THE PICNIC THEATRE COMPANY TO LAUNCH WITH BENEFIT PRODUCTION OF MOLIERE’S “THE HYPOCHONDRIAC” AT DUMBARTON HOUSE GARDENS

With the long days of summer ahead of us, Genki Media LLC has teamed up with the The Picnic Theatre Company and acclaimed documentary film director Karim Chrobog for a Moliere in The Garden benefit production of Moliere’s classic comedy “The Imaginary Invalid” (‘The Hypochondriac”). The play will be performed in a glorious summer garden party setting at one of Washington D.C.’s most beautiful historic homes, The Dumbarton House in Georgetown. All proceeds from the performance will benefit Clowns Without Borders and Dumbarton House.org.

The play, a fast paced 45-minute version of Moliere’s timeless extravagant comedy, “The Imaginary Invalid,” was adapted by Picnic Theatre Company founders Oli Robinson and Bruce MacPhail. “Certainly, the challenge in adapting a playwright such as Moliere is capturing the essence of his original vision. Moliere had a gift for flowery, flowing, and expressive language as well as comedic timing. We wanted to stay as true to that in English as possible,” said MacPhail, who along with Robinson act in the performance. MacPhail plays “Beralde” and Robinson portrays the play main character, Argan the Hypochondriac. “I’ve been pretending to be sick since production began,” joked Robinson dryly with his British wit. The Picnic Theatre Company is dedicated to site specific party theatre.
The production includes involvement from a number of well-know local celebrities including director Karim C. Chrobog, whose documentary film “War Child” won the prestigious Cadillac audience choice award at Tribeca Film Festival in 2008. “It’s quite a different experience than being behind the camera,” said Chrobog, “but it’s for a great cause and I’m enjoy the challenge of live theatre and getting the cast in shape by June 9th opening night.” The cast includes Napoleon Lounge & Bistro manager and man about town Omar Popal (Mr. Purgon), “Suspicious Package” lead singer and Capitol Hill mover and shaker Christina Sevilla (Toinette), Washington Life magazine executive editor and roving WLTV host, Michael Clements (Thomas Purgon), Jessica Tribbe (Angelique), Nishi Rawat (Beline) and Emad Dawood (Cleante). The Music Director is Antonia Menezes.
Capacity is 200 persons each night. Limited press seats available. Please contact press@genkimedia.com for details, tickets and interview requests.

MOLIERE IN THE GARDEN “THE HYPOCHONDRIAC” INFORMATION
When: Wednesday, June 9, 2010 and Thursday, June 10, 2010
Time: Garden opens at 5:30PM, so guests can stroll the grounds, tour the house, settle down on their blankets and enjoy a picnic and a bottle of wine before showtime at 7:15 sharp. Run time 45 minutes. Come rain or shine (performance will be indoors in case of inclement weather)
Where: Dumbarton House, 2715 Q street NW (just after Dumbarton bridge in Georgetown -15 minute walk from Dupont Circle metro)
What to bring: Wine, cheese and something to sit on…
Dress Code: Classy Picnic (fancy hats positively encouraged!)

Ticketing:
Purchase tickets at http://moliereinthegarden.eventbrite.com/
General Admission $10.00
Silver Sponsor Ticket $25.00 (includes free wine)
Gold Sponsor Ticket $50.00 (free wine + cheese + reserved seating)
Wine and Crepes available for purchase on site

Produced by The Picnic Theatre Company (picnictheatre@gmail.com)
Sponsors: Cafe Bonaparte, Napoleon Bistro & Lounge, Genki Media LLC, and www.LivingSocial.com

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Genki Media LLC is a creative consultancy practice founded by Michael M. Clements. It is dedicated to the incubation, management and monetization of innovative digital, online, social media, television, film, video, and arts-related business ventures. Upcoming Genki Media joints include sponsorship of “Moliere in the Garden” (June 9th and 10th), the launch of ArtJamz at Corcoran Gallery 31 – Unleash Your Inner Artist (June 23 to June 26), and Panel hosting of “The Future of Media Session” at DCWEEK – Media 2.0 Day (June 15).

The Picnic Theatre Company was formed by Oli Robinson and Bruce MacPhail to develop site-specific party theatre. Email picnictheatre@gmail.com for more information.

Clowns Without Borders was founded in Spain in 1993 by Tortell Poltrona, a professional clown who had been invited to perform at a refugee camp in Croatia. While clowning before an audience of more than 700 children, Poltrona had his “Aha!” moment: he realized that laughter could be just as powerful and necessary a force as medical and food aid. Today, Clowns Without Borders has branches in nine countries, including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the US, and its members have performed in refugee camps in Europe, South and Central America, and Africa. For more information on CWB contact Bruce MacPhail (CWB Project Manager, Colombia and Haiti) bruce@clownswithoutborders.org

Dumbarton House is a fine example of Federal period architecture and offers visitors to Washington, D.C., a unique opportunity to enhance their appreciation of early American history. Closely connected to the first years of the American Republic, the house has stood on the heights of Georgetown for over two centuries.

Interview Requests, Press Tickets, and Press Materials:
Michael M. Clements
Founder / CEO Genki Media LLC
michael@genkimedia.com
mobile: 310-801-6518

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