For Immediate Release: March 28, 2005
Media Contact: James Haskins, Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, 215.413.7150

Jilline Ringle (1964-2005)

On Monday, April 4, 2005, fans and colleagues will gather for a memorial celebration of the life of Jilline Ringle, Philadelphia actress, singer and self-proclaimed “six-foot redhead Amazon from hell whom all men desire.” Requiem for an Amazon is a cabaret featuring the Big Mess Orchestra and performances by members of 1812 Productions, Arden Theatre Company, Big Mess and many other Philadelphia favorites. It will be hosted by local divas Carlota Ttendant and Harriett Levy (a.k.a. Michael Byrne and Todd Waddington) and will take place at the Trocadero, 1003 Arch Street in Philadelphia. The doors open at 7:00 p.m., and the cabaret begins at 8:00 p.m. Admission is pay-what-you-can with all proceeds going to benefit the Jilline Ringle Solo Performance Fund at 1812 Productions.

Ms. Ringle's death from cancer on February 28 stunned everyone in the Philadelphia theater community. Requiem for an Amazon organizers Grace Gonglewski, Andy Bresnan, Todd Waddington, Michael Byrne and Jennifer Childs had been planning a cabaret to raise funds for Jilline's medical expenses when they heard the news. As many Philadelphia friends and fans were not able to make it to the funeral service in her hometown in northern New Jersey, the organizers decided to continue with the cabaret and make it a memorial. “A cabaret is the ideal vehicle to celebrate Jilline by having many of the people who loved her participate,” said Big Mess Cabaret artistic director Andy Bresnan. “We're planning the event with her in mind as the ultimate audience member: what would Jilline laugh at, what would she like to see on stage?”

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Jilline Ringle Solo Performance Fund at 1812 Productions, which Ms. Ringle helped to design. “When Jilline found out she was sick again, she and I had a lot of difficult conversations about the future,” says 1812's Artistic Director Jennifer Childs. “We talked extensively about a fund she wanted to start that would support solo performers. After experiencing the joys and challenges of creating, performing and often producing her own work, she wanted to put something in place that would assist people who were trying to do what she was doing.” Ms. Ringle appeared in six 1812 Productions: Box Office of the Damned, The Great Northeast, Another Big Time, Always a Lady and two runs of her own Mondo Mangia (2000 and 2004).

Requiem for an Amazon is open to the public on a pay-what-you-can basis, with proceeds benefiting the Jilline Ringle Solo Performance Fund at 1812 Productions. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., and the cabaret begins at 8:00 p.m. Advance reservations are not being taken. For more information call the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia at (215) 413-7150.

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