Bassem Youssef

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The Town Hall Presents Gods & Savages: A Literary Series

123 W 43RD ST NYC | THETOWNHALL.ORG


THE TOWN HALL PRESENTS | SPRING 2017

Gods & Savages: A Literary Series

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STRAND BOOKS STORE

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The Town Hall Presents Gods & Savages: A Literary Series

Tuesday March 21 2017, 8pm

BASSEM YOUSSEF “Revolution for Dummies: Laughing through the arab Spring” published by harper collins

THE TOWN HALL 123 W 43rD sT nyc

LARRY ZUCKER, Executive Director M.A. PAPPER, Artistic Director CINDY BYRAM, Publicity BILL DEHLING, Technical Director Booking Representation: PomeGRaNate aRtS Linda Brumbach Alisa E. Regas Adam Thorburn Rachel Katwan Jeremy Lydic Jadd Tank Willa Folmar

Founder and Director Managing Director, Creative Business Manager Associate General Manager Production Manager Office Manager Production Assistant


BASSEM YOUSSEF


Bassem Youssef, dubbed the Jon Stewart of the Arab World, was the host of popular TV show AlBernameg - which was the first of its kind political satire show in the Middle East. Originally a 5-minute show on YouTube, AlBernameg became the first online to TV conversion in the Middle East and the most watched show across the region with 30 million viewers every week. AlBernameg received wide acclaim around the world with coverage in some of the biggest media outlets, topping it off with Youssef’s appearance on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart twice in June 2012 and April 2013. In June 2013, Youssef hosted Jon Stewart on AlBernameg in Cairo marking the second season’s peak. Throughout its three seasons AlBernameg remained controversial through its humorous yet bold criticism of the ruling powers, which led to tens of lawsuits being filed against the show and its host. Youssef was even issued an arrest warrant in March 2013 and turned himself in the next day where he was questioned for five hours and released on bail. In recognition of his success, Youssef was named among the Time Magazine most influential list for 2013 under the “Pioneers” category, was awarded the International Press Freedom Award by the CPJ, and was chosen by Foreign Policy magazine as one of the global thinkers during the same year. During its third season, the show achieved unprecedented weekly viewership ratings for 11 consecutive weeks. In June 2014, and after a six-week break, AlBernameg team held a press conference where Youssef announced the termination of the show due to overwhelming pressures on both the show and the airing channel. In the spring of 2015 Youssef served as a resident fellow at the Institute of Politics at the John F Kennedy School of Government for one semester. During his stay in the US he appeared twice as a Senior Middle East Correspondent on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, commenting on the recent political situation in the region. He has recently hosted the International Emmy Awards gala of 2015, as well as the 49th Carthage Film Festival in Tunis. Youssef’s most recent projects include Democracy Handbook, a ten-part series exploring topics of democracy on fusion.net, and the launch of a new book, Revolution for Dummies: Laughing Through the Arab Spring in the spring of 2017. Youssef majored in cardiothoracic surgery, passed the United States Medical License Exam (USMLE) and is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS).

Cover Photo by Yehia Elzeiny Facing Photo by Coucla Refaat

“Revolution for Dummies: Laughing through the Arab Spring” - Published by Harper Collins


MAJOR GIFTS, CORPORATE, FOUNDATION & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT This program is supported, in part, by public funds from The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with The City Council. We would like to thank the following foundations, corporations, and government institutions for their support: Achelis and Bodman Foundation

The Hearst Foundations, Inc.

The Actors Fund

Hurst Foundation

Affiliated Advisors

Hyde and Watson Foundation

Bank of America

Israel Consulate

Bruce Weber and Nan Bush Foundation

Jewish Communal Fund

Charina Endowment Fund Cohn Foundation Consolidated Edison Company of New York Jean and Louis Dreyfus Foundation Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation

JP Morgan Chase Jujamcyn Theaters Edythe Kenner Foundation Lewis QVC Trust Local One S&P Global Mex-Am Cultural Foundation

Ernst & Young

Morgan Stanley

Robert Evanson

Nash Family Foundation

Ford Foundation

Nederlander Organization

Dr. Charlotte K. Frank

Nelson Foundation

Garber Atlas Fries & Associates

Nesenoff & Miltenberg, LLP

Anne and Gordon Getty Foundation

New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council

New York City Council Member, Daniel Garodnick John Gore/Key Brand Entertainment William T. Grant Foundation Harkness Foundation for Dance

