Leslie Jordan Returns to the Stage with FULL OF GIN & REGRET, 12/10; Alexandra Billings Guest Stars

Emmy Award Winner Leslie Jordan returns to the live stage with another theatrical segment from his mindset, "Full of Gin and Regret: An Evening with Leslie Jordan," at the Renberg Theater at LA Gay & Lesbian Center in Los Angeles. The performance will feature special guest singer/actress Alexandra Billings and will run for two weekends only, December 10-13 and 17-20.

Leslie won the 2006 Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor for his sterling portrayal of "Beverly Leslie" in the hit television series "Will & Grace." Other television work includes appearances on "Ugly Betty," "Boston Legal" and "Privileged."

Leslie originated the role of "Brother Boy" in Del Shores' hit play "Sordid Lives," and reprised the role in the 2000 film version starring Olivia Newton-John, Delta Burke and Beau Bridges and in the 2008 television series on Logo. Leslie also appears in the as-yet-to-be released feature film "Love Ranch" starring Helen Mirren directed by Taylor Hackford.

As an actor in the theater, Mr. Jordan won Los Angeles' prestigious Ovation Award, the Garland Award and The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for his portrayal of "Preston Leroy," the aging, sodden barfly in Del Shores hit play "Southern Baptist Sissies."

Leslie's one-man show "Like a Dog on Linoleum" performed to sold-out audiences at the Elephant Asylum Theater in Los Angeles, the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs, the Bailiwick Theater in Chicago, the 14th Street Playhouse in Atlanta and the Lorraine Hansberry Theater in San Francisco.

As an author, Mr. Jordan has enjoyed considerable success with his book, My Trip Down the Pink Carpet, published by Simon and Schuster. Material from this release formed the basis of his 90-minute one-man show of the same name, which had a successful 45 city book-signing/performance tour in 2008 and is currently in pre-production for an Off-Broadway run in New York in 2010. The DVD version of the "...Pink Carpet," shot during performances in Atlanta, is being readied for release. 

As a playwright, Mr. Jordan's play "Hysterical Blindness and Other Southern Tragedies That Have Plagued My Life Thus Far" ran to sold-out houses in Los Angeles and had a successful seven month run Off-Broadway at The Playhouse on Van Dam in New York City. His screenplay "Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel" won the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival's Production Grant Award, winning the competition from over 600 other scripts. Subsequently, it was made into an independent feature film distributed by Northern Arts Entertainment.

Singer/Actress, Alexandra Billings, has headlined cross country at such places as: Park West, The Cultural Center, Pops For Champagne, The Gentry of Chicago, Piano Man, The Royal George Cabaret, Mercury Theater, Toulouse on the Park, Davenports, Andy's, and The Empire Room at the Palmer House. Alex has won 5 After Dark Awards; been named one of the top ten personalities of by the Chicago Tribune and earned the New York MAC Hanson Award. Her debut CD "Being Alive" (produced by Lampkin Music Group); "The Story Goes On", her 2004 CD release has received warm reviews. Los Angeles theater: "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" (Sacred Fools), "Twist" (Avery Schreiber Theater), "The House of Yes" (Tall Blondes Productions), and in the newly adapted version of Felini's "Il Bidone" at The Bootleg Theater. Chicago Theater credits: The Steppenwolf Theater, The Goodman, as Rose in "Gypsy" for The Bailiwick Theater, Shakespeare Theatre, as Mrs. Lynde in "Nora" for The Court, Next Theatre, Lifeline, About Face, and as Ruth in "Pirates of Penzance" for Light Opera Works. Off Broadway: "Before I Disappear" and "Hamlet- The Musical". Television credits include guest starring roles on "Grey's Anatomy", "E.R.", "Eli Stone", and "Karen Sisco". She co-starred in the TV movie "Romy and Michelle- A New Beginning" with Katherine Heigl, as well as the two Indie films: "Socket", and "Stealth".

The show is produced by Billy Miller and runs December 10 -13 and December 17 - 20, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays @ 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $35.00 and are available at 1-323-860-7300 or www.lagaycenter.org/boxoffice.  For more information, visit www.lagaycenter.org.