Drew Carey hosts The Armando Show at iO WEST! January 14, 2008

While the more than eight-week old WGA strike is anything but funny, the staff at iO WEST is standing up and speaking out to provide some relief for the writers in the form of comedy and donations.

In a show of solidarity, every Monday during the month of January, iO WESTs hit show, The Armando Show, will be donating half its box office proceeds to the Industry Support Fund. The Armando Show, which boasts a cast of Hollywoods finest actors and writers sharing personal, improvised monologues that in turn inspire a series of improvised scenes, will be helmed in January with SAG/WGA performers and monologists. This month-long event will culminate in a star-studded strike support show on Monday, Feb 4, with 100% of the box going to the Industry Support Fund. The Offices Angela Kinsey and Kate Flannery as well as MADtvs Mo Collins are already on board to join the cast of Regular Armando performers including Tim Meadows (Walk Hard, SNL) and MADtvs Stephnie Weir among other notable iO alums.

My vision for these shows is that they keep awareness on the strike and that they become a weekly rally for WGA members to be entertained and share camaraderie with their fellow union members, says James Grace, Artistic Director of iO WEST.

Justine Bateman (Men In Trees, Family Ties) and Melanie Chartoff (Rugrats, Fridays) will be kicking off STRIKE! The Armando WGA/SAG Solidarity Shows on January 7th. Drew Carey (The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line Is It Anyway) will host the January 14th show and Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show) will host the January 28th show. Other anticipated WGA members joining the January line-up of guest improvisers include writers Kate Purdy (Cold Case), Ed Lee (Drew Carey Show), Cindy Caponera (My Boys, SNL), Rich Talarico (SNL, MADtv),

In addition to the weekly improv shows, Kate Purdy, an iO WEST performer and WGA strike captain, will help organizing weekly themed picket line support by the theater at picket locations in Hollywood and in the Valley beginning on January 7th.

Every night, until the strike is over, iO WEST will be offering $3 well drinks and $2 PBR for WGA members who present their membership cards.

Make reservations for a good time and a good cause. Tickets for the January Armando Shows are $10, the February 4th show tickets are $25 both can be purchased in advance here or by calling 323.962.7560.

Mondays @ 9 PM. Mainstage!

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of iowest.