MARILYN - MY SECRET to Make World Premiere at Macha Theatre, 3/30-4/21

Macha Theatre/Films presents the world premiere of "Marilyn-My Secret" written by Willard Manus and Odalys Nanin, directed by Odalys Nanin. This dramedy with music, chronicles the life of Norma Jean from unwanted orphan, to bit player, to sex goddess including the untold story of Marilyn's affairs with both female and male lovers - - from her acting coach to the president of the United States. The play runs March 30 - April 21, at the Macha Theatre in WeHo.

CREATIVE TEAM:

WILLARD MANUS (Co-writer) is an L.A.-based playwright, journalist and novelist. Among his many produced plays are: Blues for Central Avenue, Just a Song at Twilight,Junk Food, The Love Boutique, Bridge and Berlin Cowboys. In April his one-man play, Bird Lives! (about the life of Charlie Parker) will be seen at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, starring Leslie A. Jones. This summer he will have another new play produced at the 2013 Fringe Festival, Frank and Ava. His latest (and tenth) novel, Love under Aegean Skies, was recently published by Amazon as an E-Book. He's a member of The Actors Studio/Playwrights Directors Unit.

ODALYS NANIN (Producer/Writer/Director) is an award-winning playwright, director and producer and the founder and artistic director of Macha Theatre/Films. Her plays have garnered Critic's Pick in BackStage West, Critic's Choice in the LA Times and she has been nominated for both Garland Awards as well as GLAAD awards. She is the recipient of the Maverick Award from Women Theatre Festival and the Pat Parker Award from Christopher Street West. She is also an actress and recently co-starred with AJ Cook and Shemar Moore in Criminal Minds. For more about Odalys Nanin or the Macha Theatre, visit www.machatheatre.org.

CAST:

KELLY MULLIS (Marilyn Monroe) has been a big fan of Marilyn Monroe since she was nineteen and playing her has been a life-long dream. Kelly has been a professional actress in Hollywood for many years and has guest-starred on such shows as "NYPD BLUE", "Diagnosis Murder", & "General Hospital", and most recently was on "How I Met Your Mother". She is also the Artist Director for an Actor's Workshop called the "Hollywood Players Actor's Group" at the Complex Theater. When she's not acting, she can be found doing photography, painting, or writing screenplays. For more information about Kelly Mullis, visit www.kellymullis.com.

MONIQUE MARISSA LUKENS (Natasha Lytess / Paula Strasberg) she has been performing since she was 3 ½. After earning an MFA in Theatre from Sarah Lawrence, she pursued an artistic mix of radio broadcasting, and creating dance music - several on major labels; "Unique Monique's" the 2008 HMMA Best Electronica Artist. Monique played Wo Sind Sie? in Edoardo Ponti's "Coming & Going". On a comedic roll, she recently guest-starred for AOL in "Funny or Die". Other TV/film principal roles include "A Supermodel Stole My Husband" (AOL), "Excused" (CBS), "Love Hurts" (52 Films / 52 Weeks), "Green Manor" (The Casting Director), "Clothes I Hate" (Look TV), and "Miss California Cougar, Beverly Hills" (CNN iReport). She wrote, produced, & performed a Two-hour mystery/dramedy entitled "Murder Under a Porch" Favorite theater projects ~ "Jesus;" "Heddy LaRue;" "Emily Webb" (Plays in the Park), "Wooden Head" (Shubin Theatre) and "Poco a Poco" (Santa Monica Playhouse).

KATARINA RADIVOJEVIC (Lili St. Cyr) has studied acting at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, Belgrade. Born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia), she started acting at the age of eleven, with her film career beginning in earnest a decade later. Her first leading role was in the film "Zona Zamfirova" (2002), the most-watched film in the Balkan region. That same year, she won a 2003 FIPRESCI Award for Best Leading Actress. Katarina also starred in a title role in the film "Charleston and Vendetta" (2008), the most expensive movie production to date in Serbia. Katarina made her American debut in the play Painkillers in New York in 2009. The Weeping Game was her second off-Broadway show (2010). Katarina is currently the face of cosmetic company Avon for Southeast Europe.

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