A masterful study of a powerful woman
Dietrich, written by Willard Manus, accompanied by Russell Daisey and starring Cindy Marinangel, Dietrich is a based on a true story. Set in May 1960, the play takes place when the actress returned to the Berlin stage for the first time since fleeing the Hitler regime in the 1930’s. Inside her dressing room at the Tatiana Palast Theater, Dietrich weighs whether to go through with the live performance despite threats on her life by Nazi sympathizers who resented her for having spent much of World War II entertaining American soldiers on the front lines. To them, Dietrich is a turncoat; a traitor who deserves to be shot and killed on stage.
Dietrich (formerly known as Marlene) celebrated its world premiere at the Brickhouse Theatre in Los Angeles (produced by John Lant), debuted in New York at the Hudson Guild Theatre in the New York Theatre Festival’s annual Winterfest, was chosen as a finalist at the storied New York New Works Theater Festival, and had a limited special engagement Off-Broadway at the Triad Theater. |
BROUGHT TO life BY...
Marlene dietrich / ProducerCindy Marinangel
![]() Cindy Marinangel is a Lifetime Member of The Actors Studio and a graduate of the Chicago Second City Conservatory.
She has originated thirteen roles on stage and is the owner of Angel Baker Productions, which produced the award winning short film Eternal Waltz (EternalWaltzFilm.net). Marinangel is a voice over talent, ballroom dancer and avid animal rights advocate. She was recently seen in Beverly Hills Christmas, a holiday film starring actor Dean Cain that airs seasonally on UPtv. For more information, visit cindymarinangel.com. pianistRussell Daisey
![]() Russell Daisey is an internationally acclaimed pianist, singer and songwriter. He's performed at The First Hiroshima International Peace Summit (onstage with HH the Dalai Lama); the Palais des Congres in Paris; and for President Bill Clinton, Secretary Hillary Clinton, as well as Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, Elie Wiesel, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Betty Williams.
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writerWillard Manus
![]() Willard Manus is a playwright, journalist and novelist. He is a member of the playwrights/director’s unit of The Actors Studio. His most recent plays are Joe and Marilyn: A Love Story, Frank and Ava (now a motion picture) and Who Killed Comrade Rabbit?”
You can hear Mr. Manus discuss his process and journey to creating Dietrich in this fascinating interview with Co-Producer Paul Sladkus. |
PRODUCED BY
Dietrich is supported by a world renowned team of producers and collaborators!
dr. judy kurianskyexecutive producer“Dr. Judy” as she is popularly called by her millions of fans for her years of wise advice on radio, TV, print and the internet, is a philanthropist, humanitarian, academician and mental health advocate.
An award-winning journalist, reporter and producer on electronic media and print journalist, she has been a columnist for the Singapore Straits Times, the South China Morning Post and New York Newsday; hosted the top rated radio show “LovePhones” and hosted the “Money and Emotions” television show on CNBC-TV. She appears as an expert on many international news programs and has been featured in Rolling Stone, Cosmo and People. Once a bass player in an all-woman rock band, Dr. Judy has hosted many rock concerts, and interviewed rock stars about love and sex, from Sting to Steven Tyler to Bush, No Doubt, and Courtney Love. You can always find more Dr. Judy at drjudy.com. |
ERROL rappaportCO-PRODUCERErrol Rappaport advises and helps brand companies, charities, entertainment and non-profits around the world.
Errol donates his time and resources to causes about which he deeply believes. Errol has become one of the National Meningitis Association’s leading supporters and was recently honored with the Nancy Ford Springer Inspiration Award by the NMA for his long-time support. He produced Polo charities events at the Will Rogers Polo Club, Los Angeles, as well as cultivating strategic community relations for Charles Cohen, at the Pacific Design Center. He is currently working on his first documentary titled “I Am Rappaport.” |
PAUL SLADKUSCO-PRODUCERPaul Sladkus has been in the communications industry for over 40 years. A musician, TV executive and producer, he has worked on over 150 Network TV Shows for CBS and PBS, including All in the Family, Sonny and Cher, Carol Burnett, Love of Life and the Nature and Brain series on PBS.
