"A Friend of Dorothy's" Wins Great Gay Screenplay Contest

A Friend Of Dorothy's by Jim Piazza is the winner of

Pride Films and Plays' 2012 Great Gay Screenplay Contest

Pride Films and Plays

www.pridefilmsandplays.com

773 250 3112

Pridefilmsandplays@gmail.com

For Immediate Release: October 25, 2012

Contact: David Zak dgzak1@gmail.com

A Friend Of Dorothy's by Jim Piazza is the winner of

Pride Films and Plays' 2012 Great Gay Screenplay Contest

Chicago, IL - Pride Films and Plays' Gay Film Weekend, held October 18 to 21 at Center on Halsted, was a kinetic mix of enhanced staged readings of great new screenplays, intriguing panel discussions on the history and future of LGBT film, and a 90-minute program of new short queer films.

As the weekend concluded, PFP Board President Keith Stoneking announced that the winner of the 2012 Great Gay Screenplay Contest was A Friend of Dorothy's by Jim Piazza. This delightful comedy is set in Boston in the winter of 1967, when addled showbiz legend Judy Garland goes missing. Wild twists and turns have led her to a secret refuge -- the suburban bedroom of a troubled teenage fan. His family is none the wiser until Judy inevitably misbehaves and chaos ensues.

"A staged reading can often be a writer's 9th circle of hell," Jim Piazza wrote after the weekend concluded. "The leading man leaves his comic timing on the bus; your best line is interrupted by a spilled soy mocha venti in the first row of squeaky folding-chairs; and the guy who works the lights seems to think he's designing the next Scissor Sisters tour. So it was with the greatest pleasure on the night of October 18th that I got to sit back in my quiet chair in the Center's gem of a theater and witness a miracle; a perfectly staged reading of my screenplay A FRIEND OF
DOROTHY'S. Director Chuck Berglund knew just what he was doing and the cast, well, if I could have stuffed them all into my suitcase and brought them back to New York, I would've -- despite their cries for help. Special thanks to David Zak who conjures up these miracles every year. Watch out, Chicago, I'll be back!"

The other finalists in the contest included Visalia by Dennis Nivens, Barrio Boy by Dennis Shinners, Snowmen by Ethan Steers, and Father Frances by Thomas Ziegler. PFP congratulates the finalists and all who entered the contest.

Pride Films and Plays now turns its attention to world premiere production of At The Flash by Sean Chandler and David Leeper, which will open on November 17 in the Center on Halsted's Hoover-Leppen Theatre. This fierce comedy was the winner of PFP's 2012 Great Gay Play and Musical Contest, and is performed by David Leeper, directed by David Zak. Tickets are available through Brownpapertickets.com,
or by calling 1 800 838 3006.

About Pride Films and Plays

Pride Films and Plays, based in Chicago, links an international network of writers with professionals working in film and theater. PFP fosters excellent writing for the stage and screen that speaks not only to the GLBT community, but is also essential viewing for all audiences.

Using stories with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender characters or themes, Pride Films and Plays develops human stories that become a cultural bridge to understanding.

Through readings, contests, classes, screenings, and full theater productions, PFP engages artists and audiences in the full developmental process needed to make great artistic experiences.

For more details on any of PFP's writing contests or productions, visit
www.pridefilmsandplays.com.

Pride Films and Plays

3023 N Clark 327

Chicago, IL 60657

www.pridefilmsandplays.com

773 250 3117

pridefilmsandplays@gmail.com

David Zak

Executive Director

John Nasca

Artistic Associate

Allison Fradkin

Literary Coordinator, Women's Work