This (wedding) play is exactly what (Melissa) the world needs now and here's why: Laughter heals, music connects, everyone loves a wedding, and...Jake Gyllenhaal. In all seriousness, this play inspires hope in those of us who are walking non-traditional, creative, & ofttimes lonely paths.
This (wedding) play is exactly what (Melissa) the world needs now and here's why: Laughter heals, music connects, everyone loves a wedding, and...Jake Gyllenhaal. In all seriousness, this play inspires hope in those of us who are walking non-traditional, creative, & ofttimes lonely paths.
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Story
Mission Statement
We are a team who believes in the power of theater to connect the human spirit. We also believe in the power of the female voice. We are choosing to persevere despite COVID because we believe that the world needs artists in order to survive - to shed light on the human experience, to speak the truthAbout The Project
THE JOURNEY!
by Melissa Center
I sat down to write this play after a dear friend invited me to her women's writer's group - women supporting women. I knew I needed to invite more joy into my life, as for several years I was creating from deep, deep pain. I sat down to write, and suddenly knew it was time to tell this story. The words poured out, as did song lyrics, and suddenly, I was writing a one-woman musical!
Cut to: The Seed & Spark Creative Sustainability Summit.
I was NOT expecting to be selected to pitch for Mark Duplass. In fact, I almost didn't submit a pitch at all! In fact, the pitch that I submit was a different story entirely: I shared with Mark that my story felt heavy, and that I was resistant to even work on it. He asked me what I wanted to work on, and I responded with:
"Well I happen to be writing this play..."The rest is history. The crowd went wild, I received an incredible amount of support, and I knew I had to make this happen in a BIG way.
I submit the play to Edinburgh International Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world, and was accepted! This was an incredible opportunity to walk in the shoes of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, whose Fleabag premiered there a few years ago.
As fate would have it, I learned that at the same time of the festival, Jake would be starring in Sunday in the Park with George in London alongside Annaleigh Ashford (who I appeared with in Masters of Sex). It was too good to be true! I bought plane tickets to London, show tickets to Sunday in the Park, and somehow, Tanny (Producer) & I would meet Jake and tell him about our show.
Cut to: Coronavirus.
The world was opening up to me until it wasn't. Edinburgh cancelled, and theaters went dark. Now I couldn't perform my show as intended, nor have any idea when I'd be able to perform live again.
Thankfully I have a brilliant team, who believes in this play, and believes in me. I'll give full credit to my incredible Producer Jordan Ancel, who came up with the idea to livestream the play. This would fulfill both my need to re-connect with live performance AND fulfill a gaping hole in the hearts of theatre lovers across the world. He also suggested that in moving forward with this project, we'd be able to inspire fellow artists to keep creating, and to never give up - no matter what life throws at you.
Michelle Bossy is a Mexican-American director. Films Michelle has directed include Under the Lantern Lit Sky (Feature Film), Ladies Lounge, The New 35 and 18, amongst many others. She directed music videos for Yassou and Brooke Josephson.
She co-created the musical High School Confidential for Primary Stages, where she was the Associate Artistic Director. She holds the first undergraduate directing degree from Webster University’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts. Michelle teaches for the Graduate Dramatic Writing Program at NYU, and Syracuse University.
Member: Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and SDC. Recipient: Denham Fellowship.
Tanny is an independent film producer and writer. In 2004 she became an assistant to an award-winning writer-director, David O. Russell, where she learned how to support an artist’s vision while maintaining a functioning production. Having worked closely with coordinators at Sundance, she was personally invited to attend the prestigious Sundance Producers Conference in 2006.
She produced the critically acclaimed short film, More Than One, written by Jordan Wong and directed by Takahisa Shiraishi. The film was presented at the Cannes Film Festival, Short Film Corner.
During her tenure at Harvard Divinity School, she produced several live events including: Harvard’s Buddhism and Race Conference, Monthly Buddhist Film Series and HDS Film Festival. Currently, Tanny is an associate producer for “The Psalm of Howard Thurman”, researching and developing an immigrant story that reflects her own family’s immigrant experiences & is the co-founder of Whole Self Systems & Whole Self Stories with creative partner Melissa Center.
Jordan Ancel is an award-winning filmmaker and producer with four projects slated for production in 2021. As a former actor with his roots in New York theater, he had the privilege of being personally mentored by the late Mike Nichols and the late-great Paul Sills until their deaths.
