KUSI News Covers They Promised Her the Moon
KUSI News Theater Expert Joey Landwehr and Francella Perez discuss San Diego theater and Laurel Ollstein’s play at the Old Globe.
Mary Beth Fisher wields the exact alchemy of Southern grace, biting wit, and iron will one imagines would be essential for breaking into the boys’ club in the 1930s and ’40s.
San Diego Magazine’s Dan Letchworth reviews They Promised Me the Moon
Old Globe To Tour “They Promised Her the Moon”
The Old Globe announced they will tour Laurel Ollstein’s They Promised Her the Moon to four community venues this spring.
Opening night – Tonight!
Every incarnation of this play has led to this beautiful production. Every cast and director and friend who read my early drafts around my living room with a glass of wine. I’m talking to you – Bernadette Sullivan and Johanna McKay!
Moon Run Extended & First Photos
The Old Globe, due to demand for tickets, extended the West Coast premiere of Laurel Ollstein’s They Promised Her the Moon through May 12, 2019. Sneak preview photos of the production.
Listen to Laurel Ollstein and Morgan Hallet on KPBS Radio
Playwright Laurel Ollstein and Morgan Hallett, the actress who plays Cobb, join Midday Edition o discuss the inspiration for the play.
First Woman in Space 1963
On June 16, 1963, Soviet Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel into space. The United States screened a group of female pilots in 1959 and 1960 for possible astronaut training but later decided to restrict astronaut qualification to men.
First Preview!
Happy first preview to the cast and creative team of They Promised Her the Moon at the Old Globe!
Women’s Dreams Lost in Stars
Story in the San Diego Union Tribune today with rehearsal photos by Howard Lipin. In Old Globe’s ‘They Promised Her the Moon,’ women’s dreams of traveling into space wind up lost in the stars
San Diego Tribune Theater Picks includes Moon
“Top theater picks in San Diego From “Cats” to …people in space.” Recommended play Laurel Ollstein’s They Promised Her the Moon.
Old Globe Opening Approaches
Great shots of the theatre and banner by Lanna Joffrey and a photograph of the cast and creative team.
Broadway World San Diego
In 1960 the famed “Mercury Seven” trained at NASA to become the first American astronauts. But they weren’t alone. Thirteen women also underwent the same rigorous psychological and physical testing.
San Diego Magazine Covers Jerrie Cobb at the Globe
“Laurel was very smart to focus on just one woman, more than a movement….It’s a really important, inspiring story,” Sardelli says. “It’s a universal story, for any human being who’s just a little bit ahead of their time.”
Denitsa Blinznakova Designs for They Promised Her the Moon
Preview of costume design by Denitsa Blinznakova for Laurel Ollstein’s “They Promised Her the Moon” at the Old Globe.
This one’s for Jerrie 1931-2019
They promised Jerrie Cobb the moon… A woman far ahead of her time.
First Rehearsal Old Globe
I'm in heaven. Truly. What a joy to work at this incredible theatre. With the fantastic director Giovanna Sardelli and brilliant cast. Matthew Boston, Mary Beth Fisher, Morgan Hallet, Lanna Joffrey,Michael Pemberton and Peter Rini. I am one lucky playwright. ...
Old Globe Announces Laurel Ollstein’s They Promised Her the Moon
The Captivating True Story of an American Original
In vividly theatrical terms, They Promised Her the Moon tells the unknown true story of this exceptional and unjustly overlooked woman—skilled aviator, world-record-holding pilot, successful business executive—and the powerful forces that kept her from reaching orbit.
Buy Tickets Here
Oklahoma
Doing research in the Oklahoma University library. Nice.
Fly to the Heavens
I didn't fly. Oh.... I'm such a chicken. There is something about women who fly. A confidence that they can do anything. After all they've flown into the heavens and come back again. Maybe, some day, I'll get there. But for now - I'll write about them.
Everyone is Beaming in Culver City
This class fills my heart every time – watching the students tell the stories of the seniors they interviewed.
