The first performance sold out in three days –
​second evening performance was near capacity!

Valerie C. Woods has been an ardent supporter from the word go!
When Scottie first told Valerie, a friend and supporter for over 20 years, that she was working a book, Ms. Woods asked the natural question, “What’s it about?” When Scottie replied matter-of-factly, ‘It’s from my journal as the showrunner of the most testosterone-fueled adventure/survival reality tv show coming out as a woman in a man’s mans’ world.” Woods didn’t miss a beat and replied, “send me the first five chapters.” MS. Madden did, and Woods responded, “You’ve got a real page-turner, keep going and hurry, there’s a tv series here! By the way… you’ve written a love story!”

A year later, Scottie’s got a book and together they’ve written a series concept and pilot screenplay called “The Other Woman.” The script explores the world of Mike and Samantha, a married couple of 27 years, trying to make room for ‘the other woman’ in their lives when Mike comes out as transgender – their life becomes the ultimate survival show, and their love their very own defense of marriage act.

And Valerie took it all step further, when she selected “The Other Woman” to launch her landmark venture. Presented by, BooksEndependent, and TV writer/producer Valerie C. Woods, with the Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory, Staged/Lit will be a monthly celebration of the creative synthesis of adapting prose to screen. The works will be performed, the authors and screenwriters will discuss the process and answer questions and the authors will sign books at a reception where the audience will be able to meet the cast and creative team.

“The process is amazing,” said Ms Madden, “taking a book from my journal and my life in Reality TV, writing a screenplay, adapting that to a theatre piece and then experiencing it with a live enthusiastic audience… i was a writer’s bootcamp and Christmas morning all rolled into one!”

The Casting process was especially exciting – it’s one thing for a writer to set their life story down in words and another to see their life spoken aloud by talented people who put their heart into their work. Scottie’ describes her experience,“Adapting my life to the screen was like coming out all over again – It took as much effort to keep trusting co-writer, Valerie Woods, as it had to come out to her in the first place. At every scary crossroads, I had no choice but to tear open the self-inflicted wounds I had vowed I could forget forever. Truth, as insane, heart-wrenching or dark as it had been at times, was the only shade of gray that was ever the right color.” Co-Writer and producer.

 

Valerie puts it this way, “When Scottie first told me her story, it was clear that the journey she and her wife were traveling was one that would uplift and transform our understanding of the power of love, the commitment to a marriage and the universal complexity of gender identity. As a publisher, writer, producer and friend, I celebrate Scottie’s creativity and courage in sharing her story with me, and offering her learning to the world.”

Kelly Mantle, who would be taking on the role based on Scottie, and Natalia Lazarus who would be Samantha, based on Marcy had the job of bringing a 27 year love affair to life – Kelly, no stranger to controversial work was honored, saying, “Every once in a while, an actor is fortunate enough to bring breath to a character who is like a kindred spirit. I am blessed to be a part of this courageous, compelling and very important story…and honored to be ‘The Other Woman.’“ Natalia shared the enthusiasm. saying “I am thrilled to be playing Samantha and as such, the other woman as well, one could say. To help voice the unexpected, the unsafe and the non-traditional choice is to me, what being an artist is all about.”

Outstanding Cast brought this Love Story to life!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The entire cast shared the belief that their contributions to bringing The Other Woman to the audience was both rewarding and challenging – with Linara Washington, who is bringing the real-life Lona Byrd Based on Scottie’s second-in-command in the adventure reality trenches, said it best, “The challenge of an actor is to always tell the truth of one’s character–to find all the things one loves, the flaws, the beautiful messiness of life– and then be it with careless abandon. ‘The Other Woman’ is a treasure trove of truths so achingly real, life affirming, and inspiring. What a pleasure it is to be trusted with bringing these characters to life!”  

It’s a story that is growing before everyone’s eyes, as Scottie says, “Valerie, never betrayed my trust – in fact her wisdom, clarity and grace makes each moment the joy that I had prayed all my life that my life could be… would be if only it had the chance. With Valerie, director Kevin Flood, and now an amazing cast, not only is Marcy & my story  living and breathing right before our very eyes… but my prayers were answered.” ​