">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Fear a high school reunion? Hire a stripper
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Asia Pacific
World
Search
Search:
Fear a high school reunion? Hire a stripper
Reuters - 2 hours 27 minutes ago
By Bob Tourtellotte
ADVERTISEMENT
LOS ANGELES - Comedy writer Andrea Wachner hated the idea of going to her 10-year high school reunion so much that she hired a stripper to go instead, and what followed, she says, was a comical study in human nature.
Her story is detailed in a nearly 40-minute documentary directed by Wachner that, because of issues surrounding its length and getting approval to show it from former classmates, may never be seen -- not even by her parents.
But the 31-year-old Los Angeles resident said on Friday she hopes it will someday and even if not, Hollywood already has come knocking on her door.
She has written a feature film script based on her story, is trying to sell a reality TV show from it, has appeared on cable news channel CNN, and is scheduled to be on ABC's morning chat show "Good Morning America" next week.
"I've been so lucky throughout this whole experience. Everything that could go wrong, went right," she told Reuters. "I love the way it all turned out."
But some of her classmates don't.
"There have been a few people that were pretty vitriolic, and I have received some angry letters," she said.
In 1995, Wachner graduated from Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in an upscale Los Angeles-area neighborhood and never looked back. She left for New York City, where she attended New York University, graduating in 2000.
When she received the invitation to attend her 10-year reunion, she said she would not have dreamed of going because she hated her years at the school, where BMW and Mercedes-Benz cars were prized possessions.
DRINKING, DRAMA AND DANCE
She claims that at school, fellow students' drinking alcohol was a problem and eating disorders were common. She said academic competition was tight and the overall environment was "a pressure cooker."
Wachner didn't want to go back to all that, but she did want to see how people would react if the self-described "drama geek" showed up a changed woman -- a stripper, no less.
So, she hired Amy Bernadette "Cricket" Russell, whom she met at a Los Angeles strip club, to impersonate her. Cricket showed up in a slinky dress, fishnet hose and spike heels.
As the drinks flowed, Cricket's clothes came off, and Wachner watched from a hotel room above the event, linked to her impersonator via wireless radio, TV cameras and a monitor.
Wachner coached Cricket through the night, telling her the names of people she met and providing her with little secrets that only Wachner and her former classmates would know.
Judging from the film's promotional trailer, which can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbRuKbOSqao, a few people may have been fooled and a few were not. Andrea -- make that Cricket -- got one invitation for a private performance.
Wachner said she did not set out to embarrass or make fun of classmates. Rather, she wanted to see how they would react if their old stereotype of Wachner as a "drama geek" was turned upside down, when she emerged from the cocoon of high school as an uninhibited artist and exotic dancer.
"I love taking things that exist in the world as given -- things that are mainstream, notions that people take for granted -- and making people re-think them," she said.
While she may not be as big a name as Web sensation Susan Boyle, who skyrocketed to fame this month after a video of her appearance on "Britain's Got Talent" went viral online, Wachner is nevertheless overjoyed with the outcome.
And why not? Palos Verdes Peninsula High is a distant memory, and now Hollywood beckons.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
0 users recommend
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle
Fear a high school reunion? Hire a stripperReuters - 2 hours 27 minutes ago
Newspaper columnist takes stage in "The Soloist"Reuters - 2 hours 40 minutes ago
Guests for the Sunday TV news showsAP - Sunday, April 26
Rob Thomas readies new albumReuters - Saturday, April 25
"Gossip Girl" star Meester signs record dealReuters - Saturday, April 25
Enlarge Photo
Andrea Wachner, a television comedy writer and aspiring filmmaker, who hired a stripper to impersonate her at her 10-year high school reunion, is shown in this undated publicity photograph.
Most Popular – Entertainment
Viewed
Charred meat linked to pancreatic cancer risk
Downturn hits Elton John, Paul McCartney
Albino buffalo a first for Kenya
Fertility doctor on brink of cloning human: report
Ford sees light at end of tunnel
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 25 April 2009 U.S. weighs Zimbabwe reform pace, no aid yet
| International
|
Poor countries pushed into danger zone: World Bank
| International
|
U.N. council to Sri Lanka: Let U.N. into conflict zone
| International
|
Two die in new violence in Madagascar capital: reports
| International
|
NATO extends anti-piracy mission off Somalia
| International
|
Conficker virus begins to attack PCs: experts
| Technology
|
Facebook surfing while sick costs Swiss woman job
| Technology
|
Blagojevich still hopes for a part in TV show
| Entertainment
|
Meryl Streep to be honored at Rome film festival
| Entertainment
|
Cyndi Lauper shares screen with husband
| Entertainment
|
Cocteau memorabilia up for auction in Paris
| Entertainment
|
Beyonce says definitely wants Broadway role
| Entertainment
|
Clinton makes surprise visit to Iraq
Female suicide attackers kill 58 near Baghdad shrine
U.N. council to Sri Lanka: Let U.N. into conflict zone
| International
|
60 killed in double bombing at Iraqi shrine
US stars rake in funds for fight on malaria
India presses for Sri Lanka truce as casualties rise
| International
|
Sixty die in Iraq shrine attack
Chrysler reaches agreement with Canada union workers
Canadian soldier found dead in Afghanistan
Group of Seven sees crisis begin to unwind by year-end
