WHY WATER FALLS

Why Water Falls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


WHY WATER FALLS World Premiere at Hollywood Fringe Festival 2015
The Complex stage is set for Leigh Curran’s surprising solo show about an artist’s ambivalence about motherhood and the unexpected consequences she’s trying to forget. Why Water Falls​is a thought­provoking evening of true fiction that looks at making peace with controversial life choices in a whole new way.
Curran has been blazing a creative trail for many years, and she’s bursting to share her experience with younger generations. There’s nothing senior about this citizen – she’s all rock­and­roll: a recent photo she shared on Twitter (@curranleigh) shows her hanging from a gymnastics bar in an inverted split, “getting her 71­year­old body in shape for Hollywood Fringe.”
Director Mary Pat Gleason, herself an established actress on stage and screen, admires Curran’s fire: “It’s lovely to work with somebody who has childlike wonder to a degree that I’ve never seen before.”
That seemingly bottomless fountain of youth is intrinsic to the performance, an imagined conversation about motherhood and destiny between Curran and a young pair of fictional characters. All the roles are played by Curran, whose own experience as a childless woman has involved personal choices that were often heart wrenching and controversial.
Unexpectedly, Curran’s ambivalence about motherhood, brought her to LA to found the Virginia Avenue Project, a non­profit using the Arts to give struggling children life skills. For 22 years she was its highly respected Artistic Director. In 1993 she met Gleason, a frequent Project collaborator and close friend. Both women may be childless, but that doesn’t stop them from mothering. “There are many ways to be a parent,” Gleason said, “and to be an extraordinary parent, without giving birth. That is what this show is really about.”
Curran’s story of abortion, creation and spirituality is unique, and she feels called to pass it on – surprise twist and all. “There is a perspective that you get from being older, and I feel very passionate about sharing it with younger generations. I created this show so that others can gain from my experiences and use them as tools for their own lives. I want to give young women and men the courage to let go and let life.”

WHAT
Why Water Falls
Written and Performed by Leigh Curran Directed by Mary Pat Gleason

WHERE
The East Theater at The Complex ­ 6468 Santa Monica Blvd.

WHEN
Saturday June 6 ­ 4:30 pm (free preview)
Thursday, June 11 – 7:30pm
Sunday June 14 ­ 2:00 pm
Saturday June 20 ­ 4:30 pm
Tuesday June 23 ­ 7:30 pm
Saturday June 27 ­ 12:00 noon

TICKETS
$12, available at​h​ff15.org/2088

ABOUT LEIGH CURRAN
Leigh Curran is a published playwright whose productions have been performed
O f f ­ B r o a d w a y , i n c l u d i n g : T​h e L u n c h G i r l s ​( f i n a l i s t f o r t h e S u s a n S m i t h B l a c k b u r n A w a r d ; Grove Street Theatre, directed by Stuart Ross); A​lterations​(Whole Theatre Company, directed by Olympia Dukakis, WPA Theatre, directed by Austin Pendleton) and W​alking the Blonde​(world premiere Off Broadway at Circle Rep, directed by Paul Benedict.) As Founder/Artistic Director of the Virginia Avenue Project, she worked with children and established artists to create meaningful theatrical performances. An actress who has appeared on and off Broadway, Curran was featured locally in the LA Women’s Shakespeare Company’s acclaimed productions of R​omeo and Juliet,​O​thello​and M​easure for Measure.​ TV/Film credits include: W​est Wing,​J​udging Amy,​O​nce and Again,​L​A Law a​nd R​eds.

CONTACT
Heidi Powers
323.533.4906
 [email protected] ###