He was a founding member of the award-winning Off-Broadway theater company, The Greenwich House Theater Company (1993), in The West Village of NYC, whose members included the late Academy Award-Winning Kim Hunter, Sylvia Miles, Harvey Keitel (guest readings), and Ellen Barkin (Board of Directors).
As a serial entrepreneur for over 20 years, Jordan has helped launch successful entertainment startups. He is currently the Chief Creative Officer of the entertainment startup MediaU, and sits on the board of the developing theme park, Game Nation, Inc.
Melissa Center is an actress, filmmaker, and co-founder of a Whole Self Systems, which is dedicated to empowering women & diverse voices to sharing their authentic stories with the world. As an actor her credits range from a recurring role on Grey’s Anatomy to a tour of A Chorus Line. Her award-winning short, R.V, about the threat to women's reproductive rights, has reached over half a million people, and has won awards for it's social impact. Her feature film All I Want, is available for purchase on mulitple streaming platforms. www.melissacenter.com
We are blessed & grateful to be partering with The Pico to be bringing this special play to you. Thank you, Mika, for your enthusiasm & generosity!!
We are raising funds for the livestreamed and filmed production of MELISSA CENTER IS...MARRYING JAKE GYLLENHAAL. Weddings are EXPENSIVE! And so are theatrical productions.
It is our goal to use this project to support the incredible artists who are jobless due to Covid-19. We are doing so practically, and by setting an example of what's possible.
All funds raised will go to our incredible cast, crew, renting camera equipment, musical compostition, food, the works! We are passionate about elevating artists and particularly women's voices, and that includes paying them for their work.
We are committed to giving back on multiple fronts through this production. Once funded, we will be making personal donations based on how much we are able to raise during this campaign. We are proud to partner with THE INDIE THEATER FUND, who provide Rapid Relief Emergency Grants to artists in the most urgent need, centering artists of color, LGBTQIA+ artists, immigrant/undocumented artists and those with disabilities.
DEEP THOUGHTS BY THE PRODUCING TEAM:
Producing this project in the middle of the covid-19 pandemic is a deliberate choice. It will provide work to our cast and crew, most of whom are currently unemployed due to the circumstances. It's an act of courage in and of itself, but it isn't a careless one. Our goal is to create the safest environment possible for our cast and crew. We've come up with a plan that follows the strict guidelines of the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health. We've designated a covid-19 Compliance Officer to enforce all safety protocols. As much as this time-sensitive project is dear to us, nothing takes precedence over our team's health and safety.
DEEP THOUGHTS BY MELISSA CENTER:
Straight up, when my mom kept sending me things about Jake Gyllenhaal, I thought she was nuts. But after enough time, and after enough small-world connections to him, I started to feel tickled by the whole thing. And my perspective of my mom slowly changed for the better.
And a big part of the theme of this play is about my relationship with my mom, and how to carve out my own identity, and find my own voice, especially when things in my life aren't going so well.
It's hard to stay true to your hopes & dreams when life confronts you with obstacle after obstacle. It's hard to trust yourself when there are external voices telling you that you are on the wrong path. It's hard to believe dreams can come true, when you aren't where you want to be in your career AND in your love-life.
But the journey of this play alone is proof that dreams CAN and do come true...
Incentives
$18
THE CHAMPAGNE TOAST (TO YOU)
At weddings, bar mitzvahs, and when making honorary donations, Jews often give gifts of money in multiples of 18, symbolically giving the recipient the gift of “life” or luck. So, make a donation in honor of a friend and be sure to wish them a long life by multiplying by 18! Jake (who is half-Jewish) will thank you :-)
$25
THE GUEST LIST - VIP RSVP TO THE (LIVE-STREAM) WEDDING OF THE CENTURY!
You will have a front row seat to the most creative wedding of the century! All from the comfort of your home.
Since Melissa (and Jake) are theatre lovers, and we are all missing the special feeling of seeing a live show - you will receive a digital Playbill to accompany your generous contribution
$50
THE BANDLEADER - VIP TICKET + DIGITAL SOUNDTRACK
Did you know that Melissa raps? Well you do now. She also sings. And the songs, written by Melissa, composed by Jamie Buxton, with orchestrations by Ernie Bird & beats by Jake Staley will bring you much needed laughter and joy.
$100
"MARRY ME?" - VIP TICKET + FULL EDIT + CUSTOM LOVE LETTER
Melissa wrote an AMAZING love letter to Jake. This letter is part of the reason why this wedding is happening, and a very special moment in the play.
Do you have a special someone in your life who deserves to know all the reasons why you are soul mates? Or someone who is not yet in your life who needs to know why you are meant to be? Melissa will craft a custom love letter for you.
