The last few months have been a whirlwind for Leslieville-based actor/writer/comedienne and producer Shelley Marshall.
In October, the eight-year east-end resident put on a 28-day run of her critically acclaimed and award-winning solo show, Hold Mommy’s Cigarette: One woman’s story of an unfiltered life… .
The 70-minute-long show was so well received, Marshall decided to bring it back for a six-show run in late November.
Hold Mommy’s Cigarette is a show that takes the audience through the trials and tribulations of Marshall’s tumultuous life starting when her father took his own life on his birthday when she was just seven years old to her own suicide attempt 16 years ago to her present-day reality as a unabashed funny woman who has managed to rise above and turn her sadness into tremendous success.
This fall, more than 1,000 people saw the show, which raised funds for the Red Door Family Shelter.
"Hold Mommy’s Cigarette really touched people’s lives," Marshall said during a recent interview, pointing to a book full of touching messages people left for her following each night’s show.
For the first time in her eight years of producing shows, Marshall said she received emails from audience members, many of whom shared their stories of how their lives have been impacted by a loved one’s suicide or suicide attempt.
"It’s just endless the secrets people divulged to me," she said.
"I received so many comments from people thanking me for giving them permission to be happy and fellow their dreams. … I never thought the simplicity of the story – just a woman wanting more and not understanding that she deserves more – would touch so many people."
Marshall, who still struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder as well as anxiety and panic attacks but is happy to share her story and give hope to others caught up in the stigma of being silenced, plans on remounting Mommy’s Cigarette again in April.
She’s also working on taking the show on tour in the new year.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, Marshall will be presenting and hosting the holiday edition of her always-packed vaudevillian variety show, The Full Bawdy Comedy Show – A Very Mental Christmas, for the first time at her nearly 2,000-sqaure-foot boutique theatre space aptly named The Full Bawdy Loft at 290 Carlaw Ave.
This time around, The Full Bawdy Comedy Show is set to feature Ginger St. James, St. Stella, Erin and Nara, Andrea Murray, Erin Keaney and man of the hour, Todd Graham.
Marshall has produced the at-times risqué and already-sold out variety show, which features song, burlesque, circus and stand-up, for eight years at various venues.
"I can’t wait," she said.
In the new year, Marshall will also be putting pen to paper to write her next solo show, The Clown Who Said Too Much, which explores the importance of teaching kids to be open and honest about sensitive topics that often get swept under the rug and finding different ways to approach them.
She’s also working on putting together a ‘January Blues’ series featuring all things blue from bands to comedy to Blue (wo)Man Group-inspired performers.
Aside from the many projects she’s currently working on, Marshall said she is also excited about the possibilities for her salon theatre space, which has a full tech booth, lighting system as well as a projector and screen.
"The possibilities are endless. There are so many options for the space," she said, pointing to pin-up and other types of photography shoots, live theatre and music events, art shows, fundraisers and script-reading sessions to name a few.
"I’m open to people in the community who want to use the space – just talk to me about it. I’m happy to support local artists."
Visit www.shelleymarshall.com/ for more information or to get in touch.
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