One-woman show tackles adversity with humor

Waukesha, Wis. – October 24, 2017 – The Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books presents the award-winning one-woman show, The Pink Hulk, written and performed by Valerie David and directed by Padraic Lillis, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 4.

The Pink Hulk: One Woman’s Journey to Find the Superhero Within is Valerie David's hilarious and moving journey about becoming a two-time cancer survivor, kicking cancer to the curb TWICE while she embarks on a hijinks, nonstop quest for love and new meaning in her life!

Valerie is stopped in her tracks when she feels a lump. Having beaten lymphoma earlier in life, she is now diagnosed with breast cancer. And what does Valerie do when she learns of this second cancer diagnosis? Well, afraid of losing “the girls,” she takes them out for one last hurrah! And does Valerie succeed? Come see the show to find out! This sexy, adventurous solo show follows the triumphant journey of one woman seeking her own “hulk-like” strength to find her superhero within! A true and inspiring story.

Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door, or can be purchased on line at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3058750

Performance will be held at UW-Waukesha, 1500 N. University Drive, Waukesha, WI in the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

“My show is not just about fighting cancer; it has a universal message of fighting back from any adversity in life with its inspirational message of hope and empowerment. And I want people to know hope and humor exist in even the worst of circumstances. I want to help and inspire others through my performances,” Ms. David says.

Local cancer support groups have the opportunity to purchase tickets for $10, and the Southeast Wisconsin Festival of books will donate half of the support groups ticket sales back to the organization.

Ms. David is also scheduled to appear at the Festival in the following events at UW-Waukesha:

Thursday, November 2

“Healing through Humor; How Theater Literally Saved My Life”

Presented by Lectures & Fine Arts and the Southeast WI Festival of Books

12:00 pm • C101 • Free

Saturday, November 4

From Page to Stage (Theatre Panel)

Mike Lenehan, Valerie David, Gail Sterkel, Rich Perez, Steve Decker

Explore the process of how playwrights create, actors breathe life into text and directors bring the vision to fruition on the stage. All elements in theater converge as authors and theater professionals share their passion for the stage.

1:00 pm • N130 • Free

Saturday, November 4

The Pink Hulk: One Woman’s Journey to Find the Superhero Within
Written and Performed by Valerie David; Directed by Padraic Lillis

60-minute solo show, mature content

7:30 pm • Lunt-Fontanne Theatre • $10

8:30 pm • Talk Back with Valerie David

About Valerie David

Valerie David is an actor, playwright, writer and editor. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and James Madison University, her credits include the Off-Broadway production of A Stoop on Orchard Street, Cookie in Rumors and Claudia Shear’s Blown Sideways Through Life. Films: How I Became that Jewish Guy, which premiered at a November 2015 NYC Film Festival, and Bridges and Tunnels.

Memberships include the League of Professional Theatre Women, AEA and SAG-AFTRA. She also performs improv throughout New York City with improv groups Faceplant, Cronuts and Cherub. She wrote and starred in the one-woman musical Bring On a Man!; and both cowrote and starred in the two-person show Wanted: A Few Good Men and Two-mur Humor: He’s Malignant; She’s Benign.

Her greatest accomplishment in life is being a two-time cancer survivor. Valerie was diagnosed and treated for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1999, and then for breast cancer in 2014 and 2015. She is thrilled that she is cancer-free and thriving. She volunteers as a motivational speaker at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training events. As a marathon cyclist, she cofounded Cycle of Hope, which raises money for national and international cancer organizations through bike marathons.

Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books

Now in its eighth year, the Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books is an annual community celebration of literacy and the arts, where local and national authors and readers of all ages come together to enjoy presentations, performances, creativity and conversation.

The Festival of Books will be held November 3-4 on the University of Waukesha campus at 1500 N. University Drive, in Waukesha. The UW-Waukesha Foundation organizes this community-wide event in cooperation with partners in the community.

Partners committed to date include: All Writers’ Workplace & Workshop, Books & Company, BMO Harris Bank, Century Fence Company, Comer Science & Education Foundation, Country Springs Hotel, Friends of Waukesha Public Library, Greater Waukesha Literacy, Holiday Inn-Delafield, Literacy For All, Olive Garden-Brookfield, Sweet Perfections Bake Shoppe, Taco Amigo, TGI Fridays-Brookfield, UW-Waukesha Lecture & Fine Arts Committee, UW-Waukesha Theatre Department, Waukesha Community Foundation/Mihi Cura Futuri Fund, Waukesha Reads!, We Energies, Westphal Mansion Inn Bed & Breakfast-Hartford, Wisconsin Campus Compact, Wisconsin Public Radio, Waukesha State Bank, and z2.

Visit sewibookfest.com or email sewibookfest@uwc.edu  with questions, inquiries or information about volunteering.