Erica Watson's "Fat Bitch" Debuts in Chicago November 19th - Free Ticket Giveaway!

Erica Chi-Town[1] Erica Watson – “big, bold and beautiful” actor, comedian, director and commentator for the Oxygen Network and BET – returns to her hometown Chicago with the solo show “Fat Bitch!” This five-night only run is a funny yet thought-provoking look at how society’s obsession with weight, race and class have formed the way the world views her shape, and includes her interactions with men, from the boardroom to the bedroom. Written and performed by Watson as a hybrid of theatre and stand-up, “Fat Bitch!” explores how black women and their bodies have always been subjected to admiration and ridicule, and shares images of “Mammy” and “Hottentot Venus.” The production runs about 90 minutes without intermission, and is for ages 18 and up (some limited profanity in show).

Through personal vignettes, anecdotes and video clips, “Fat Bitch!” also offers a humorous and honest glimpse at the American “fat and sassy” black woman stereotype. How these media images have impacted Watson’s self-esteem are covered – from PETA’s recent “Save the Whales” billboard campaign aimed at overweight women, to the current national “war on obesity” and the recent controversy surrounding President Obama’s nomination of a plus-sized black woman for Surgeon General. Watson is a Columbia College Chicago graduate, with a BA in Film and TV (1998), and a MA in Media Management (2005).

Influenced by the quick wit of Whoopi Goldberg, the blunt comedic observations of Wanda Sykes, and the larger-than-life confidence of Mo’Nique, Watson (who is in the upcoming film “Precious” with Mo’Nique, as well as 2006’s “Dirty Laundry” with Loretta Devine) creates a universal point of view yet offers a new voice in comedy. “Fat Bitch!” has been workshopped at New York’s “The Tank;” first during the Black Comedy Experiment in March 2008, then in May 2009, and a pre-Chicago run from October 7-10, 2009.

“Fat Bitch!” is being produced by NBA champion, Charlotte Bobcats Center, and Chicago native Nazr Mohammed, who Watson has known since elementary school, when they lived next door in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood (blocks from President Obama’s house). Autographed sports memorabilia from Mohammed (to be announced later; likely to include apparel and Bulls/Bobcats tickets) will be raffled off at each of the five “Fat Bitch!” shows to benefit organizations dealing with young people and self-esteem.

PLUS MODEL MAGAZINE GAVE AWAY TWO PAIRS OF FREE TICKETS TO THE FIRST TWO PEOPLE THAT E-MAILED IN TO SEE “FAT BITCH” OPENING NIGHT IN CHICAGO!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS: LAUREN KOENIG AND TIFFANY JOHNSON!!!

Tickets are $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. Tickets can be purchased on-line here.

Visit Erica on-line at www.EricaWatson.com

Listen to Erica’s interview on PLUS Model Radio.

About Chenese Lewis, Host of PLUS Model Radio

Chenese Lewis is a sought after keynote speaker, expert commentator, and a positive body image and self-esteem advocate. She is the current President of the Hollywood Chapter of the National Organization for Women, the Ambassador of the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA), sits on the Celebrity Board of the non-profit organization Fed Up, Inc., and made history by being the first woman crowned Miss Plus America in 2003. Her unique story and prestigious career have been featured by countless media outlets such as Dr. Phil, The Insider, E! News, EXTRA, The National Examiner, iVillage, Figure Magazine and USA Today. Lewis is the creator and host of Hollywood NOW's "Love Your Body Day," an annual event where women of all sizes come together to celebrate a day of self-acceptance, to promote positive body image and to show that you don't have to be a size 0 to be beautiful. Her 2010 Love Your Body Campaign, where she posed nude with America's Next Top Model, Whitney Thompson, garnered international media attention and magnified her role as a leading positive body image advocate. As a plus size model, she has modeled for many companies including Torrid, Kmart, and served as the celebrity face for Sizeappeal. As a keynote speaker, she lectures at national workshops, seminars, and universities around the country including the University of California, Davis "Celebrate Your Body Week" and the commencement speaker at The Art Institute of California in Hollywood. Chenese's unique perspective as a plus size woman and role model enables her to connect to real women across the country. It's no wonder PLUS Model Magazine called her "A leader in the curvy revolution!" As an actress her work on B.E.T's hit show "Hell Date" showed her impeccable improvisational and comedic skills, which kept millions tuning in weekly. She also won rave reviews for her dramatic portrayal of Connie Williams, a larger than life professional baseball player in the NAACP Award winning play "The Girls of Summer" set in the 1940's. The Louisiana native is the Chief Creative Officer for Chenese Lewis Productions, LLC a media company established in 2007. She is the host of PLUS Model Radio, the #1 podcast for plus size women. She also was the executive producer for the 2008 Flawless Calendar, the very first of its kind, showcasing a wide variety of curvacious models all different ethnicities, shapes and sizes with high fashion editorial images. Chenese attributes her success by not conforming to society's ideals of beauty but rather showing by example that you can be beautiful and confident regardless of your size. Chenese Lewis is the epitome of the plus size woman.

MARCELO says:

November 12, 2009 at 11:01 am

hope that show comes to Brazil!!!!
)
madonna boyd says:

November 13, 2009 at 2:15 am

bring it to NC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
venus says:

November 18, 2009 at 12:42 am

I hope this show come to Detroit I would love to see it!!!
Fianlly a play that speaks to me , and address being full figured in this country