Press Release

Happy Hours Productions

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Amanda Smith

P: 760.416.2068

Happy Hour Productions and Palm Canyon Theatre Present

“The Trial of the Catonsville 9”

PALM SPRINGS, CA OCTOBER 11, 2007 - Award-winning actress, director and resident of the Coachella Valley, JUDITH CHAPMAN, is getting ready to hit the boards again. On January 19, 2008, Chapman is bringing a cast of Emmy-winning STARS from DAYTIME TELEVISION to THE PALM CANYON THEATRE in Palm Springs, California for a one night benefit performance of "THE TRIAL OF THE CATONSVILLE 9.”

This compelling drama is based on an actual event in 1968 when a group of priests, nuns and lay persons entered a Federal Building in Catonsville, Maryland and burned selective service cards in protest of Americas' involvement in Vietnam. All were brought to trial. "The play is not so much about politics as about human decency" claims Chapman. She had seen a staged reading put on by TIM ROBBINS' group "THE ACTORS GANG,” and Chapman said, "I was so profoundly moved by the play, the message and the commitment of the actors involved, I decided then and there, to put together my own production using the best of the best of Daytime."

With the help and support of board members of "THE ACTORS GANG,” THE PALM CANYON THEATRE and Amanda Smith, her partner in HAPPY HOUR PRODUCTIONS, this exciting project will be a first for Palm Springs, and another first for Chapman, who will also direct. Known as Gloria on the CBS Soap Opera, The Young & the Restless, Judith will be sharing the stage with Emmy-winning actors CHRISTIAN LeBLANC (Michael Baldwin, “The Young and the Restless”), MICHELLE STAFFORD (Phyllis Newman, “The Young and the Restless”), GREG RIKAART (Kevin Fisher, “The Young and the Restless”), KRISTOFF ST. JOHN (Neil Winters, “The Young and the Restless”), RON HALE (Mike Corbin, “General Hospital”), VINCENT IRIZARRY (David Chow, “The Young and the Restless”) EMILY O'BRIEN (Jana Hawkes, “The Young and the Restless”), JOHN CALLAHAN (Edmund Grey, “All My Children”), DANIEL GODDARD (Cane Ashby, “The Young and the Restless”) and the list goes on.

Proceeds from the event will go to KIVA, an organization that makes small loans to individuals around the world that they might grow a business and become more self sustaining. THE PALM CANYON THEATRE, Coachella Valley's only Actors' Equity Theatre, had this to say, "Whenever Judith directs or performs here, an award always follows, we are very excited about our latest collaboration, and look forward to welcoming Hollywood to our theatre."

Tickets for the event are $60 and include a catered wine reception with the cast immediately following the performance. For ticket information call the Box Office at 760-323-5123. For Sponsor or Media information contact Amanda Smith 760-416-2068

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