Electronic Press Kit

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAZOR RIBBON, a dramedy solo show, has its
World Premiere at the 2018 Hollywood Fringe Festival

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Logline: Out of options, a broke, down-on-her luck writer reluctantly mentors a federal prisoner to help him write his story, which then goes on to become a best-selling novel and movie.

Synopsis (Short): After a rapid succession of really bad breaks in life, writer and single mom Stacy is left broke, unemployed, and facing a mountain of debt due to a devastating divorce. For purely mercenary reasons (like needing to pay the light bill), she takes on the job of mentoring a federal inmate as he writes his story from prison. What transpires is an unexpected journey of two unlikely people at the lowest points in their lives helping each other climb out of the deepest holes fate has thrown them into. It’s a story of unsubstantiated trust and tremendous leaps of faith against all odds that are hard to believe—except for the fact that it’s all true.

Synopsis (Long): When a desperate mom reaches out to Stacy (a writer, comedian, and story developer) on Facebook to read her son's book manuscript, Stacy thinks it will be just the break she needs to get back on track financially after her divorce leaves her penniless. But once Stacy finds out the author of the manuscript is in federal prison for human trafficking of illegal immigrants, Stacy isn't sure she wants to get involved. However, with bills overdue and the electric company threatening to cut off the power, she agrees to simply read manuscript and give her opinion for a fee. Stacy is pretty sure she'll be able to take the money and run, given there is little chance the manuscript will be any good. But much to her surprise, the inmate's story is a character-driven, fish-out-of-water, serio-comedy, with lots of twisted morals and tinges of bittersweet humor. Entitled JACUMBA CONNECTION, author David C. Taylor chronicles the true story of how he and his wife (a suburban couple in San Diego) fell into the illegal immigrant smuggling business after facing financial hardships of their own. David’s story reveals a compassionate side of illegal immigration we’ve never seen before this, as told by a boots-on-the-ground insider who just happens to be born a white, U.S. citizen in middle-class America. As Stacy helps David piece together his story, it puts them on a three-year journey together; two unlikely people, who at the lowest points in their lives have no choice but to rely on unsubstantiated trust and tremendous leaps of faith—just to get this important story out. (And yes, David’s manuscript was eventually published by E-Magination Publishing, resulting in the book, JACUMBA CONNECTION, which is now in development to become a movie.)


Sneak peak

Stacy did a TED Talk on April 16, 2016, about working with author David C. Taylor while he was still in prison (by the way, he still is in prison today). Parts of this talk are included in the Hollywood Fringe show, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAZOR RIBBON.


SHOW PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES
Saturday, June 2 (preview week), 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 10, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 13, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 16, noon
Thursday, June 21, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 23, 3:00 p.m.

All performances are in the STUDIO C THEATRE, 6448 Santa Monica Blvd.

Tickets are $15 and go on sale May 1, 2018. To purchase tickets, click HERE.

For more information on the Hollywood Fringe, visit the Hollywood Fringe website.

FOR MORE SHOW INFO CONTACT: Stacy Dymalski at stacydymalski@gmail.com or 435-901-8977


Cast and Crew

 
Stacy Dymalski, writer-performer

Stacy Dymalski, writer-performer

Stacy Dymalski

STACY DYMALSKI (writer/performer) is a storyteller, filmmaker, stand-up comedian, and award-winning speaker. Any more than that and she’ll spontaneously combust. Branded as The Memoir Midwife, Stacy helps everyone from film studio executives to retirees find, write, and share their stories in the form of books and movies. She has given a TED Talk (April 16, 2016) and was a semi-finalist in the 2012 Toastmasters International Speech Contest, competing for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking. She’s also the author of the popular, “Confessions of a Band Geek Mom,” as well as the writer/director/producer of several award-winning films, including the feature “Jupiter Landing," which she co-wrote with Zack Van Eyck, “Hold Please” (directed by Chris Cudlipp with Stacy as writer/producer), which was nominated for a Golden Bear at the 2006 Berlin International Film Festival, and “The Write Stuff,” an official entry in several film festivals.

