Actress/Activist Mimi Kennedy to Speak at Rochester Premiere of “In the Loop”

On Friday, August 28th at 6:30 PM, please join Progressive Democrats of America Genesee Valley at The Little Theatre, for the Rochester premiere of the critically-acclaimed political comedy, In the Loop. The screening will be followed by a discussion with Rochester native and PDA Advisory Board Co-chair, Mimi Kennedy, who co-stars in the film

Rochester, NY – On August 28, 2009, The Progressive Democrats of Genesee Valley Foundation, Inc. will host The Little Theatre’s talkback with Rochester-born Actress and Activist , Mimi Kennedy, following the 6:30 PM Rochester premiere of In the Loop. Filmmaker Armando Iannucci’s In the Loop is a political satire in the tradition of Wag the Dog and Dr. Strangelove, that explores the absurdity of political posturing at the highest levels. The film will run at The Little August 28-September 3, 2009.

In the Loop navigates a rollicking and irreverent series of miscues and maneuverings that set the United States and the United Kingdom on the path to war in the Middle East. In the film, a hapless British government minister (Tom Hollander) inadvertently suggests support for United States military action in the Middle East. The mishap eventually lands him and his communications director (Peter Capaldi) in the United States, and in the midst of a power play between hawkish forces in the US government and those who favor restraint. The daunting task of trying to avert the seemingly inevitable march to war falls to the joint forces of a war-weary US General (James Galdofini) and the US Assistant Secretary of Diplomacy (Mimi Kennedy). Add to the hijinks the antics of a British spin doctor (Chris Addison) and his pursuit of a young Washington intern (Anna Chlumsky), and you have a British comedy drawing comparisons to the rapier wit of Monty Python.

Mimi Kennedy likens In the Loop to Shakespearean political commentary, where instead of directly criticizing the powerful, the playwright instead “devised relationship comedies, using historical plays as a way to show English people their own culture and relate it to the present.” Robin Wilt, chapter leader of Progressive Democrats of America, agrees that the film represents an important tool for reflection on the policies and politics that propagandize war.

A Rochester native, Mimi Kennedy is an actor and activist whose notable roles include her portrayal of Abby O'Neil in the television series “Dharma & Greg.” She has worked on human rights, environmental, and labor issues, and currently chairs the Advisory Board of Progressive Democrats of America. In addition to her most recent work on the critically-acclaimed film In the Loop, she has been tirelessly traveling the country in support of single payer health care reform.

The Little Theatre has partnered with the Genesee Valley Chapter of Progressive Democrats of America as part of this event. A talkback with Bob Russell and Progressive Democrats of America co-chair, Mimi Kennedy will follow the film screening.

Progressive Democrats of America is one of the nation's fastest-growing grassroots political organizations; it has active chapters in 45 states. PDA is dedicated to reviving the progressive tradition of the Democratic Party through grassroots organizing and working with elected Democrats to advance peace, economic and social justice, and environmental responsibility. More information is available at: http://pdamerica.org.