United Stages Presents DIVA the Play by Vivienne Powell
3 min read
Directed by Leah Patterson at the Zephyr Theatre in Hollywood
United Stages presents the World Premiere of DIVA the Play, written and performed by Vivienne Powell with award-winning director, Leah Patterson at the helm. The show runs November 1st – 10th at the Zephyr Theatre.
“Nothing a human heart has loved will ever be lost” by HG Wells
DIVA is the story of world-renowned Australian opera singer Louisa McCrae reliving her life through the lens of a fractured mind. As she unpacks a suitcase full of memories, she is transported back to powerful moments that shaped her extraordinary life. As her mind starts slipping, can she hold onto the memories long enough to revive her broken heart?
Writer / Performer Vivienne Powell
Vivienne Powell was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Vivienne holds a Master of Creative Arts (in classical/opera singing) from the University of Newcastle, Australia, and has studied acting at NIDA, Sydney, the Howard Fine Acting Studio and the Ted Brunetti Studio in Los Angeles, and Improv with Bill Applebaum of the Actors Improv Studio, Los Angeles.
Vivienne’s background in the performing arts is diverse, having been an opera singer (Opera Australia, PaciSic Opera), concert artist (Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Beethoven Societies of Australia & Japan, Symphony of Australia), cabaret performer (solo show Sentimental Journey, Seymour Centre, Sydney), musical theatre performer (Sydney Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Savoy Arts Company), as well actress in television (All Saints, Home & Away, Deadly Women) and film (Ugly Benny, Beautiful Destroyer, Khali the Killer). Vivienne played the lead in the award-winning short film, Song From A Blackbird, which screened in the Cannes Film Festival in 2014.
Vivienne played the role of Bertie’s Mom in Seasons 1 and 3 of Judd Apatow’s Love on NetFlix, the sultry Lilian Fleet in season 8 of Shameless, and in 2023, the role of Old Rhonda in The Last Anniversary, starring Nicole Kidman and Miranda Richardson.
In 2016 Vivienne played the role of Susan in Ruben Guthrie, for the Australian Theatre Company in Los Angeles. For her work in Ruben Guthrie Vivienne received a Broadway World nomination. Later in 2016, Vivienne played the lead role of Bridget in the highly acclaimed Bridget and Iain for the international short play festival, Short and Sweet Hollywood. The production won the Los Angeles City Award and Audience Award for Best Play in the festival.
The play Bridget and Iain was adapted into a screenplay by New Zealand writer Norelle Scott, and the Film Bridget and Iain screened at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as other prestigious international film festivals.
In the 2020 film, Le Miroir, Vivienne played the role of the enigmatic Hungarian opera singer, Madame B. The film won numerous international awards, and Vivienne was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the New York/Long Island Film festival.
Director Leah Patterson
Award-winning Australian director Leah Patterson works in theatre, film, and the voiceover world. She was the first in her family to attend university, attain a passport, and travel. She works as a Dubbing Director and has directed 50+ episodes for English localization. All work is currently on Netflix, including breakout Korean hits Physical 100 and Zombieverse.
In 2021, she was one of eight global filmmakers selected for the Australian Screen Forum’s Women in Screen Workshop. She is a Ryan Murphy Half Initiative Episodic Directing Fellow and shadowed Producing-Director David Grossman on Fox’s hit show 911 Lone Star. She was named a Top 10 Women In Film To Watch by Diversity In Cannes.
Her film Bridget and Iain was based on the play of the same name by Norelle Scott. Lead Damian Sommerlad won Best Actor at Diversity in Cannes. She previously directed the play and was awarded Best Director of the 60+ play festival, Best Play, the People’s Choice Award presented by the City of Los Angeles at the Short+Sweet Festival. She was the Literary Manager for Los Angeles based Australian Theatre Company, curating and producing its popular annual Summer Reading Series.
United Stages
The theatre production company, United Stages grew out of Australian Theatre Company. Nate Jones, Founding Artistic Director. Beginning in North America, United Stages is establishing a worldwide network of theatre practitioners, artists and arts organizations, establishing a unique platform to share international works on a global scale.
*Special thanks to Publicist Sandra Kuker PR
The Zephyr Theatre is located at – 7456 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