Photo credit: Liz Barlak Photography, Burbank, CA


Michael Blaha, producer

Michael Blaha, producer

Michael Blaha

MICHAEL BLAHA (executive producer) is an entertainment attorney and law professor, as well as an acclaimed stage and film producer. Just a few of  his theatre producer credits include “Cinderella” (starring Zsa Zsa Gabor at the UCLA Freud Theater), “Job: The Hip-Hopera” (Stella Adler Theater, Best Musical--Los Angeles Drama Critics and LA Weekly), “Hoboken to Hollywood” (Edgemar Theater, Best Musical of the Year--LA Weekly), “Richard Parker” (Best International Production, Hollywood Fringe Festival), and “Bukowsical” (Best Musical, New York Fringe Festival).

Internationally, Michael has produced over 40 shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and in London he produced "Versus vs. Versus" at the Soho Theatre, starring the improv duo Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez, better known as the worldwide comedy sensation The Pajama Men (The Times Double Act of the Year, Best Comedy Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Time Out Award for Best in Sydney Comedy Festival). 

As a film producer, a sample of Michael's credits include “Chi Girl,” (Slamdance Grand Jury Prize Winner), “The Dogwalker,” (Cinefest Best New Director), “runt” (Pan African Film Festival Best New Director Nominee), “Tropicalia” (Telluride Film Festival selection) and the short film “The Legend of Beaver Dam” (multiple international Best Short Awards and Honorable Mention, Sundance Film Festival).

Always on the lookout for new and exciting talent, Michael is the President of the Board of Directors of New Musicals, Inc., and on the Board of Directors of Filmmakers’ Alliance.

To contact Michael visit his website at www.blahalaw.com.


Megan Ford-Miller, producer and art director

Megan Ford-Miller, producer and art director

Megan Ford-Miller

The daughter of an accomplished oil painter from the south and born into a long line of creative southern women, MEGAN FORD-MILLER (producer and art director) was accepted into Cincinnati’s School for the Creative and Performing Arts at age of 9, later majoring in acting and voice, and minoring in ballet, modern jazz, and art concepts. She has been in countless musical theater, dance, and TV performances, as well modeled for print. As a tactile artist her work has been shown all over the southeastern U.S. As a designer she uses mixed media art and photography to create sets for small stage performances, while focusing on the big picture. She’s known for taking what may just be a good idea and turning it into a living breathing reality from concept to finish. Megan feeds off the collaborative, creative process and lives for that euphoria when you realize you’ve created something that makes people feel real emotion. That’s art.

To contact Megan and learn more about her visit Megan’s website.

 

 
Derrick Dymalski, original music

Derrick Dymalski, original music

DERRICK DYMALSKI (composer/pit orchestra) has performed at Carnegie Hall, played with jazz greats such as David Sandborn, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Lew Tabackin, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and Gordon Goodwin, and toured multiple times internationally. He's also received accolades in the form of several Downbeat awards from acclaimed Downbeat magazine. A graduate of the prestigious Frost School of Music at the University of Miami in Florida, Derrick's passion for music shines through in his high-spirited show “I Can’t Believe My Eyes.” He plays the saxophone, clarinet, flute, piano, electric bass, sings, and writes original compositions and theatrical scores. And if all that is not enough, he tours frequently nationally and internationally with his band, World Peace Ensemble.

To follow Derrick's performance schedule and learn more about his music check out his website at www.DerrickDymalski.com.


OFFICIAL POSTER

OFFICIAL POSTER

OFFICIAL POSTER

For more information on the Hollywood Fringe, visit the Hollywood Fringe website.

FOR MORE SHOW INFO CONTACT: Stacy Dymalski, stacydymalski@gmail.com or 435-901-8977