Culver City Life Stories Project
Otis College students interview Culver City’s senior citizens, and in a theatrical presentation – with actors and projections – they tell the stories back to them with surprising and heartwarming results. Community project created by Laurel Ollstein.
Dorothy Parker Work in Toronto’s Inspirato Festival
My short play DOROTHY PARKER IS IN THE BATH is in a fabulous festival in Toronto! Anyone there? Please check it out. And tell me how it is!! Feeling grateful.
Old Globe Announces Season Including Laurel Ollstein Play
“The Old Globe’s 2018-2019 Season showcases the wonders and excitements of American theatre at its very best,” said Erna Finci Viterbi.
Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. “The season includes powerful and engaging world premieres, musical theatre of the highest caliber, hilarious comedy, and deep feeling, all created by artists of national and international renown…”
TheatreWorks New Works Festival Showcases Ollstein Play
Attracting theatre lovers from across the country, TheatreWorks’ New Works Festival is the artistic highlight of the summer in Silicon Valley. Laurel Ollstein’s new work will be included in this festival that began almost two decades ago and boasts successful alumni artists and hit shows.
Ollstein Play to Open Powers New Voices Festival at Old Globe
The new American play readings at the Old Globe commence on Saturday, January 13 at 4:00 p.m. with Laurel Ollstein’s They Promised Her the Moon, directed by Giovanna Sardelli.
Ollstein Play Selected for 13th Annual InspiraTO Festival in Toronto
Now these are the kinds of e-mails I love getting:
“Congratulations! …[We have] selected your ten-minute play as one of the plays for the 13th Annual InspiraTO Festival, Canada’s largest ten-minute play festival. We had 1,025 play submissions this season.” This play has travelled more than I have.
Ollsteins’ They Promised Her the Moon at the Old Globe Theatre
Thrilled to announce that my play
THEY PROMISED HER THE MOON
will be included in the fifth annual Powers New Voices Festival of play readings at the OLD GLOBE THEATRE in San Diego. Festival is set for Jan. 12-14.
Ollstein’s Play at Geffen Honored with Stellar Cast
The Geffen Playhouse is hosting a reading of They Promised her the Moon (the story of Jerrie Cobb, America's almost first female astronaut). Zoe Perry, Annette Bening, Arye Gross, Seamus Dever, Mary Beth Fisher, Stephen Caffrey and Bernadette Sullivan...
Huffington Post Praises They Promised Her the Moon
THEY PROMISED HER THE MOON: Girls in the Air by nancy cohen-koan "When they go low, we go high,” are words that could have easily been spoken by Jerrie Cobb (Amanda Quaid) in Laurel Ollstein’s new play They Promised her the Moon. The play tells the relatively unknown...
Fantastic Run at Miranda in NYC
“A HEARTWARMING STORY of a woman trying to fulfill her dreams IMPECCABLY DIRECTED by Valentina Fratti and SKILLFULLY ACTED!” — Theater Pizzazz “YOU SHOULD SEE THIS PLAY!…The actors are FUTURE STARS acting their hearts out for love. Lighting and staging are SUPERB! We...
Playbill Names Ollstein’s Play a “Must See”
Thrilled to have THEY PROMISED HER THE MOON listed on Playbill as one of the 21 Off-Broadway shows not to miss!!! Read more here about Playbill's not to miss shows.
Probing Drama Based on the True Story of the First Female Astronaut With All the Right Stuff
From Broadway World: "Laurel Ollstein's probing drama based on the true story of an astronaut who had all the right stuff, but never got her chance to be the first woman in space, features Amanda Quaid and Andrus Nichols as the distinguished female aviators Jerrie...
Britain’s Womanology Features Amanda Quaid Speaking about Playing Jerri Cobb in Laurel Ollstein’s New Play
Amanda Quaid stars in a new Off-Broadway show called They Promised Her the Moon written by Laurel Ollstein. Amanda has appeared on Broadway in Equus and in numerous Off-Broadway productions at Playwrights Horizons, The Public, CSC, Signature, LCT3, Red Bull, The...
