"Literary Death Match," which Interview Magazine is "helping to revitalize the coolitude of the printed word, returns to the UCLA Hammer Museum for its annual summer spectacular, 7:30- 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 21 in the Billy Wilder Theater.
The competitive, humor-centric event — launched in 2006 in New York and now an international series — will feature a reading/performance in seven minutes or less by four authors before a lively audience and a panel of three all-star judges who evaluate them on their literary merit, performance and "intangibles," as well as interjecting hilarious, off-the-wall commentary about each story.
Two finalists will be chosen to compete in the finale to determine who will take home the "Literary Death Match" crown.
Participants at the Hammer event include:
- Amelia Gray, author of the recently published “Gutshot”
- Jillian Lauren, bestselling author of "Some Girls"
- Liana Maeby, debut author of "South on Highland"
- Sarah Tomlinson, debut memoirist of "Good Girl"
Jerry Stahl, bestselling author of “Permanent Midnight," “I,” “Fatty" and, most recently, “OG Dad,” will serve as a judge. Attendees can expect a live performance by another judge, Jon Cryer — actor in “Two and a Half Men” and “Pretty in Pink” and author of “So That Happened.”
"Literary Death Match" is free and open to the public, but tickets are required and available at the Hammer Museum box office one hour before the program. One ticket per person; first-come, first-served. Early arrival is recommended. Hammer members receive priority ticketing and can choose their seats, subject to availability. For more information, see this Hammer Museum webpage, where you'll also find a link for live-streaming the event if you can't attend.
