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"Irina and I met over dinner and talked about her dream of doing a show about gypsies. We realized we had a mutual love for their passion and music. Together we knew we could tell a story through music and Irina’s life experience. Not only has she played many gypsy queens in movies and television, she dreamed of being kidnapped by gypsies and being able to ride in a caravan and sing and dance. With “Gypsy in my Soul” we were able to come close to that wish. Together with the musicians, actors and designers we hope we are able to transport you into our gypsy caravan. As our gypsy friends would say, “Se bucura!” “Enjoy!” "
– Carlyle King (Director)

Irina Maleeva

Irina Maleeva speaking to audience Gypsy in my Soul. Is a true multi-faceted international performer. Born in Bulgaria to a leading lady of the Bulgarian stage and a war hero father who led the anti-Nazi movement for his country, she first established herself as a child actor in Bulgaria and as a teenager in Italy. With degrees in Set Design and Costume from Academia di Belle Arti in Rome and graduation from the Cinecitta Drama Film School studying with filmmakers like Rossellini and Visconti and studies in RADA in London, she received the training that propelled her into a successful worldwide career in films, records, television, stage and cabaret. Soon she got the lead in the TV series “Poly in Venice” and the film “ The Girl Without Identity, which made her a favorite among the young Europeans.

At age 15, she was discovered by Italian film director Federico Fellini, who cast her in three of his films, including “Satyricon”. She played Jessica to Orson Welles’ Shylock in a BBC production of “The Merchant of Venice” and went on to star in more than 30 European and American films. Her co-stars have included such icons as James Mason, Valentina Cortese, Terence Stamp, Anthony Franciosa and recently Susan Sarandon and David Duchovny. She was recognized by the Toronto Film Festival for her supporting actress portrayal of “the demented contessa” in the film, “Union City”, starring Deborah Harry and Pat Benatar. Irina Maleeva and Nat Goller.

Irina has also played recurring and guest starring roles on such TV hits as “Days Of Our Lives”, “The Gilmore Girls”, “The Bold And The Beautiful”, “Pensacola”, “Just Shoot Me”, “Angel”, “Six Feet Under”, “Heroes”, “Cracking Up” and “Twelve Miles of Bad Road”. Her most recent guest-star roles include the part of Vera in “Aquarius” and the part of Sahin in the series “The Night Shift”.

Since Irina delights in taking her audiences on emotional journeys of song, dance and narrative, she has traveled the world to share her critically acclaimed one-woman musical comedy shows, including “Passion, Pain and an Occasional Vodka Tonic”, “Mata Hari’s Last Dance”, “Irina A-Broad” and most recently “Illusions” directed by Randy Johnson.

Irina dedicates this theater production of “Gypsy in My soul” with loving gratitude to her wonderful husband Nate Goller for his love and his unwavering support.

Carlyle KingCarlyle King
Carlyle has worked as an actress, writer, director, teacher and producer in the theatre over the last 40 odd years. Initially brought out here by John Houseman (she holds an MFA from USC), she has studied with Uta Hagen, Kim Stanley, Milton Katselas (to name a few). She was co-artistic director at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills for 2 years and co-created their highly successful One Act Festival that lead to NY productions, an HBO show and publications in Samuel French. Most recently as a director, Carlyle directed the world premiere of Tracy Silver’s one woman show MOTION CURES and the LA revival of BARRYMORE at the Marilyn Monroe theatre. At The Road Theatre she starred in MUD BLU SKY, produced THE ENGLISH BRIDE and Playwrights Festival and recently directed AFTER ORLANDO. She is a member of the Artistic Board and heads THE WORD @ MAGNOLIA. Over the last ten years, Carlyle has headed “Kid Shakespeare” an after school drama program in the Pasadena. She has taught at USC and South Coast Repertory.


Ed MartelED MARTEL
Ed has served as music director, conductor, arranger, orchestrator and pianist for many shows, concerts, television, movies, recording projects and has conducted orchestras throughout the USA, Europe and Asia. His piano playing has backed up many artists in concert including Englebert Humperdinck, Jason Alexander, Davis Gaines, Andrea MacArdle, Diane Reeves, Fred Travalena, Sally Kellerman, Roslyn Kind, Rickie Lee Jones, Ted Neeley, The Irish Tenors, Robert Davi, Dennis McNeil, Barbara Morrison, Don Most, James Snyder and Three Dog Night. He has been the featured piano soloist for multiple performances of Rhapsody in Blue with orchestra and has recently performed a concert for justices, ambassadors and congressmen at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC. He studied music at Boston University and UCLA. Ed was musical director for Irina in her previous show “Illusions”.


John PaulJohn Paul
Trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) conservatory program in NYC and BFA in LA. Theatre credits: “42nd Street”, and Beauty and the Beast at Candlelight, Sister Act, The Little Mermaid (5 star theatricals), Damn Yankees, (SDMT), Sweet Charity & Kiss of the Spider. (“Welk”) Film credits; “GLEE” NYADA Glee club member (Baby Got Back). And performed with Academy Award Winner Shirley Jones in Waiting In The Wings, The Musical. Many thanks to my representation team. John Paul was Irina’s partner in her previous musical “Illusions”.

Jason LykeJason Lyke
Jason is originally from Chicago, Illinois and is a multi-talented performer. With a commercial background, Jason has appeared in over a dozen commercials including 2 National campaigns and Seventeen Magazine. As a singer, Jason possesses a strong, crowd pleasing vocal ability as well as a charming, competitive edge. He auditioned for American Idol and made it to the top 100 in Pasadena, California beating out 11,000 people. Since his trek to Los Angeles in 2017 Jason continues to act, model and sing. He has appeared in a Disney movie; is currently working on writing and directing his very own short film. His future is looking very bright.


Maria del BagnoMaria Del Bagno
Maria was named one of LA’s top choreographer’s by the Los Angeles Jazz Dance Foundation. Her most recent work includes working with renowned Choreographer Alan Johnson where she co-wrote and produced “Alan Johnson – Let Me Entertain You!” A retrospective of his work, which was greatly received at the Paley Center for Media last November. Other projects include working with Alicia Silverstone on a new project soon to be released this spring. She also has her own dance company called DanceCreate where she teaches dance and puts on productions. Maria did the choreography for Irina in “Illusions” and is happy to be working with her again!


Timo NunezTimo Nuñez
Flamenco choreographer, dancer, actor. Timo Nuñez began dancing ballet and studying musical theatre at the age of seven in Santa Barbara, California. He was intensely attracted to Spanish Flamenco Dance and started to study under Linda Vega and Roberto Amaral. He performermed with the Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera and Juan Palaver’s “Men of Flamenco”. Debbie Allen discovered Timo and his sister Beatrice as a young brother/sister flamenco duo. He performed at the Kennedy Center in Debbie Allen’s “Pipit’s Story” and soon became a member of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Later Timo was chosen to win the prestigious “LA Music Center Spotlight Award”. Soon he signed with MSA. Now he performs and choreographs all over the world. He won the First Place recognition in “El Concurs de Baile Flamenco” judged by El Torombo, and some of the most renowned flamenco dancers.

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