FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN
Last night, Revolution Stage Company presented Cindy Marinangel‘s in her one woman show, Dietrich. Inspired by the legendary Marlene Dietrich, this is a captivating night of theater. Marinangel fully inhabits Dietrich, bringing a fresh and compelling take on her life and career.
From the moment she steps onto the stage she commands attention, seamlessly slipping into Dietrich with a mixture of glamour, wit, and vulnerability. Marinangel’s vocal work is paired with an ability to evoke Dietrich’s complex character—at once distant and enigmatic, yet deeply human and emotionally layered.
Directed by Glenda Morgan Brown, the show itself, written by Willard Manus, takes audiences on a journey through Dietrich’s storied life—her departure from Berlin, Germany before WWII to her rise to fame in Hollywood and her later years as a political activist and beloved cultural icon. The script is engaging and thoughtfully crafted, interweaving personal anecdotes and reflections that explore Dietrich’s multifaceted personality. It’s clear that Marinangel has a deep love for her subject, offering not just a tribute but a nuanced exploration of the woman behind the myth.
The play takes place on the eve of Dietrich’s May 3, 1960, concert, which marked her return to Berlin since fleeing Nazi Germany decades earlier. It was a complex moment of defiance and reconciliation for her. Having been branded a traitor by some for rejecting the Nazi regime and refusing to support her homeland, she faces death threats, bomb threats and protestors. Her return to Berlin, a city marked by its dark past, was both a personal and political statement, highlighting the tension between patriotism and survival.
The set design complements the intimate tone of the performance—it is elegant and allows the focus to remain firmly on Marinangel’s performance. The lighting and music also play key roles in setting the atmosphere, evoking the glitz of 1930s Hollywood while highlighting the more somber and reflective moments in Dietrich’s life. Microphone issues plagued the performance I saw, but it is the mark of a pro who can handle it with aplomb as she did.
In today’s world, Dietrich’s defiance against fascism is profoundly relevant against the backdrop of rising far-right ideologies and neo-Nazism, especially in the U.S. Her unwavering stance serves as a powerful reminder of the need to confront hate and extremism, reflecting the same struggles against tyranny and division that we face today.
With one more performance tonight, this is a must-see for fans of Marlene Dietrich and lovers of intimate, powerful theater. Cindy Marinangel’s portrayal is quite moving, offering a fresh, humanized perspective on a legendary icon.
photos by Sylvia Hoke
Dietrich
Sea Angel Productions., LLC
Revolution Stage Company, 611 S Palm Canyon Dr. in Palm Springs
75 minutes, no intermission
ends on April 5, 2025
for info and more tour dates, visit Dietrich Play
