), Josh Dallas (Once Upon a Time, Thor), Brooklyn Decker (Just Go With It), Ginnifer Goodwin (Once Upon a Time, Something Borrowed), Ashley Greene (Twilight), Zachary Levi (Chuck, Tangled), Alexander Ludwig (The Hunger Games, Race to Witch Mountain), Lamorne Morris (New Girl, The Guild), Diane Neal (Law and Order: SVU), Rosie Perez (Gods Behaving Badly, Pineapple Express), Jason Ritter (Parenthood, The Event), Krysten Ritter (Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, Breaking Bad), Ramon Rodriguez (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Battle Los Angeles) Tracie Thoms (Cold Case, Rent), and Wilmer Valderrama (Awake, That '70s Show).

"I'm looking forward to making my stage debut with 24 Hours, doing it for a charitable cause is icing on the cake," said Ashley Greene.

The creative process of THE 24 HOUR PLAYS in Los Angeles will begin at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, June 15th. Six writers, six directors, twenty-four actors, a musical guest and production team will meet at The Broad Stage, Santa Monica (1310 11th Street, Santa Monica CA). Each cast member will brainstorm ideas before the writers begin composing the plays, which must be completed by 6:00 a.m. the next morning. With only twelve hours to rehearse, the actors will perform the six new plays, interspersed with musical acts, for one night only before a live audience, on Saturday June 16, 2012.

This is the sixth year that Montblanc, the international luxury brand, will support THE 24 HOUR PLAYS BENEFITS FOR URBAN ARTS PARTNERSHIP, demonstrating their continued support of Arts and Culture, especially among young people. Over the years, Montblanc has helped to raise over 2 million dollars for Urban Arts Partnership. Joining forces with the program's supporting company, Urban Arts Partnership, this celebration of theater will offer Los Angeles' audience a rare experience; witnessing the thrill of live theater and the talents of Hollywood's brightest stars.

The proceeds from the event will benefit Urban Arts Partnership, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the intellectual, social and artistic development of underserved public school students through arts-integrated education programs to close the achievement gap, and the implementation of transformative programs in "high need" LAUSD partner schools, ArTES High School, Teresa Hughes Elementary, East LA Performing Arts Academy High School, Bancroft Middle School and Southeast Middle School.

Tickets are already on sale at www.urbanarts.tix.com and exclusive access packages are available through www.citiprivatepass.com.

For over 100 years,

has embraced the traditions of lasting value and exquisite craftsmanship. The company's uncompromising principles of design, style, quality and workmanship have allowed them to create heirloom collections that are passed from generation to generation. The iconic Montblanc Star is a symbol of excellence – the pinnacle of luxury writing instruments, timepieces, jewelry and leather – and the brand has made an enduring commitment to encourage excellence through cultural advancement. Montblanc is pleased to partner with the 24 Hour Company and Urban Arts Partnership to bring arts and culture to the city's youth. www.montblanc.com

About THE 24 HOUR COMPANY - In October 1995, the first production of The 24 Hour Plays took place on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Inspired by Scott McCloud's 24 hour comics (comic books composed in a single day), the project was intended as a one-time-only event. Fifteen years and hundreds of plays later, The 24 Hour Plays have been produced in New York, London, Los Angeles, and Chicago. This success has led to collaboration with organizations like The Old Vic and Urban Arts Partnership, to produce celebrity shows that benefit a variety of worthy causes. Participants have included diverse talents from all levels— from Tony, Oscar and Pulitzer Prize winners to emerging talent and high school students. In addition, The 24 Hour Company has developed licensing program for amateur and student groups based on the successful formula. http://www.24hourplays.com

About URBAN ARTS PARTNERSHIP -
For the past 20 years, Urban Arts Partnership has been advancing the intellectual, social and artistic development of underserved public school students through arts-integrated education programs to close the achievement gap. In-school, after-school, weekend and summer programs in theater, playwriting, film production, music, poetry and visual arts reach 12,000 students annually. UAP implements The 24 Hour Plays High School Theatre Program throughout the year with master classes led by past participants.  www.urbanarts.org

Freestyle Picture Company:  Kevin Chinoy and Francesca Silvestri, the founders of Freestyle, teamed up with the 24 Hour Company in 2001 to use the 24 Hour Plays concept in the creation of a truly unique sponsored benefit event. This partnership continues with this 11th year of the event in NYC, and has also brought the event to the Old Vic Theater in London for five years and an event in Los Angeles in 2002 as well. Freestyle is a TV and film production company based in Los Angeles. http://www.freestyle-la.com/

SOURCE Montblanc