CREATIVE LICENSE TO PRESENT COMEDY “PARALLEL LIVES” AT THE UNIVERSITY CLUB

Saturday, December 29th

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for an hors d'oeuvre and cocktail reception.  The play will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Creative License, the Capital Region’s upstart theater collective, is pleased to present the female-centric comedy “Parallel Lives – The Kathy and Mo Show,” for one night only, Saturday, December 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the University Club. Written and originally performed by Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney, its fast-paced, sketch comedy feel and biting wit made this a hit Broadway show, and it was later filmed as a popular HBOComedy special.              

This production reunites local comedic actresses Carissa LoPresti-Weiss and Emer Geraghty with director Aaron Holbritter, who worked on the show together in 2007 at the Dee Sarno Theater in Saratoga, and revived it at the Albany Barn in 2016.

“More than any show I’ve done, people always ask about this one,” says Holbritter, a co-founder of the collective. Not surprising, he says. “Carissa and Emer are two of the funniest people I’ve ever seen on stage together. Audiences love them. We’re thrilled to bring this team back to the stage.” 

The original show, performed in 1986, was seen as a rarity – a comedy show written by and starring women. Variety called it “…a romp with a feminist sensibility; it’s a humor for a post Lily Tomlin generation…Above all, PARALLEL LIVES is a smart, provocative show.” In 1991, the show was filmed for HBO and found a broader audience. Kathy Najimy (Hocus Pocus, Sister Act, Veep) and Mo Gaffney (Absolutely Fabulous, That 70’s Show) have had long careers, and have often gone back, adding to and updating the text, but even the core pieces, written thirty years ago, still resonate.

Parallel Lives also marks the return of the company to the University Club, which hosted them around New Years in 2015 and 2016. “We love working at the University Club,” says Holbritter. “They are so enthusiastically welcoming of the stuff we’ve brought there, and the audience they draw has been great for getting our small company in front of new eyes.”  In addition to the show, the University Club will be providing delicious hors d'oeuvres and treats for guests to enjoy. “Delicious food, a hilarious show - it’s a great way to ring in the New Year!” Info on this show can be found at www.creativelicenseonline.com

Tickets are $40 and advance reservations are required.  This event is co-sponsored by The University Club of Albany Foundation and one need not be a University Club member to attend.