Maria and her fellow cast members of last year’s production of GODSPELL at the Knightsbridge Theatre in LA have been nominated for an LA WEEKLY Theatre Award for Best Musical Ensemble! The 31st Annual LA WEEKLY Theatre Awards will be held on March 29th at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.

Click HERE for more info and a complete list of nominees.

Maria recently appeared in the staged reading of the new musical THE NEXT FAIRY TALE by at the Celebration Theatre in Hollywood.

This twisted take on the classic fairy tale was written by Brian Pugach, and directed by Cate Caplin, with musical direction by Wayne Moore. Maria played the show’s villain, “Minerva.”

Maria recently completed filming of the musical film, SUDDEN DEATH!, directed by Adam Hall. She also sang on the film’s soundtrack. SUDDEN DEATH! is scheduled for a June 2010 release date. Check out the pictures from the set:

Maria spent the week in the recording studio laying down vocals for the soundtrack and in the dance studio rehearsing the choreography.  Shooting is scheduled for December 13th and 14th.  The film is scheduled for a June 2010 release.  For more info, check out the official SUDDEN DEATH website at http://www.suddendeaththemovie.com/Sudden_Death/Home.html.

Maria recently auditioned for and was accepted into The Groundlings School, the training program of the world famous improv comedy troupe in Hollywood.  Notable alumni include Phil Hartman, Lisa Kudrow, Conan O’Brian, Jennifer Coolidge, and many more.  She has successfully completed Basic Level I, and has been advanced to the Intermediate Level II.  Classes began this week, and will  continue through the end of September.

Maria is currently in a production of GODSPELL at the Knightsbridge Theatre in Los Angeles. The show opened Saturday night, June 6th, to a sold out house! GODSPELL runs through July 12th, Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm. If you’re in the LA area, come check it out!

Here’s what the critics are saying:

From the LA Times:

“Maria Lee incinerates the aisles with “Turn Back, O Man.’”

From StageHappenings.com:

“Maria Lee, the token sex kitten proves she’s quick on her heels with hysterical improvisation and provides a stunning Pieta tableau, blending the virgin and the whore archetypes in a singular and unforgettable image.”

“Rejoice and be glad! The Knightsbridge Theatre resurrects the greatest story ever told – taken mainly from the gospel of St. Matthew – in this beloved musical revitalized with a fresh cast and a whole lot of attitude that will bring even secular audiences rising to their feet like holy rollers in a disco ball glittering revival.”

“Cynics be damned as this production, feverishly directed by Chuck McCollum, squelches any of the uncomfortable preachy underpinnings from the usual ragtag, glazy-eyed converts and replaces it with a dynamic, universal energy that entreats th audience to clap and sing along.”

From LA Weekly:

“Maria Lee gives a vampish turn to ‘Turn Back, O Man…’”

From EyeSpyLA.com:

“Each of the cast members gets a moment to shine…Maria Lee works the room with a sultry dance…”

“Godspell is a musical extravaganza. It’s a big production for a small theatre, but it works due to the talent and exuberant cast of cute young actors.”

Knightsbridge Theatre
1944 Riverside Drive
(Near the 2 & 5 freeways)
LA, CA 90039
PH: 323-394-1584
www.knightsbridgetheatre.com

Currently, Maria is featured as an on-air cast member and co-producer of the “Hey Luenell!” Radio Show Podcast. It’s a laugh-out-loud good time with the original bad girl of comedy – Luenell! Born in Tolette, Arkansas and bred in the Bay Area, Luenell shot to fame as the “hooker with the heart of gold” in the blockbuster film “Borat” and as sidekick to Katt Williams in his stand-up feature “American Hustle”. Join her with William Hanford Lee Jr., dj Arthur G and Maria, as they interview celebrities, give out bad advice and crack you up (hopefully)!

To listen to the current episode, click on this link:
April 3, 2009 • Ernest Thomas

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Check out photos from the show below. Click on the slide show for further details about the show’s guests.