Off course, you'll also be a most welcomed VIP guest at the Wedding, and receive our digital wedding video aka the full edit of the play.
$101
CROWDFUNDING 101: THE KICKSTARTER GUY
SPECIALIZED PERK! LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Up your crowdfunding knowledge and GREEN-LIGHT YOURSELF!
• 30 Minute Private Coaching Session with The Kickstarter Guy
Justin Giddings is the owner of The Kickstarter Guy and is the top crowdfunding coach in Los Angeles of over 175 campaighttps://media.giphy.com/media/11YWp81sHUrPLa/giphy-downsized.gifns with a 97% success rate and has helped raise over $6 million for independent artists and creators.
This reward is a step that can help you fund your passion and change the course of your life. Get on a call with Justin and learn the system the Marrying Jake Gyllenhaal team used that got us Greenlit in 4 days!
Claimed: 1 of 2
$200
THE PATRON OF THE ARTS - VIP TICKET + FULL EDIT + LISTING IN VIRTUAL PLAYBILL
Do you have a business or want to promote yourself or your services? We will include you in our virtual playbill, which will go out to all our wedding guests!
Plus you will be invited to the wedding as our esteemed guest, and receive our digital wedding video (private full edit of the play) to commemorate the moment.
Claimed: 6 of 8
$250
THE WEDDING DJ - VIP TICKET + FULL EDIT + PERSONALIZED RAP
I bet you didn't believe us when we said Melissa raps. If you want a personalized rap of your own, Melissa will write & record one for you!
DJ privileges also get you an invite to the wedding & a copy of our wedding video.
#weddinglife
$500
THE GUEST OF HONOR
Thank you for your generosity! Now we can plan our honeymoon to the Riviera :-)
As a Guest of Honor, you will receive a feature in our playbill, a copy of our digital soundtrack, a personalized rap - whut?! - a full edit of the "wedding video," AND a signed / printed show poster!
$1,000
HEY MS/MR. PRODUCER!
Ever dreamt of producing a show? A wedding that is actually a show? A livestreamed and filmed version of a wedding that's actually a show? Starring (Melissa Center) the essence of Jake Gyllenhaal?!!!
Well now's your chance!
Your name will be up on the screen as Associate Producer of the wedding (show) of the century.
You will also receive the perks of being a Guest of Honor. THANK YOU!!
Claimed: 2 of 5
$2,500
BLING RING - THE CO-PRODUCER
We see you! You want the lobster meal flown in fresh from Cape Cod. We got you!!
On big JG movies, Co-Producers are coveted roles! On Brokeback Mountain, the Co-Producer, Scott Ferguson, is also a producer of The Normal Heart, Twighlight, and Succession. I'd say you're in good company!
In addition to your Co-Producer credit, we'll roll out the red carpet for you as a true Guest of Honor. We are truly moved by your generosity.
Claimed: 0 of 5
$5,004
MOTHER/FATHER OF THE BRIDE aka THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Since Melissa's mom likes to send her horoscopes, 5004 is significant for 2 reasons - First, it is a multiple of 18 (Chai, "living" in Hebrew.) Second, when you divide 5004 by 18 you get 278. And according to "the stars," 278 is a message that Melissa's present course of action is in line with her life purpose. Her angels encourage her to continue on this path with faith, trust and enthusiasm!
As for the generous backer(s) in this category - You are truly loved. The wedding wouldn't be happening without your incredible support! Thank you for agreeing to "give away" the Bride (and Groom).
Should you so choose, you get to make the first toast, which we will use to introduce our Bride. You will receive a full-spread in our digital playbill, and our commemorative gifts: the digital soundtrack, "wedding video," a personalized rap, and a printed poster signed with love!
You deserve it all...
Claimed: 1 of 2
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$18
THE CHAMPAGNE TOAST (TO YOU)
At weddings, bar mitzvahs, and when making honorary donations, Jews often give gifts of money in multiples of 18, symbolically giving the recipient the gift of “life” or luck. So, make a donation in honor of a friend and be sure to wish them a long life by multiplying by 18! Jake (who is half-Jewish) will thank you :-)
$25
THE GUEST LIST - VIP RSVP TO THE (LIVE-STREAM) WEDDING OF THE CENTURY!
You will have a front row seat to the most creative wedding of the century! All from the comfort of your home.
