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"WAKE UP!"
Limited Engagement! Previews begin October 7 at The Green Room

"disturbing and extreme... as Finley's long career has often proved, going to extremes often reveals uncomfortable realities" - Chicago Tribune

KAREN FINLEY, the most controversial woman in performance today, will present the New York Premiere of her latest work "WAKE UP!" at The Green Room at 45 Bleecker Street . Previews begin October 7th with opening night scheduled for Sunday, October 21st.

"WAKE UP" is an evening of two thematically related companion pieces. The first half is The Dreams of Laura Bush, an illustrated dream journal of America's First Lady. Mrs. Bush's dreams alternate between the profound and the mundane and feature a cast of international celebs and politicians. Drawings (also by Finley) are projected as a backdrop as the dreams unfold. Ultimately, the politics of the feminine passive power are uncovered with a blend humor and unleashed desire in this surreal piece.

The 2nd half is The Passion of Terri Schiavo. Here, a live action ink painting becomes the abstracted soul projection of a culture obsessed with one woman's right to die yet at the same time at war. In this work, an oppositional narrative gives voice to both pro and con, family, stranger and society at large. It is an impassioned, personal look at issues of dignity in death and the value of life.

KAREN FINLEY is widely regarded as one of the most relentlessly independent and visceral performance artists of her generation. Crossbreeding theater, performance, spoken word, and visual art, Finley's challenging and darkly humorous work is moving and powerful, edgy and unpredictable. A brave and limitless performer, Finley faces her issues, her critics, and her audiences head-on in a complex, frank, and arresting performance experience.

Since her first performances in the early 1980's, Karen Finley has become synonymous with performance art. She is the recipient of two Obies, two Bessies, and multiple grants from the NEA and NYSCA. She has toured internationally with pieces including George and Martha, Make Love, The American Chestnut, A Certain Level of Denial and The Return of The Chocolate Smeared Woman. In 1990, Finley became an unwilling symbol for the NEA when she, along with Tim Miller, Holly Hughes & John Fleck, sued the NEA for withdrawing grants on the grounds of indecency.

"WAKE UP!" runs October 7 - November 18, Sundays at 7:00pm. Tickets are $22. The Green Room at 45 Bleecker Street is located at the corner of Bleecker and Lafayette Streets -- accessible from the 6 train at Bleecker or the F,V, B,D trains at Broadway-Lafayette). For reservations and information call 212-239-6200 or visit TeleCharge.com.