THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO

CITY HALL NEW YORK, NY 10007 (212) 788-7116 FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joseph Taranto: 917-535-5531, jtaranto@council.nyc.gov

***MEDIA ADVISORY***
COUNCIL MEMBER MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO MAKES HER ACTING DEBUT
New York, NY On Wednesday, December 21, 2011, Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito will be participating in a community sponsored production entitled The Christmas Story. The play will loosely resemble Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, telling the chilling tale of a Mortimer Scrumbald, a wealthy real-estate mogul, who is about to make dozens of needy children homeless by selling The Mt. Hope Orphanage. However, lessons from his past, present and future will change the course of his life forever. The play is set to be performed in front of 5,000 children at the Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College for the Performing Arts. There will be two shows one at 10:15 AM and the other at 12:00 noon. After the show, each audience member will be gifted one toy. This performance is a joint effort of community members and playwrights Yolanda Brooks and John Ruiz, as well as www.the5dollarplay.com and Our Firefighters' Childrens Foundation. Its absolutely crucial that we bring our communities together over the holidays, especially this one which will be hard on so many families, said Council Member Mark-Viverito. I am grateful to all that have made this fabulous event possible and I am honored to have been invited to take part. I admit, Im a little nervous about performing kids are candid critics but this is for a good cause and so Im excited for the opportunity. This is holiday cheer at its best! WHAT: Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito makes her acting debut in holiday community theater production and gives out toys to the children in the audience. WHEN: Wednesday, December 21st 10:15 AM and 12:00 noon (two shows) Walt Whitman Theatre, Brooklyn College 2900 Campus Road, Brooklyn, NY 11210 ##

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