Mariann Aalda

Mariann Aalda ~ A Woman with a Vision (that became a play)

Here is a woman that has it all.She was a contract player in the 1980's on the popular soap, Edge of Night.She starred in sitcoms (The Royal Family, First & 10) and costarred in movies (Class Act, Nobody's Perfect).Suddenly "the greatest challenge in getting older is learning to deal with loss," says Mariann."I have experienced this first hand, the death of a parent; an empty nest; the end of a long term marriage and diminishing career opportunities.Between 2000 to 2002, were the worst 18 months of my life when I experienced them all."

Being a woman over fifty, Mariann is another woman that has felt the effects of our society.A graduate of Southern Illinois University, with a degree in communications a concentration in both theater and journalism.She started out as a publicist, but that was not her calling."I had to follow my star."After more than twenty years making her living as an actress, however, that star dimmed when she hit her mid-forties."In 2002, after it had all 'hit the fan', I almost considered leaving the business.I spent a year in training to become a clinical hypnotherapist and began counseling other women at mid-life."Mariann is also a professional member of the American Counseling Association.

She found so many women bought into the media perception of once we are older, we lose our value to society.Thus the book of comic essays, Snap Out of It ... You've Only Been Hypnotized Into Believing You're Over the Hill.With Mariann's strength and determination, this book became a one woman show."It was chick humor for every woman over 40 and those planning on living to be."Mariann played to standing ovations.
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Mariann is now paired with two other dynamic women, Lola Love (former performer with James Brown) and Iona Morris (veteran stage, film and television actress) in a naughty, bawdy "sexistential comedy" in praise of the sexual viability of the "seasoned woman".
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The play is aptly titled "Herotique-Aahh ... ". Mariann tells me, "It's been described as 'the emotional cousin to the Vagina Monologues and Menopause the Musical' but it's not bitter, not sad, not self-deprecatory, instead, it's celebratory!"

Left to Right the 3 Blacque Chix: Lola Love, Iona Morris & Mariann Aalda
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Mariann says of their play, "It says something to men and women of all ages and of all colors.
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Mariann has caught her Hollywood star.
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Mariann, I wish you all the luck and love you deserve.Thank you for giving so many women the opportunity to see themselves not as "over the hill" but with many more mountains to climb!

Left to right ... "Herotique-Aahh ... " director James Reynolds (who plays Abe Carver on the soap opera, Days of Our Lives), Lola Love, Stevie Wonder (yes, THE Stevie Wonder!) Mariann Aalda, Iona Morris and "Herotique-Aahh ... " musical director and percussionist, Munyungo Jackson.