At the time, female writers were expected to stick to tales of family life or chaste virgins seeking romance with handsome men. Nin shattered those norms, carving out space for female autonomy. Women devoured her books in private; you wouldn’t find Anaïs Nin on any book club lists.

Throughout her life, Nin had many lovers, including the writer Henry Miller. She secretly married two men at the same time, leading a double life on opposite coasts. She married Hugo Parker Guiler in 1923, describing him more as a confidant than a romantic partner (she also suspected he was homosexual). Later, she married Rupert Pole in 1955 — sixteen years her junior. Neither husband knew about the other until after Nin’s death.

Johnny Moreno and Arwen Anderson

Her life and writings have now at The Marsh San Francisco in Shameless Hussy, written by Bay Area playwright Lynne Kaufman. Luckily for us, the electrifying Arwen Anderson steps into Nin’s shoes and gives an unforgettable, tour-de-force performance. For 75 uninterrupted minutes, Anderson embodies a vibrant woman ahead of her time — never apologizing for her unconventional life or her unapologetic choices. We watch her grow, evolve, and celebrate her existence with fierce vitality. Anderson’s physical presence is as commanding as her emotional one: statuesque in a form-fitting bright red dress, with long blonde hair, she radiates confidence with every move.

Although Shameless Hussy is centered on Anaïs Nin, it’s really a duet — and Johnny Moreno matches Anderson beat for beat. Dark, handsome, and effortlessly debonair, Moreno tackles the more challenging task of playing multiple men who shaped Nin’s life. As her father, he’s stern yet seductive; as Otto Rank, her psychoanalyst and a student of Freud, he’s curious and nurturing. As her husbands and lovers, he’s suave and magnetic. The chemistry between Anderson and Moreno crackles, adding an extra layer of intimacy that pulls us even closer. (The duo appeared in Kaufman’s most recent play at The Marsh, Extreme Acts.)

Director Warren David Keith guides this journey with precision and sensitivity. Staged in the funky, intimate space of The Marsh, the production feels like you’re sitting in the front row — or peering through a private window into two people’s vibrant, passionate lives. Watching the play, you can imagine the thrill of women decades ago secretly reading Nin’s diaries. (In fact, my own mother kept a copy tucked away in her private bathroom.)

Don’t miss this exceptional production. (Fair warning: this one’s definitely for adults only.)

photos of Arwen Anderson and Johnny Moreno by David Allen

Shameless Hussy
The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St
75 Minutes | no intermission | Ages 16+
Sat at 8; Sun at 5
ends on May 11, 2025
for tickets ($25-$35 sliding scale; $50-$100 reserved), visit The Marsh