Comedy Fights Malaria

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Mar 08, 2011, 11:29 ET

Malaria No More Presents: Hollywood Bites Back! Featuring Conan O'Brien, Elizabeth Banks, B.J. Novak, David Arquette and more on April 16th in Los Angeles

Tickets Available through Ticketmaster

NEW YORK, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Some of today's hottest stars from television, film and music will take the stage at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on April 16th at 7:30 p.m. for Hollywood Bites Back!, a night of comedy to benefit the nonprofit Malaria No More.

Conan O'Brien, Elizabeth Banks, B.J. Novak, and David Arquette are among the many comedians, musicians and public figures performing stand-up, sketches and musical acts.

"I am honored to have been asked to take part in this important event. I just hope that we can find a better cure for malaria than comedy," said Conan O'Brien.

Hollywood Bites Back! is an extension of the Comedy Fights Malaria campaign, launched in October 2010, in which 25 celebrities including John Mayer, Orlando Bloom, Elizabeth Banks, Ed Helms, B.J. Novak, Josh Groban, Lake Bell, Ellie Kemper, Ted Danson, Jeremy Piven, and many others created comedy-driven viral and broadcast PSAs as a brand new approach to end an age-old health issue. The campaign also includes comedic digital shorts of Ed Helms, Nick Kroll, Paul Sheer, Riki Lindhome and Nastasha Leggero from their summer 2010 trip to Senegal with Malaria No More.

Although malaria was eradicated in the United States 60 years ago, many Americans do not know that this preventable and treatable disease continues to claim the lives of 781,000 people every year—most of them, children under the age of five in Africa.

"Malaria is no laughing matter, but we're always looking for new and unexpected ways to shine a spotlight on the issue," said Peter Chernin, Chairman and Co-Founder of Malaria No More. "We're lucky to have some of the best in the comedy business come together for Hollywood Bites Back! in support of our efforts to ensure that no child dies of this preventable and treatable disease."

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at 800-745-3000, in addition to the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE box office in Los Angeles. Tickets will begin at $10.00 for general seating. All proceeds will benefit Malaria No More's work to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.

Malaria No More is also teaming up with Tickets-for-Charity® to offer an incredible VIP experience at this star-studded event with premium seating and exclusive access to the post-show Cast Party to mix and mingle with performers and enjoy complimentary bar and catering by Wolfgang Puck. VIP guests will also receive a limited edition Hollywood Bites Back! program book and a commemorative event ticket with each package – all to benefit Malaria No More. VIP packages are now available at www.ticketsforcharity.com.

Charlie Haykel (Don Mischer Productions), Nicky Weinstock (Chernin Entertainment), B.J. Novak, Ed Helms, and Michael Price (Price Management) are leading the Hollywood Bites Back! steering committee. HBO has signed on as the major sponsor for the evening and the STAPLES Center Foundation is donating the use of the NOKIA Theater for the event.

About Malaria No More

Malaria No More is determined to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015 — and we're helping the world get it done. Malaria No More leverages high-impact awareness campaigns to engage the world, global advocacy to rally leadership and strategic investments in Africa to accelerate progress. For more information, visit www.MalariaNoMore.org, read our Buzzwords blog, fan our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.