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Hollywood Fringe Hit Gets a Full Production in Los Angeles:
“My Sister” at the Odyssey
Expanded version of Hollywood Fringe hit ‘My Sister’ gets full production at Odyssey
Ultimately chilling tale of identical twins in pre-World War II Berlin is presented with charm and humor
An expanded version of My Sister, a smash hit at last season’s Hollywood Fringe Festival, will receive a full production at the Odyssey Theatre beginning January 16. Ron Sossi and Paul David Story co-direct identical twins Elizabeth Hinkler and Emily Hinkler in Janet Schlapkohl’s poignant tale of two sisters in pre-war Germany.
In early 1930s Berlin, the days are growing dark for freedom of expression and for those who don’t fit the Nazi ideal of physical purity. Beautiful twins Magda, a fledgling chanteuse and comedienne at the local cabaret, and Matilde, writer of the satirical songs and comedy for Magda’s act, are identical in every way — except one. Identical genetic makeup. Identical humor. Identical dreams for the future. But cerebral palsy affects Matilde’s movement and speech, leaving her housebound. Für immer zusammen (“together forever”). For how long will that remain possible?
“Elizabeth and Emily are talented, charming and extremely charismatic,” says Sossi who was so taken at the Fringe that he wanted to mount a full production. “This new version features additional cabaret sequences, songs and humor, and delves more deeply into the characters.”
“Because we’re identical, the audience is able to see past Matilde’s disability to the core of who she is,” suggest Elizabeth and Emily, who not only look alike, but tend to finish each other’s sentences. “The issues addressed in the play are not just historical; they’re relevant today. Human rights. Disability awareness. Freedom of expression. This play gets that across in a very powerful way.”
“I felt humbled, and my heart took a blow that needed about seventy five minutes to land — leaving me floored,” wrote fringe blogger David MacDowell Blue. “’My Sister’ is a don’t-miss gem, one of the highlights of this year’s Hollywood Fringe,” wrote Mark Hein on his Theatre Ghost site.
“This is a play about perception,” explains the playwright. “What makes us see somebody as lesser, or other, or different? Where that shift takes place is what fascinates me. With the Nazis, that was taken to the extreme. The disabled were the first group of people selected for extermination. It was easy to persuade the public, who believed it would end their suffering. Then gays – they’re not ‘right’ either. Political dissidents. Jews. It was all connected, a slippery slope. Sometimes I wonder… what would it have taken for me to go along?”
Story adds, “This is such an important play. The audience response at the Fringe was wonderful, and I’m delighted to be working in collaboration with the Odyssey.”
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CURRENT PRODUCTION AT THE ODYSSEY THEATRE
- Click here to read our feature in the LA Times!
- MY SISTER’s Footlights write-up about our journey from the Hollywood Fringe Festival to the three month run at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble!
- Skip ahead to 24:36 to hear our interview on the Michael Slate Show on KPFK (90.7FM)
- We were on LA Talk Radio’s In Our Times with host Cheryl Lubin. Click here to listen in
- Click here to read the Times of Israel’s interview with playwright Janet Schlapkohl
- Read the Jewish Journal’s interview with playwright Janet Schlapkohl and co-director Ron Sossi
- Tin Pan LA’s Interview with playwright Janet Schlapkohl
- KPFK’s “Access Unlimited” (90.7FM) radio interview with hosts, Henry Slucki and Jolie Mason. Click here to listen in!
- Find us in TheatreInLA
- Find us in American Theatre’s OnStage
- Find us on Better Lemons
- We’re on We 🙂 Like LA
- Check us out on LA Weekly
- Find us in the Los Angeles Times
- Check us out on The Stage Review
- Find us in *BlkGRRRL Avant- Garde
- We’re in The HUMAN Daily
- Find us in Ventura Blvd Magazine
- We’re featured in Performing Arts LIVE
- The Consul General Neumann came to our play and featured My Sister on Germany.info
- We’re in the Los Angeles Iowa Club
- Find us in #MNTwins TwitterNewsDaily
HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL PRODUCTION
- Hollywood Fringe Festival Press Releases
Click here to read all press releases from the Hollywood Fringe Festival
- @ This Stage Magazine Feature (a branch of LA Stage Alliance):
Click here to read the interview
- Fringe TV Interview
- LA FPI Fringe Feature:
- Hey Event:
Check out MY SISTER at heyevent.com
- Musicals In LA Spotlight:
QUAD CITIES THEATRE WORKSHOP PRODUCTION
- Quad Cities Times:
Click here to read the article
Click here for additional information
- Quad Cities Online:
Click here to read the article
IOWA PRODUCTION
- Daily Feature:
Click here to read the interview
Click here to see a photo slideshow
- The Dottie Ray Show AM 800 KXIC-