AWARD WINNER - THE DEVIL AND BILLY MARKHAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY, 2013
Contact: Aaron Lyons 310-902-3142
Email: [email protected]

ZENITH ENSEMBLE PRESENTS SHEL SILVERSTEIN’S
THE DEVIL AND BILLY MARKHAM
Hollywood Fringe Festival’s – BEST OF FRINGE SERIES – July/Aug 2013.

WINNER – Spirit of the Fringe Award
WINNER – Best Cabaret and Variety Show Award
WINNER – Bitter Lemons’ Outrageous Award for Theatre
WINNER – Combined Artform’s Best of Fringe Award
NOMINEE – Top of Fringe
NOMINEE – Orgasmico Theatre Company’s Award – Lead Male Performer – Aaron Lyons
NOMINEE – Spirit of the Fringe – Lead Male Performer – Aaron Lyons

WHAT: THE DEVIL AND BILLY MARKHAM
WHO: ZENITH ENSEMBLE
WHERE: 3 Clubs Bar, 1123 Vine St Hollywood, CA 90038.
WHEN: Sundays @ 7:15
ADMISSION: $10
RESERVATIONS: 310-902-3142
ONLINE TICKETS: www.hff13.org/1227
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/events/119427528227575/
TWITTER: @Devil_BillyM, @zenithensemble

“Aaron is a powerhouse of movement and voice and fully inhabits this thing from start to finish, the dancing by Ruth Fox was sexy and fit the narrative nicely and the band was just incredible, sassy and spontaneous, a perfect blend of mood and energy.” – See more at: http://losangeles.bitter-lemons.com/2013/06/28/the-details-are-in-the-devil/#sthash.yU4s4QJd.dpuf

“Lyons took command and performed this play as only he can. Every stanza was brought alive, as Silverstein’s words and descriptions filled my mind with the visualization of every frame of this classic poem.” – Bob Leggitt, Examiner.com

“Aaron transitions from character to character as he describes them, giving them voice. Each character was painted perfectly. It’s as if each character had their own costume, only it was just one man changing his voice and gestures. Making it all the more impressive that you see so many colorful characters on stage. Everything about this show pulls you in. From the venue, to the music, the lighting, and even Billy’s Wife (Ruth Fox) seductively and silently dancing throughout the lounge. The world fades away and only the story in front of you exists.” – Spencer Cotter, The Detective
 

Originally appearing in 6 installments of Playboy in the late 70s, this is Shel Silverstein’s epic dirty poem about a young blues musician who gambles with the devil and loses, twice. Mr. Silverstein then collaborated with David Mamet to adapt his story into a one man play.

It’s “O’ Brother Where Art Thou meets a speakeasy beatnik open mic”.

One Man. A Live Band. A Red Velvet Dive.

Directed by Amanda McRaven
Aaron Lyons as The Narrator
Ruth Fox as Billy’s Wife
Carlos Flores on Guitar
Kevin Katich on Percussion
Hank Doughan on Keys

ZENITH ENSEMBLE
After winning the “Best World Premiere” and “Best of the Fest” awards from the 2012 Hollywood Fringe Festival with their production of RISE, Zenith Ensemble returns to the Fringe with The Devil and Billy Markham, by Shel Silverstein. The venue is the 3 Clubs bar in Hollywood and audiences abuzz with seeing veteran actor, Aaron Lyons, tell Billy’s story along with a handful of professional musicians from in and around Los Angeles.
Zenith Ensemble is an LA based theater company dedicated to creating a voraciously thought-provoking experience for both audience and artist alike. It is our mission to produce universally resonant works – ranging from classical to contemporary, as well as fostering the development of new theatrical voices.