Past Productions

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CLOSED Oct. 2, 2013: “Siren’s Heart: The Marilyn Monroe Musical”

“Siren’s Heart: : The Marilyn Monroe Musical” by Walt Stepp opened  at Actors Temple Theatre on August 5, 2012 and closed on October 2, 2012 . It was directed by Lissa Moira and starred Louis Bradshaw.

About the play: “Siren’s Heart is not the familiar victim narrative about Marilyn Monroe. She is still a living icon in the hearts and minds of millions, but in her own time, Norma Jean was suffocated by the mask of Marilyn & the weight of living up to that impossible ideal of beauty, crushed her. Siren’s Heart, imagines another place where we see Marilyn, or Norma Jean, as she might have been; as she wanted to be: the well-rounded, unhaunted person she couldn’t be in her all-too-brief life.”

Sirens Poster Image

“Louisa Bradshaw is riveting! Her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe, frozen in time, excites as I’ve rarely seen happen on stage. Lissa Moira’s direction & dramaturgy are stunning. It perfectly captures the thoughts of playwright Walt Stepp, on a side of Marilyn never expressed before.” – Joe Franklin, Bloomberg Radio

“The great success of the show is that Louisa Bradshaw presents Monroe as a rather ordinary woman who just cannot figure out why she became so famous. She looks at her from the outside & sees a plain & troubled woman hurled into a worldwide stardom that she could not handle.”– Bruce Chadwick, History News Network

“In Walt Stepp’s Siren’s Heart we witness a provocative, intelligent, soul-searching woman. Louisa Bradshaw gives a tour-de-force performance… she does not attempt to impersonate Marilyn; she embodies Norma Jean & shares her life with us. Lissa Moira directs with verve & purpose!”– Bill Bradford, Hi! Drama

“Caldi applausi a tutti!”
– Mario Fratti, Oggi

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CLOSED July 20, 2013: “Rain Pryor’s Fried Chicken and Latkes”

“Rain Pryor’s Fried Chicken and Latkes” starred Rain Pryor and was produced by Edmund Gaynes in Association with Daryl Sledge/Mother’s Boy LLC.  Fried Chicken & Latkes  first preview date was July 21, 2012  and opened officially on August 6, 2012  at the Actors Temple Theatre .  It CLOSED on July 20, 2013. ( for information on future bookings please contact Gaynes Theatrical Booking )

About the Play: Fried Chicken & Latkes, written and conceived by Rain Pryor, is a hero’s journey from the standpoint of a person born into a world of “Us vs. Them” – but not quite an “us” and not quite a “them”. Told through heavy characterization and a few songs, the story takes us on a journey of racial identity, family, spiritual growth and love. She gives us a glimpse into the universe that was her childhood and is her life, morphing effortlessly, into the people around her, we all end up completely identifying with her story.

Rain Pryor grew up Black and Jewish in Beverly Hills. The year was 1969, the year was of shout and protest against mans inhumane spirit. Through hate, racism, fear, loss and love – Rain dives into her search for heritage and meaning by “becoming” her grandmother Bernice – discussing everything from her shana madel’s marriage to the black comedian Richard Pryor, to the fact that Jews have been Jews for six thousand seven hundred and sixty six year. She equally inhabits her other grandmother, Mamma – discussing “niggers”, white folk, and running a whore house in Peoria, IL, : these were two cultures that helped her to triumph over racial lines and stereotypes. Rain’s father, legendary actor/comedian, Richard Pryor, gave her a sharp sense of timing and character. Her mother imbued her life with political consciousness to stand up for what you believe in! Fried Chicken & Latkes, teaches us that living an authentic life is not about “where do I stand”- it’s about “ Here, I stand.” It will take you back in time and move you forward making you laugh, think and cry. [CLOSED]