Solo play honors legendary performer, patriot, and feminist

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 in the New York Theatre Festival’s annual Winterfest, was chosen as a finalist at the storied New York New Works Theater Festival, and enjoyed an exclusive performance in association with Hudson Theatre Works, and had a limited, special engagement Off-Broadway at the Triad Theater. 

BROUGHT TO life BY...

Marlene dietrich / Producer

Cindy Marinangel​
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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. 

writer

Willard Manus​
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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.

Musical Director / Pianist

Russell Daisey
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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.

Co-pRODUCER

Errol Rappaport
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Errol 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.” 

Executive producer

David Curtis
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During his lifetime, David Curtis has been successful as a mason, contractor, foreman, business owner, model, boxer, runner and fitness instructor. After 32 years of service, Mr. Curtis retired as the Deputy Chief of North Hudson Fire and Rescue.

Of interest, Chief Curtis was the first person on the scene when Captain Sully landed his commercial plane in the Hudson River.  He received a Command Award for his actions overseeing the emergency agencies to rescue the passengers. 

Presently, retired Deputy Chief Curtis is writing a book on leadership. He is the proud father of two grown children (Corin and David) and is grandfather to baby Cooper. 

DIALECT COACH

Glenda Morgan Brown
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Glenda is an LA-based actress and dialect coach and excited to be working with Cindy on Dietrich. With various theaters in Southern California, she has coached actors in British (several area dialects), Irish, German, Southern US, Brooklyn, and Australian accents. As an actress, she has appeared in several television series, notably in Scandal, and you can catch her on Amazon Prime in the title role in the thriller At Granny’s House.

make-up

Karen Kubeck
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Karen’s 35-plus year resume of film and television makeup design reads like the Who’s Who of Hollywood. Her credits include work for Disney’s Splash (she designed Daryl Hannah’s underwater body makeup), Lorimar’s Full House, Viacom’s Matlock, ABC’s Extreme Makeover with Dr. Ava Shamban, America’s Next Top Model, and two seasons of Betrayed for Discovery ID. She has worked on many music videos with music icons Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Roger Waters, Jackson Browne and The Pointer Sisters to name a few. She currently works and travels with world-renowned motivational speaker Mary Morrissey. karenkubeck.com

CINDY MARINANGEL IS MARLENE DIETRICH...

Video shot and edited by Amber Dawn Lee

Cindy Marinangel and russell daisey at international peace day, times square.

cindy marinangel speaks about marlene dietrich and dietrich

ALWAYS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED!

"Cindy Marinangel delivers a brilliant performance, capturing the spirit of movie legend Marlene Dietrich. Must see show!"
- Nancy Lombardo, Host of What's The Buzz NY

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
"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
Jan 6th & 7th, 2019
Triad Theater, New York City
Producer - Cindy Marinangel (cindymarinangel.com)
Executive Producer - Dr. Judy Kuriansky (drjudy.com)
Executive Producers - Jim and Kathy Marinangel
Co-Producer - Errol Rappaport (@errolrappaport)
Co-Producer -  Paul Sladkus (goodnewsplanet.com)

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
September 13th, 16th, & 17th 2018
Acorn Theater, New York City
​Producer - Cindy Marinangel (cindymarinangel.com)
Co-Producer -  Paul Sladkus (goodnewsplanet.com)
Director - Michael V. Doane (michaelvdoane.com)

CRITICS LOVED DIETRICH AT THE TRIAD THEATRE

"Ms.Marinangel channels Ms.Dietrich with aplomb... transporting and hypnotizing us into a frenzy."
TripAdvisor.com
"It is a rare find to have a talent that can channel a superstar from the past and, like magic, transform the off-Broadway cabaret room, The Triad into the Tatania Palast Theater, Berlin, cerca 1960. Cindy Marinangel does just that in the guise of Marlene Dietrich as she sweeps us back in time from her perspective backstage in her dressing room in Berlin."
Michael Reubens, iWorldTravel
"...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
June 22nd 2018
​Triad Theater, New York City
​Producer - Cindy Marinangel (cindymarinangel.com)
Co-Producer - Michael V. Doane (michaelvdoane.com)
​Director - Judith Rose
"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/
February 19th, 23rd, & 25th 2018
​Hudson Guild Theater, New York City
​Producer - Cindy Marinangel (cindymarinangel.com)
Executive Producer - Mark Presser
Associate Producer - Judith Rose
​Co-Producer - Paul Sladkus (goodnewsplanet.com)
Co-Producer - Omaar Antonio
​Directed by Judith Rose

a hit at the winterfest festival!

WORLD PREMIERE WOWS LOS ANGELES

"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."
​-- Hettie Lynne Hurtes (KPCC / NPR)
"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/
July 30th, 2017 - August 27th, 2017
​The Brickhouse Theater, North Hollywood
Producer - John Lant (Carnegie Hall)
​Directed by Judith Rose
"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."
​-- Petra Schuermann (Germanworldonline.com) | https://germanworldonline.com/marlene-in-north-hollywood-noteworthy-one-woman-play-by-willard-manus/

PRESS KIT

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.
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DIETRICH