Since Melissa (and Jake) are theatre lovers, and we are all missing the special feeling of seeing a live show - you will receive a digital Playbill to accompany your generous contribution
$50
THE BANDLEADER - VIP TICKET + DIGITAL SOUNDTRACK
Did you know that Melissa raps? Well you do now. She also sings. And the songs, written by Melissa, composed by Jamie Buxton, with orchestrations by Ernie Bird & beats by Jake Staley will bring you much needed laughter and joy.
$100
"MARRY ME?" - VIP TICKET + FULL EDIT + CUSTOM LOVE LETTER
Melissa wrote an AMAZING love letter to Jake. This letter is part of the reason why this wedding is happening, and a very special moment in the play.
Do you have a special someone in your life who deserves to know all the reasons why you are soul mates? Or someone who is not yet in your life who needs to know why you are meant to be? Melissa will craft a custom love letter for you.
Off course, you'll also be a most welcomed VIP guest at the Wedding, and receive our digital wedding video aka the full edit of the play.
$101
CROWDFUNDING 101: THE KICKSTARTER GUY
SPECIALIZED PERK! LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Up your crowdfunding knowledge and GREEN-LIGHT YOURSELF!
• 30 Minute Private Coaching Session with The Kickstarter Guy
Justin Giddings is the owner of The Kickstarter Guy and is the top crowdfunding coach in Los Angeles of over 175 campaighttps://media.giphy.com/media/11YWp81sHUrPLa/giphy-downsized.gifns with a 97% success rate and has helped raise over $6 million for independent artists and creators.
This reward is a step that can help you fund your passion and change the course of your life. Get on a call with Justin and learn the system the Marrying Jake Gyllenhaal team used that got us Greenlit in 4 days!
Claimed: 1 of 2
$200
THE PATRON OF THE ARTS - VIP TICKET + FULL EDIT + LISTING IN VIRTUAL PLAYBILL
Do you have a business or want to promote yourself or your services? We will include you in our virtual playbill, which will go out to all our wedding guests!
Plus you will be invited to the wedding as our esteemed guest, and receive our digital wedding video (private full edit of the play) to commemorate the moment.
Claimed: 6 of 8
$250
THE WEDDING DJ - VIP TICKET + FULL EDIT + PERSONALIZED RAP
I bet you didn't believe us when we said Melissa raps. If you want a personalized rap of your own, Melissa will write & record one for you!
DJ privileges also get you an invite to the wedding & a copy of our wedding video.
#weddinglife
$500
THE GUEST OF HONOR
Thank you for your generosity! Now we can plan our honeymoon to the Riviera :-)
As a Guest of Honor, you will receive a feature in our playbill, a copy of our digital soundtrack, a personalized rap - whut?! - a full edit of the "wedding video," AND a signed / printed show poster!
$1,000
HEY MS/MR. PRODUCER!
Ever dreamt of producing a show? A wedding that is actually a show? A livestreamed and filmed version of a wedding that's actually a show? Starring (Melissa Center) the essence of Jake Gyllenhaal?!!!
Well now's your chance!
Your name will be up on the screen as Associate Producer of the wedding (show) of the century.
You will also receive the perks of being a Guest of Honor. THANK YOU!!
Claimed: 2 of 5
$2,500
BLING RING - THE CO-PRODUCER
We see you! You want the lobster meal flown in fresh from Cape Cod. We got you!!
On big JG movies, Co-Producers are coveted roles! On Brokeback Mountain, the Co-Producer, Scott Ferguson, is also a producer of The Normal Heart, Twighlight, and Succession. I'd say you're in good company!
In addition to your Co-Producer credit, we'll roll out the red carpet for you as a true Guest of Honor. We are truly moved by your generosity.
Claimed: 0 of 5
$5,004
MOTHER/FATHER OF THE BRIDE aka THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Since Melissa's mom likes to send her horoscopes, 5004 is significant for 2 reasons - First, it is a multiple of 18 (Chai, "living" in Hebrew.) Second, when you divide 5004 by 18 you get 278. And according to "the stars," 278 is a message that Melissa's present course of action is in line with her life purpose. Her angels encourage her to continue on this path with faith, trust and enthusiasm!
As for the generous backer(s) in this category - You are truly loved. The wedding wouldn't be happening without your incredible support! Thank you for agreeing to "give away" the Bride (and Groom).
Should you so choose, you get to make the first toast, which we will use to introduce our Bride. You will receive a full-spread in our digital playbill, and our commemorative gifts: the digital soundtrack, "wedding video," a personalized rap, and a printed poster signed with love!
You deserve it all...
Claimed: 1 of 2
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