In:
"Opening Night"

March 2006

PRESS RELEASE

Click Here For Chris Jericho's Promo Poster

for

"Opening Night"

BIRD ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES CHRIS JERICHO STARRING IN

SUMMER PRODUCTION OF NORM FOSTER’S “OPENING NIGHT”

Bird Entertainment is both proud and excited to announce production of Norm Foster’s hit comedy “Opening Night”

starring Actor, Wrestler and Musician Chris Jericho.  This renowned Canadian comedy is both critically acclaimed and

adored by audiences around the world.  Bird Entertainment is especially thrilled to have Chris Jericho star

in one of the lead roles, as his performance promises to bring charisma and comedic talent to the production

   This production is scheduled to run July 20 – 22, 2006 at the Toronto Centre for the Arts Studio Theatre

with showtimes at 8:00pm.  Tickets will be on sale Monday March 27^th, 2006 and are available by contacting Ticketmaster

at TicketMaster.Com or 416-870-8000, or in person

at all local Ticketmaster outlets and the Toronto Centre box office.

   In anticipation of this event, Chris Jericho and Bird Entertainment’s Owner and Artistic Director, Brian Bird, will be available

for scheduled phone interviews.  Please contact David Forrester, Bird Entertainment’s Producer, at 416-378-7707

or [email protected]  to set up an appointment.  Please act quickly to avoid disappointment.

   Please find enclosed the show poster, synopsis, Chris Jericho’s and Norm Foster’s biographies,

and a brief summary of Bird Entertainment’s company history.  For more information please

do not hesitate to contact us at 416-378-7707 or visit our website at Birdent.Com.

About Bird Entertainment

   Bird Entertainment is a non-profit community theatre organization located in Brampton, Ontario.

Since its inception, Bird Entertainment has strove to give young actors the opportunity to try leading roles in

established plays spanning a wide variety of genres to inspire development.  The company encourages

young people to explore the art of acting while allowing them to work with, and learn from their peers.

   It's not a script, set or lights that drive a Bird Entertainment production - it's the people on stage.

The passion, enthusiasm, and dedication of Bird Entertainment's members make this team truly special,

and make them able to provide audiences with ever-evolving talent and productions.

In the near future, Bird Entertainment hopes to soar to new heights as it grows

from a community-based theatre group into a professional one.

About Chris Jericho

   Chris Jericho, a talented actor, television personality, radio host, and rock star, has established himself

as a multifaceted performer.  Chris, a regular on VH-1’s The Best Week Ever, and the E! Networks, has appeared

as a panelist on over a dozen shows including Biggest Celebrity Oops (E! Networks) and the

I Love The 70's, 80's and 90's series (VH-1).  Chris’s other recent guest appearances include Jimmy Kimmel Live,

The Howard Stern Show, The Late Show Late Show and Steve Harvey’s Big Time.

   Chris also guest hosted The Best Damn Sports Show Period, MadTV and Headbanger's Ball on MTV2.

Jericho, who began wrestling at age 19, is best known as one of the most popular wrestling champions in history.

 In 2001 he became the first ever Undisputed Champion of the WWE and is the only performer to have held

six different titles in the 44-year history of World Wrestling Entertainment. 

   Chris hosts his own show on XM Satellite Radio (Channel 41 Da Boneyard) entitled “The Rock of Jericho”

airing Sunday nights.  Chris’s knowledge of music spans beyond just facts, as displayed by his role as

lead singer of the rock band Fozzy. Their third CD, All That Remains was released in 2005,

via Chris’s own record label Ash Records. Fozzy's first two records sold over 100,000 units and the

band has played sold out shows in the US, Canada, Europe and the United Kingdom.

   Jericho recently made the cross over to film with his first lead role in the SCI FI Channel’s original film, 2Human. 

His talent also extends beyond the camera through the direction of the band’s comedic documentary

and several music videos, all of which enjoyed rotation on MTV, MTV2, FUSE and Much Music. 

Chris grew up in Winnipeg, Canada and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA and Tampa, FL

About “Opening Night”

    “Opening Night” is the hilarious story of the opening night of a Broadway production gone horribly wrong.

The antics begin as Jack and Ruth Tisdale celebrate their 25^th 'wedding anniversary with an evening at the theatre.

It's a dream come true for Ruth and an imposition for Jack who would rather be at home watching the World Series.

   Meanwhile, backstage the director, Richard, has to deal with the actors, the wannabes, the has-beens,

and his girlfriend who in the midst of it all wants to talk about “their relationship”. 

After the events both on and off the stage, the lives of all involved are irreparably altered. 

   The play’s intriguing, yet personable characters allow each and every audience member to feel an intimate connection

to the storyline, a feat not often accomplished by playwrights. 

   The L.A. Daily News states that “Norm Foster creates characters who are so believable that

theatergoers see bits of themselves reflected on stage,”

while the Montreal Gazette has called “Opening Night” “A time bomb of hilarity!”

About Norm Foster

   One of Canada’s most celebrated playwrights, Norm Foster has written over 30 critically acclaimed plays

which have played throughout North America and the rest of the world.  These include: “Sinners”,

“Wrong For Each Other”, “Office Hours”, “Opening Night”, and “The Foursome”.  Foster’s “The Melville Boys”,

which went on to become his signature play, even had a well-received off-Broadway run in New York. 

Although best known for his comedic work, Foster has also produced several dramas and 4 musicals.

   When asked about his work Foster states:

“I think for the most part, they're about ordinary people just trying to get by in life.

I never set out with a monumental purpose in mind. I'm not trying to teach an audience a lesson

or pass along some profound message, because I don't think I'm qualified. What I am trying to do

is make them feel a little better about this world, and that's not easy these days.”