FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Seanna Hore, Ginsberg/Libby
seanna.hore@ginsberglibby.com

Gladys Santos, Ginsberg/Libby
gladys.santos@ginsberglibby.com
 

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 23, 2024) — Party on, dudes! Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and Film Independent Presents – a year-round program offering screenings, conversations and other unique cinematic experiences – has partnered with the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and MUBI to present a Live Read of Wayne’s World. Grab your favorite flannel and “schwing!” on over to Wayne and Garth’s party basement, because Film Independent is rocking out with an excellent new take on this classic comedy.

Actor, writer and director Zoe Lister-Jones (SLIP, Band Aid, New Girl, How It Ends, Beau Is Afraid) will direct this crowd-pleasing blast from the past, from writers Mike Myers, Bonnie Turner and Terry Turner, and director Penelope Spheeris. Guests will experience one of cinema’s most memorable metalhead duos, enjoy epic music moments, and catchphrases galore at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts’ Bram Goldsmith Theater on Wednesday, June 11 – reinvented by a cast of outstanding actors. Confirmed performers include Abbi Jacobson, Kate Berlant, Nicole Byer, Robby Hoffman and Poppy Liu, with more names to be announced. Music by Miya Folick featuring Amelia Randall Meath (Sylvan Esso).

“I’m so thrilled to bring Wayne’s World to life with a cast of women, queer, and non-binary actors. It’s an iconic film that was so ahead of its time on so many levels. And now, thanks to Film Independent, it parties on,” said Zoe Lister-Jones.

“Prepare to experience Wayne’s World like never before, with a totally excellent cast guided by the brilliant mind of Zoe Lister-Jones. We’re not worthy!” Said Rachel Bleemer, Director of Programming and Events for Film Independent.

Zoe Lister-Jones is the writer, director, producer and star of the television series SLIP, which was recently nominated for two Film Independent Spirit Awards for Best New Scripted Series and Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series. She co-wrote, co-directed and starred in How It Ends, opposite Cailee Spaeny, Helen Hunt and Olivia Wilde (Sundance 2021). She made her directorial debut with the Sundance hit Band Aid, which she made with an entirely female crew and was the writer, producer and star. Additionally, Lister-Jones stars in Ari Aster’s Beau Is Afraid for A24 and Zach Braff’s A Good Person. On television, she starred in CBS’s Life in Pieces and as Fawn Moscato on New Girl. On Broadway, she has appeared in Seminar opposite Jeff Goldblum, and The Little Dog Laughed, a role which she originated off-Broadway at NY’s Second Stage Theater. She also starred in The Roundabout’s The Marriage of Bette and Boo, and in her one-woman show, Codependence Is a Four Letter Word, which she wrote, produced, starred in and was a NY Times Critics Pick.

Abbi Jacobson is a writer, producer, actor, comedian, and illustrator. Best known for A League of Their Own and Broad City, both of which she co-created and starred in. Nicole Byer is one of the most versatile voices in the comedy landscape today. An actress, comedian, writer, author and podcaster, she is perhaps most well-known as the host of Netflix’s Emmy-nominated competition baking series Nailed It! Kate Berlant is an actress, stand-up comedian, and writer who was recently profiled by The New York Times as a “magnetic improvisational comic,” at the forefront of experimental comedy. Poppy Liu is best known for her role as Kiki in the critically-acclaimed Max series Hacks, for which she was SAG-nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Robby Hoffman is an Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian. She recorded her debut Just for Laughs comedy special, I’m Nervous on Crave, and can currently be seen as the breakout star of Netflix’s Verified, their new selection of next generation stand-up comedians. Miya Folick is an American singer-songwriter and musician based in Los Angeles. She released her first EP, Strange Darling, in May 2015. She is half Japanese and half Russian, and was raised as a Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist, learning to play the taiko drums in a church group. Amelia Meath is a Durham, North Carolina-based artist, musician, producer and actor who releases music through a number of projects: as one half of GRAMMY-nominated duo Sylvan Esso; with freak-folk duo The A’s; and as member of beloved acoustic-folk trio Mountain Man. Her other musical collaborations include work with Local Natives, Hand Habits, Blake Mills, Flock of Dimes and more.

Past Live Read guest directors and their chosen scripts include Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall), Marlee Matlin (Sunset Boulevard), Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body), Ruben Östlund (Triangle of Sadness), Ben Schwartz (Back to the Future), Quentin Tarantino (The Hateful Eight), Olivia Wilde (Hannah and Her Sisters) and Marvin Lemus (L.A. Story), among others.

Previous Live Read guests include Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Riley Keough (Under the Bridge), Nicholas Braun (Succession), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso), Troy Kotsur (CODA), Alison Brie (Apples Never Fall), Simona Tabasco (The White Lotus), Tessa Thompson (Creed III), Taika Waititi (Thor: Love and Thunder), Steven Yeun (Nope), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Maya Erskine (Mr. and Mrs. Smith) and many more.