Baghdad shrine attack kills 55
Economic activity to pick up this year: G7
Major attacks in Iraq since Jan. 1
'Gaps' remain as G8-led climate talks move towards global pact
Ford sees light at end of tunnel
Tsunami aid often bypassed conflict victims: report
| International
|
Albino buffalo a first for Kenya
U.N. committee puts 3 North Korea firms on blacklist
| International
|
New momentum for global climate pact despite 'gaps'
Gore pleads for unity on climate, despite divide
'Gaps' remain as G8-led climate talks move towards global pact
Dalai Lama: Economic crisis teaches money's limits
Concern grows in Mexico, US over killer flu
Murder brings scrutiny to fast-growing Craigslist
Microsoft to release version of Windows 7 next week
| Technology
|
Northern Mariana Islands official convicted
Twitter a global sensation: Hitwise
Lost laptops cost companies dearly: study
Plane diverted to Boston after man rushes cockpit
Cell phone vital, air conditioning not so much
| Technology
|
Latin American banks look to mobiles to battle crisis
Murder brings scrutiny to fast-growing Craigslist
| Technology
|
US military told torture yields 'unreliable' info
Cell phone vital, air conditioning not so much
DVD software backups challenged in U.S. court
| Technology
|
EU's Barroso says he has Sarkozy's support to stay
NYC Heath Department: 75 kids sickened at 1 school
Facebook democracy debuts to low voter turnout
NYC house explosion shakes block; 1 dead, 6 hurt
Medvedev sacks military intelligence chief
Former Facebook executive named MySpace CEO
Penniless German couple abandoned their children
Finance leaders want cooperation to end recession
Finland allocates new 4G mobile frequencies
Estonia plans broadband for all by 2015: report
BULLETIN KILL
Facebook surfing while sick costs Swiss woman job
Lost laptops cost companies dearly: study
Bus-truck crash in China's southwest kills 18
Wounded Thai protest leader discharged
UN humanitarian chief to press Sri Lanka on civilians
Chronology of NKorea's nuclear, missile programs
Simon Cowell to Susan Boyle: Get yourself together
| Entertainment
|
Taliban withdraw from Pakistan's Buner: officials
Fox faces uncertainty over fate of Idol judges
| Entertainment
|
US aid threatened by missile range row: ambassador
Taiwan envoy heads to China for talks
NKorea restarts nuclear programme
Thai 'Yellow Shirt' protest founder leaves hospital
HK university students oust union president
Forbes names Madonna Hollywood's hardest working mom
Japanese banks Shinsei, Aozora in merger talks
Forbes names Madonna Hollywood's hardest working mom
| Entertainment
|
MSFG wins priority in talks to buy Nikko
Pakistani c.bank buys 32.75 bln rupees of T-bills
China bans foreign firms from express mail market
Reports: Sumitomo likely to buy Japan Citigroup
'Quiet' Copenhagen cracks down on deadly gang war
China Construction Bank 1Q profit down 18 percent
Torrent of bitterness on the Turkey-Armenia border
G7 hails China's crisis actions, pledges support
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
China buys half interest in Kazakh energy company
"Gossip Girl" star Meester signs record deal
World finance chiefs discuss crisis amid recovery signs
'Lost' actor and ABC face sex harassment claim
Toshiba says to cut British jobs, focus on Poland
Late night TV host Jay Leno released from hospital
| Entertainment
|
Rihanna seeking return of pricey jewelry
Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp to tour
| Entertainment
|
'Secret' Stone lawsuit was routine fees matter
Rob Thomas readies new album
| Entertainment
|
Nas says Grammy nod shows he's on right track
Page Not Found |
Simon Cowell to Susan Boyle: "Get yourself together"
Americans battle their bulge on TV dance show
| Entertainment
|
Fox faces uncertainty over fate of "Idol" judges
DVD software backups challenged in U.S. court
| Entertainment
|
Iran hits at U.S., Clinton sees progress in Iraq
| International
|
3 arrested in Lebanon on Israel spy charges
North Korea begins extracting plutonium
| International
|
Triple suicide attack kills five Afghan police
Flux in Pakistani valley after Taliban retreat
| International
|
Toyota's Trulli on pole for Bahrain Grand Prix
5 Palestinians injured in West Bank clash
South Africa's ANC wins huge poll victory
| International
|
Turkey objects to Obama's view of Armenian killings
| International
|
No going back on Zimbabwe unity government: Tsvangirai
| International
|
India says Pakistan still aiding Kashmir rebels
| International
|
U.N. dispatches top humanitarian to Sri Lanka
| International
|
Thaksin red shirts gather again in Bangkok
| International
|
Drilling drives a wedge at climate change summit
Somali pirates seize German vessel, crew unhurt
| International
|
Protesters, police clash near IMF meetings in DC
WHO chief calls swine flu outbreak 'serious'
Obama: Give me ideas on tightening federal belt
Quotes from Obama's first 100 days
Key events in Obama's first 100 days
100 days of Obama: Energy aplenty, no miracles
A glance at states covered by Voting Rights Act
High court test for voting rights in Texas case
Independent streak flashed by newest Democrats
Clinton says US will back Iraq after troop pullout
Thai protesters hold new rally in Bangkok
India says Pakistan helped Kashmir rebels
Fear a high school reunion? Hire a stripper
| Entertainment
|
UN humanitarian chief to press Sri Lanka
Thaksin "red shirts" gather again in Bangkok
Asia protests, Beijing quiet on Falungong anniversary
India says Pakistan still aiding Kashmir rebels
A look at North Korea's nuclear program
Profit at top Chinese state firms down 42 percent
Asia takes precautions after swine flu outbreak
North Korea begins extracting plutonium
Newspaper columnist takes stage in The Soloist
| Entertainment
|
UN humanitarian chief: Sri Lanka situation 'dire'
Fear a high school reunion? Hire a stripper
Newspaper columnist takes stage in "The Soloist"
Guests for the Sunday TV news shows
Rob Thomas readies new album
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights