Montblanc Presents The Special 12th Annual Production Of The 24 Hour Plays On Broadway

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Montblanc announced today that the 12^th annual performance of THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY will be held in New York City on Monday, November 12, 2012. An annual benefit event produced by the 24 Hour Company and Freestyle Picture Company for Urban Arts Partnership, THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY attracts some of entertainment's biggest names as they join forces to participate in an extreme rite of theater: writing, directing, and performing 6 original short plays, all in just 24 hours.

This year's company members, include schedule permitting: Actors: Amber Tamblyn (127 Hours, House M.D), America Ferrera (Emmy and Golden Globe Award Winner for Ugly Betty, End of Watch), Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker, Gangster Squad), Billy Crudup (Tony Award Winner for The Coast of Utopia, Almost Famous), Brooke Shields (The Addams Family on Broadway, Lipstick Jungle), Brooklyn Decker (What to Expect When You're Expecting, Battleship), Carla Gugino (Political Animals, Mr. Popper's Penguins), David Cross (Arrested Development), Diane Neal (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NCIS), Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage, The Mentalist), Fisher Stevens (Damages, Lost), Gabourey Sidibe (Academy Award Nominee for Precious, The Big C), Jack McBrayer (30 Rock, The Campaign), Kathy Najimy (King of the Hill, Numb3rs), Leslie Bibb (Iron Man Series, GCB), Michael Kenneth Williams (The Wire, Boardwalk Empire), Michelle Trachtenberg (Gossip Girl, Weeds), Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock), Rosie Perez (Won't Back Down, Close Up Space on Broadway), Sam Rockwell (Seven Psychopaths, Conviction), Seth Green (Family Guy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and Zosia Mamet (Girls, Mad Men). Writers: Adam Bock (The Receptionist, The Drunken City), Jonathan Marc Sherman (Things We Want, Knickerbocker), Rachel Axler (Emmy Award Winner for The Daily Show, New Girl), and Theresa Rebeck (Seminar, Creator of Smash). Directors: Derek Cianfrance (The Place Beyond the Pines, Blue Valentine), Ari Edelson (The New Group, Dorset Theater Festival), Andy Fickman (You Again, Parental Guidance), Josie Rourke (Artistic Director of Donmar Warehouse), Leigh Silverman (Chinglish, Well), and Thomas Kail (Tony Award Nominee for In the Heights, Magic/Bird). Talent subject to change.

The continued success of THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY has allowed Urban Arts programs to address the ever-growing need to engage students from the poorest schools in New York City and Los Angeles in their education, empowering them to gain fluency in English; excel on the standardized tests required to graduate; and acquire the tools and confidence to grow in artistry, academics, and leadership.

Rosie Perez, actress and Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board Chair, explains, "I haven't missed a single show, not only because there is no experience quite like it but more importantly because since its inception this event has helped grow Urban Arts Partnership into the organization it is today." Philip Courtney, Executive Director of Urban Arts Partnership adds, "The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway is no rubber chicken dinner. It's one of NYC's most innovative events where an entire community of artists, professionals and philanthropists come together to create a once in a lifetime experience in order to help New York City's most underserved youth. Montblanc's steadfast support over the past 7 years has enabled us to provide more opportunities for young people to excel artistically, academically and follow their dreams."

The creative process for THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY will begin at 10PM on Sunday, November 11th – the night before the show – when a group of six writers, six directors, 24 actors, two musical guests, and a production staff gather at the American Airlines Theatre. After each of the cast members share a costume, prop, their special skills and stage desires-- each writer is tasked with composing a ten-minute play by 7 AM the following morning, when the directors return to read and select their piece. The casts will meet for the first time at 9 AM and, over the next 12 hours the plays are rehearsed and produced for a live presentation. At 8:00 PM, ink barely dry, the six new plays – interspersed with six musical acts – will be performed for a live audience.

The 12th annual production of The 24-Hour Plays is a testament to the remarkable success and resounding impact of our partnership with Urban Arts," said Jan-Patrick Schmitz, President and CEO of Montblanc North America.  "Providing inspiration and supporting Arts Education for thousands of young people is a critical component of Montblanc's DNA and brand heritage.  We are dedicated to this program and proud of the contributions we have made during the last several years to enhance the classroom experience for students in our communities."
 

Continuing its commitment to fostering emerging talent, Montblanc held its 3^rd annual Young Writer's Program on October 15^th, where Urban Arts' playwriting alumni had the opportunity to compete for a chance to write on Broadway. In a 24 hour period, seven students penned short plays that were performed by actors from the HBO family before an audience of industry professionals and a panel of judges. The winning playwright, Maynor Alas, will create one of the six short pieces for THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY.  The MONTBLANC YOUNG WRITER'S PROGRAM is at the heart of Montblanc's philosophy of helping others. The official hashtag for the event is #24HrPlayNY.

LISTINGS INFORMATION:  Montblanc presents THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY on Monday, November 12th, 2012 at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd Street). All participating artists are subject to change. Via Subway, take the 1/2/3/A/C/E/N/Q/R/S/W to 42nd Street/Times Square or F/D/V/B trains to 42nd Street.  Tickets are available at www.SmartTix.com, (212) 868-4444 and to Citi® card members by contacting [email protected].

About MONTBLANC - For over 100 years, Montblanc 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 LES. 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. Sixteen 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 FREESTYLE PICTURE COMPANY- The founders of Freestyle, Kevin Chinoy and Francesca Silvestri, 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 12^th year of the event in NYC, and has also brought the event to LA. Freestyle is a TV and film production company based in LA.

About URBAN ARTS PARTNERSHIP - Urban Arts Partnership advances the intellectual, social and artistic development of underserved public school students through arts-integrated education programs to close the achievement gap. Through a dynamic range of programs including playwriting, theater, media, music, dance, spoken word, photography and the visual arts, Urban Arts Partnership empowers youth to develop the creative and analytic impulses that will serve them as students, professionals and responsible citizens.  The 24 Hour Plays in the Schools runs throughout the academic year. www.urbanarts.org

SOURCE Montblanc