Paul started his own company in 1985 which became a leading multicultural marketing, advertising and production organization, clients like Citibank, Delta, IBM, Sprint, Western Union and US Postal Service. In 1998 Paul created Good News Broadcast, an early web series that, 5,000 shows later, is still committed to its mission of sharing life-affirming content. Paul and Dietrich playwright Willard Manus discuss the creation of the play on Paul's latest episode. |
a triumphant return to the triad theater!
"Ms. Marinangel’s performance is amazing – defiant, tender, erotic and historically detailed. She transforms herself into a no-holds-barred Dietrich, who regrets nothing – and reveals everything..." - Dr. Sue Horowitz, DrSue.com
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"Marinangel embodies the legend known as Marlene Dietrich....[her] sultry performance brings this bi-sexual woman who often preferred women to men, to life. She brings out the coldness and vulnerability in equal measures... Your eyes are dawn to Marinangel, who embodies that “it” factor illusive quality, just as Marlene did." - Susana Bowling, Times Square Chronicles
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A FINALIST AT THE NEW YORK NEW WORKS THEATRE FESTIVAL!
“Ms. Marinangel is a powerful beauty in her own right, who skillfully draws us into Dietrich’s world with a smart sexiness as much her own as Dietrich’s. This looks like a show which should go somewhere, with a charismatic star you don’t want to miss.”
Jeffrey Lyle Segal, t2conline.com
CRITICS LOVED DIETRICH AT THE TRIAD THEATRE
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"...Cindy Marinangel gave a dazzling solo performance as the iconic Marlene Dietrich... a seamless blend of character and performer, making it all but impossible to tell where Dietrich ends and Marinangel begins. Elegant, assured, and bursting with passion, she's not just a diva -- she's a heroine." Erin Kahn, Stage Buddy
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a hit at the winterfest festival!
"Cindy Marinangel brings both an actor’s and an improviser’s sensibility to her portrayal...Dressed in a partially open silk robe with stockings and a garter belt, through Ms. Marinangel we feel Marlene’s sexuality and psychological foibles. The songs, such as the iconic, “Falling In Love Again,” — with skillful accompaniment by Russell Daisey — were so marvelous that even more would be a welcome addition." -- Casey Curtis, Front Row Center, thefrontrowcenter.com/2018/03/marlene/ |
"Marlene is a portrait of Marlene Dietrich that is compelling, informative, enlightening and altogether entertaining. Marlene is embodied by Cindy Marinangel, who is alone onstage for the entire 80 minutes of the work, yet we never tire of her." -- Beatrice Williams-Rude, Theater Pizzaz, theaterpizzazz.com/marlene/ |
WORLD PREMIERE WOWS LOS ANGELES
"Cindy Marinangel amazes as legendary German-born actress Marlene Dietrich... Marinangel, the star of this new solo play... superbly captures the multi-faceted character of the Hollywood diva while never appearing just a flat imitation of Marlene. Instead she truly immerses herself completely into the character of Marlene Dietrich. Marinangel’s excellent performance made me catch myself many times thinking that I was watching the 'real' Marlene." |
"Cindy Marinangel IS Marlene Dietrich in 'Marlene'... Marinangel captures the essence of the German actress/chanteuse...(it's) impossible to take your eyes off of this captivating character who moves about the stage with elegance and sexuality, expressing a range of emotions from fear to regret." |
"Cindy Marinangel completely embodies the spirit of Marlene Dietrich...Marinangel draws the audience into Dietrich’s world, filled with vulnerability and fear... Marinangel is Marlene Dietrich. She disappears into her character, taking the audience on a ride through the psyche of the famous actress." -- Nora Davis (T2conline.com) | http://t2conline.com/meet-the-actress-of-winterfest-cindy-marinangel-is-marlene/ |
PRESS KIT
For press inquiries, contact:
Maggie O’Brien Maggie O’Brien Media 213-328-9135 Maggie@maggieobrienmedia.com |
Photos courtesy of:
Sylvia Hoke (Color) sylviahokephotography.com Robert Farber (Black & White) farber.com |
connect with the dietrich team
Cindy Marinangel and the Dietrich team are seeking angel investors and national/international bookings. Please contact us if you would like to be a producing part of this critically acclaimed show or want to book this powerful performance in your community or town.