Discounted tickets for Wallis subscribers and Film Independent Members will go on sale Friday, May 24 at 12:00 pm PT, and will be available to the public starting Tuesday, May 28 at 12:00 pm PT. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 310-746-4000 or visit thewallis.org.

Film Independent Presents is supported year-round by Lead Sponsor The Golden Globe Foundation. Additional support for this special event at the Wallis is provided by MUBI. Special Thanks to Paramount Pictures for making this event possible.
 

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

For over 40 years, Film Independent has helped filmmakers get their projects made and seen. The nonprofit organization’s core mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling in all its forms, and to foster a culture of inclusion. We support a global community of artists and audiences who embody diversity, innovation, curiosity and uniqueness of vision.

In addition to producing the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the organization supports creative professionals with Artist Development programs, grants and labs. Signature mentorship program Project Involve fosters the careers of talented filmmakers from underrepresented communities. Education events and workshops equip filmmakers of all ages and experience levels with tools and resources. Global Media Makers, a cultural exchange program produced in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, provides career-building opportunities for international film professionals. And year-round screening series Film Independent Presents offers a robust program of unique cinematic experiences, including screenings, conversations, Live Reads and Bring the Noise musical events.

For more information or to become a Member, visit filmindependent.org.
 

About the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is a dynamic cultural hub and community resource where local, national and international artists share their artistry with ever-expanding audiences. The campus, located in the heart of Beverly Hills, CA, is committed to robust and distinctive presentations and education programs curated with both creativity and social impact in mind. Distinguished by its eclectic programming that mirrors the diverse landscape of Los Angeles and its location in the entertainment capital of the world, the Wallis has produced and presented more than 350 theater, dance, music, film, cabaret, conversation, and family entertainment programs since its doors opened in October 2013. Hailed as “au courant” (LaLa Magazine), the Wallis was lauded by Culture Vulture, which proclaims, “if you love expecting the unexpected in the performing arts, you have to love the Wallis.” Its programming has been nominated for 79 Ovation Awards and nine L.A. Drama Critic’s Circle Awards. The campus itself, a breathtaking 70,000-square-foot facility, celebrating the classic and the modern, has garnered six architectural awards. Designed by acclaimed architect Zoltan E. Pali (SPF:architects), the restored building features the original 1933 Beverly Hills Post Office (on the National Register of Historic Places), which serves as the theater’s dramatic yet welcoming lobby, and includes the contemporary 500-seat, state-of-the-art Bram Goldsmith Theater; the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater; an inviting open-air plaza for family, community and other performances; and GRoW @ the Wallis: A Space for Arts Education, where learning opportunities for all ages and backgrounds abound. Together, these elements embrace the city’s history and its future, creating a performing arts destination for L.A.-area visitors and residents alike. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is led by Chairman of the Board Michael Nemeroff and Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Robert van Leer.
 

About MUBI

MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI creates, curates, acquires and champions visionary films, bringing them to audiences all over the world.

MUBI is a place to discover ambitious films, from both iconic directors and emerging auteurs. All carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators. With MUBI GO, members in select countries can get a free ticket every week to see the best new films in cinemas. And Notebook explores all sides of cinema culture — both in print and online.

Some recent and upcoming MUBI Releases include: Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, Ira Sachs’ Passages, Pedro Almodóvar’s Strange Way of Life, Molly Manning Walker’s How to Have Sex, Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves, Kevin Macdonald’s documentary High & Low — John Galliano, Rodrigo Moreno’s The Delinquents, Felipe Gálvez’s The Settlers, Aftersun from Charlotte Wells, Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave, Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World, Lukas Dhont’s Close, and Céline Sciamma’s Petite Maman.

MUBI Productions include Karim Aïnouz’s Rosebushpruning starring Kristen Stewart, Josh O’Connor and Elle Fanning; Christopher Andrews’ Bring Them Down starring Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan; Elizabeth Sankey’s Witches; Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross’ Gasoline Rainbow; and Zia Anger’s My First Film starring Odessa Young and Devon Ross. MUBI Co-productions include Michel Franco’s Memory starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard; Mia Hansen-Løve’s One Fine Morning starring Léa Seydoux; Ekwa Msangi’s Sundance prize-winner Farewell Amor and Rachel Lang’s Our Men.

Founded in 2007 by Efe Cakarel, MUBI is the biggest community of film lovers, anywhere. Available across 190 countries, with more than 16 million members around the world. MUBI acquired renowned sales agent and production company The Match Factory and Match Factory Productions in January 2022, and a majority stake in leading Benelux film distributor Cinéart in February 2024.