New York State Council on the Arts Henry Nias Foundation Pinkerton Foundation PwC Reed Foundation

Pamela and Richard Rubinstein Foundation Rudin Foundation Shubert Foundation The Shubert Organization, Inc. John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Theatre Refreshments Ticketmaster Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund Joyce and George Wein Foundation, Inc. Wenner Foundation West New York Restoration Project Zegar Family Foundation Susan Zohn John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Theatre Refreshments Ticketmaster Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund Joyce and George Wein Foundation, Inc. Wenner Foundation West New York Restoration Project Zegar Family Foundation Susan Zohn

Town Hall has played an integral part in the electrifying cultural fabric of New York City for more than 90 years. A group of Suffragists’ fight for the 19th Amendment led them to build a meeting space to educate people on the important issues of the day. During its construction, the 19th Amendment was passed, and on January 12, 1921 The Town Hall opened its doors and took on a double meaning: as a symbol of the victory sought by its founders, and as a spark for a new, more optimistic climate. In 1921, German composer Richard Strauss performed a series of concerts that cemented the Hall’s reputation as an ideal venue for musical performances. Since, Town Hall has been home to countless musical milestones: The US debuts of Strauss, and Isaac Stern; Marian Anderson’s first New York recital; in 1945, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker introduced bebop to the world; Bob Dylan’s first major concert in ‘63; and much much more. Learn more. Visit thetownhall.org/tours


THE TOWN HALL FOUNDATION The Town Hall’s mission is to provide affordable world-class entertainment by new and established artists to a diverse audience; to inspire the youth of our community to appreciate and participate in the arts at The Town Hall and in schools through our Educational Outreach Program; and to preserve and enhance The Town Hall as a historic landmark venue for the enjoyment and cultural enrichment of generations to come.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES President Tom M. Wirtshafter

Treasurer Andrew T. Miltenberg

Vice President Alfred H. Horowitz

Secretary Phyllis Putter Barasch

Vice President Bruce S. Leffler TRUSTEES Phyllis Putter Barasch Robert E. Evanson Anne Frank-Shapiro Alfred H. Horowitz Henry Johansson Ted Lambert Bruce S. Leffler Marvin Leffler Walter Melvin Andrew T. Miltenberg Honorable Milton Mollen Rita Robbins Nevin Steinberg Tom Wirtshafter Susan Zohn LIFE TRUSTEES Leona Chanin Eugene J.T. Flanagan Claire G. Miller Robert F. Wright

President Emeritus Marvin Leffler ADVISORY COUNCIL Kathleen Rosenberg, Chair Nancy Berman Shauna Denkensohn Sandy Horowitz Fern Hurst Elizabeth Iannizzi Claire Miller Zita Rosenthal Rhoda Rothkopf ARTS IN EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL Dr. Charlotte K. Frank, Chair Michael Fram Dr. Sharon Dunn Gary Hecht Ernest Logan Dr. Lisa Mars Dr. Eloise Messineo Dr. Pola Rosen Leona Shapiro Manuel Urena George Young

Administrative Assistant Sara Minisquero

Artistic Director M.A. Papper

Administrative Assistant Britni Montalbano

Arts Education Program Director Emma Klauber Digital Media Manager Maya Shanker

FIRE NOTICE

The exit indicated by a red light and sign nearest to the seat you occupy is the shortest route to the street. In the event of fire or other emergency please do not run, WALK TO THAT EXIT. Thoughtless persons annoy patrons and endanger the safety of others by lighting matches or smoking in prohibited areas during the performances and intermissions. This violates a city ordinance and is punishable by law. -FIRE COMMISSIONER

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WARNING

Chief Engineer Steve Franqui

CELL PHONE POLICY

Cell phones should be silenced prior to the performance as a courtesy to the performers and audience. Lobby Refreshment by Theatre Refreshment Company of NY

Box Office Manager Angel Rodriguez House Manager Richard Looney Technical Director Bill Dehling Design Leia-lee Doran

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