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Mariann's Prescription for Midlife Malaise? H.R.T!
Hollywood Improv, LA - Caroline's, NYC - Second City, CHI
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HUMOR REPLACEMENT THERAPY!
Those familiar with Mariann Aalda from her early days as "DiDi Bannister" on the ABC soap opera EDGE OF NIGHT and later, playing opposite OJ Simpson for three seasons as his long-suffering wife, "Ellen Parker" on HBO's FIRST & 10, or as the tragically disfigured "Lena Hart" on NBC's SUNSET BEACH...or as the co-host of USA's DESIGNS FOR LIVING might be surprised to find out that she's now making a name for herself in the world of stand-up comedy.
It's no surprise, though, to anyone who's watched her go toe-to-toe with stand-ups Mo'Nique and Brett Butler as a guest-star on THE PARKERS and GRACE UNDER FIRE...or taking on ALL of the DESIGNING WOMEN as Meshach Taylor's high-maintenance girlfriend, "Lita Ford"...or as Sherman Hemsley's stripper girlfriend on FAMILY MATTERS...or Ernie Hudson's zookeeper girlfriend on THE LAST PRECINCT...or holding her own in scenes with Redd Foxx, as his daughter on his last series, The Royal Family, with Della Reese...or with rappers Kid 'n Play, as the clueless mom, "Julie Pinderhughes" in the cult comedy, Class Act...or on-stage in the "sexistential" musical comedies,“M.O.I.S.T.!”and HEROTIQUE-AAHH... -- which she also co-wrote.
The fact is, that Mariann actually started out in comedy, as a member of the NYC sketch troupe, Off-Centre Theatre, which also helped launch the career of John Leguizamo...and toured with the famed improv group,The Proposition, which is where Jane Curtin, Josh Mostel and Charlie Adler also got their start.
As a comedienne, she is a voice for the baby-boomer women of her generation for whom "drugs, sex and rock 'n roll" still applies. No matter that the drug-of-choice these days is Boniva. And for any woman who's going through "the change" -- from young 'n hip to "old-age adjacent" -- her brand of H.R.T. is just what the doctor ordered!