May in New York City “They Promised Her the Moon” by Laurel Ollstein
The Miranda Theatre Company presents They Promised Her the Moon by Laurel Ollstein with Drew Ledbetter, Edmund Lewis, Andrus Nichols, Amanda Quaid, Patricia Randell and John Leonard Thompson Scenic and Lighting Design Graham Kindred Costume Design Tristan Raines...
Amanda Quaid to Portray Space Pioneer in THEY PROMISED HER THE MOON Off-Broadway
From Broadway World: Amanda Quaid stars in Laurel Ollstein's "They Promised Her the Moon," the true story of an astronaut who had all the right stuff, but who was passed over because she was a woman. Directed by Valentina Fratti, the Miranda Theatre Company production...
New Play Reading on February 8, 2017 8 p.m.
Come hear a reading of a new play - Wednesday Feb. 8th @ 8pm UNHAPPILY MARRIED IN VALENCIA! a farce about modern marriage... modern adaptation of the Spanish Golden Age play 'Los mal casados en Valencia' by Guillen de Castro (written in 1618) by Laurel Ollstein at...
You Can Help Bring Jerrie Cobb’s Story to Life
In 1961 Jerrie Cobb was so close to being the first female astronaut…and now Miranda Theatre Company is so close to being able to tell the world her story. Your donations, of any size, will help bring a full production of Jerrie Cobb’s story to the stage in Laurel Ollstein’s play “They Promised Her the Moon”. Donate today.
They Promised Her the Moon in NYC October 2016
Article from Playbill Magazine:
“They Promised Her the Moon, a play about real-life female flyer Jerrie Cobb, and her dream of becoming an astronaut in the 1960s, will get two public readings in New York this month.
The Miranda Theatre Company will present the readings of the drama by Laurel Ollstein, October 17 at 6:30 PM and October 18 at 3 PM at Nola Studios, 250 West 54th Street in Manhattan…”
THE CAST !!! Fantastic. Don’t miss it if you’re in NYC!
They Promised Her The Moon by Laurel Ollstein with John Hillner, Barbara Kingsley, Jeff Kready, Peter McRobbie, Zoe Perry, and Carol Todd directed by Valentina Fratti TAKE OFF: Monday, October 17th at 6:30 pm Tuesday, October 18th at 3:00 pm NOLA Studios, 250 West...
Life Stages of Culver City Seniors: Program at OTIS college – EVERYONE HAS A STORY
Today, September 27, 2016, we start the interviews at Culver City Senior Center. This is my favorite program/class that I do. College students interview Elders and create presentations about their lives. I have...
By the Bog of Cats – Success!
BY THE BOG OF CATS reading at the Odyssey Theatre on Sept 11 was a HUGE success! A stellar cast!!!! Zoe Perry Laurie Metcalf Jeff Perry Alfred Enoch Emily Kuroda Noah Galvin Coco Kennedy Danielle Kennedy Amanda Jerry Michael Shepperd Bernadette...
They Promised Her the Moon by Ollstein in New York City
THEY PROMISED HER THE MOON by Laurel Ollstein is scheduled for a workshop reading in NYC on Oct 17th. Directed by Valentina Fratti - Zoe Perry playing the lead.... more to come
Ollstein Directs Reading of By the Bog of Cats by Marina Carr at Odyssey Theatre
Laurel Ollstein directs special reading of Ireland’s famous playwright Marina Carr’s award-winning play at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles.
Francesca Lia Block and Ollstein Culver City Readings and Refreshments
Join novelist Francesca Lia Block and playwright Laurel Ollstein for an afternoon. Hear about lost brothers to 1970’s Paris fashion models to women who consummate their love with effigies of dead boyfriends as Francesca and Laurel’s students read selections from their work.
Playwriting vs. Television/Film: Is There Really a Difference?
