Rag Doll on a Bomb Site

I always look forward to the shows of Shelley Cooper at the Hollywood Fringe. They are musical biographies of women who made history not only with their presence but with their voices as well; La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas and Jenny Lind Presents P.T. Barnum were both Fringe standouts.... full review

I came into this show not knowing anything about Shelley Cooper or her compelling work. What I did know was that choosing Lotte Lenya as the person to pay homage to was a most unusual and bold choice. Anytime a performer tackles a real person and aims to tell their story, I tip my proverbial hat to them. And Cooper does not disappoint. As a musical theatre junky, I knew of this award-winning character actress from Threepenny Opera, but James Bond fans will know her as Spectre agent Rosa Klebb in From Russia With Love. Cooper's show tackles Lenya's disturbing childhood and unimaginable survival methods through song, interpretive dance, and conversations she has with husband Kurt Weill. While Weill wants to cancel opening night of the ... full review