Phoebe Lim of the UCLA Writers' Program interviews Laurel Ollstein What do Beau Willimon (House of Cards), Aaron Sorkin (Steve Jobs, The Social Network), and Sheila Callaghan (Shameless) have in common? They are among countless television and film writers who got...
Unhappily Married in Valencia Reading in LA Area
There will be a reading of my new comedy Unhappily Married in Valencia at the Skylight Theatre 7pm in Los Feliz - Feb. 15th with a GREAT cast..... More info to come!
News
Playwright Ollstein creates new course for OTIS College Art and Design
I'm thrilled to be teaching a new version of my Painting a Portrait with Words for students at OTIS college of Art and Design ! With the fabulous assistance of professional writers - Beth Ruscio, Leon Martell and Bernadette Sullivan, who will be mentoring the...
Ollstein Solo Show Class at UCLA Begins January 27
Writing Yourself onto the Stage: The One-Person Show The solo show is theater at its best. The bare essentials--a good story and one performer. This course is for writers, actors, comics, and anyone who wants to create (or are in the process of creating) their own...
Look What She Did! Laurel Ollstein on Jerrie Cobb
Here's a video of my appearance on the Look What She Did! series. This was a great opportunity to share some of my thoughts about the almost first female astronaut, Jerrie Cobb, the main character in They Promised Her the Moon....
Culver City Community Arts Project with Students and Seniors
This past weekend, Otis College of Art and Design students presented "Painting A Portrait with Words: Life Stages" at the Culver City Senior Center. Under the direction of faculty member, Laurel Ollstein students staged a live reading featuring the stories of four...
Reading Through Directed by Laurel Ollstein
Laurel Ollstein has done a brilliant job. Every moment is like a painting that tells a heartbreaking story. Don't miss it! This show is heartbreaking and heart warming at the same time. The best thing Virginia Avenue Project has done. I'm blown away by last night's...
Go See Diary of a Teenage Girl
If you're in NY or LA go see this movie this weekend. I am so proud of Mari Heller for telling this story so beautifully! "Minnie Goetze, the 15-year-old heroine of “The Diary of a Teenage Girl,” is a would-be cartoonist who, despite her first name, is closer in lusty...
Check out Alice Tuan discussing Rachel Crothers
Check out this Look What She Did! interview with my collaborator and great friend, playwright Alice Tuan disccussing Rachel Crothers, an early feminist playwright and director. I had such a great time directing Alice's play HIT at the Los Angeles Theatre Center....
Directing New Play by Tony Foster at Skylight
I'm directing a reading of a new play by Tony Foster. Monday night, August 3rd at the Skylight. Check it out!
Idyllwild Summer Arts
Idyllwild Summer Theatre Arts classes. My summer job... not bad.
Ollsteins’ They Promised Her the Moon at F.A.B. Readings June 26
Announcing the F.A.B. Reading Series! Our first play is THEY PROMISED HER THE MOON by Laurel Ollstein, directed by Shannon Patterson This is the true story of pilot Jerrie Cobb, the first American woman to almost make it to the moon. And the story of where she went...
Actors in Ollstein’s Cheese Nominated for Scholarships to American College Theatre Festival
Los Angeles Pierce College Theatre's Department Chair, Professor Michael Gend, today announced that two students who were part of the company of our recent production of Laurel Ollstein's hit comedy, "CHEESE," have been nominated for Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships in...
Cheese Plays to Sold Out Houses
Congratulations to our wonderful cast, crew, designers and director Laurel Ollstein on last night's smashing opening of the fabulously funny comedy, "CHEESE." And thanks to our packed house for their support! We do it all again tonight and tomorrow afternoon (both...
Culver City News: Esther’s Moustache
Maddie’s father shot himself and no one is willing to admit it. Without the help of family and friends, she deals with the pain alone, becoming an agoraphobic recluse. Diving further into her erotic drawings, Maddie sees her comic strip’s protagonist slowly come to...