Runs April 24- May 3, 2026. Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Sun. at 3 p.m.
There are love stories—and then there are Love Struck.
In this daring, funny, and emotionally layered theatrical production, audiences are invited into the intimate world of Rachel and Laura—two women whose passionate romance has evolved into something deeper, more complicated, and ultimately more mundane. One American, the other Cuban, their relationship becomes a prism through which questions of ambition, identity, and belonging are explored with wit and candor.
At the center of it all is Odalys Nanin—a powerhouse in the Latinx and LGBTQ theater communities—who co-writes, co-directs, and stars as Laura. With a career spanning more than two decades, Nanin has built a reputation not just for provocative storytelling, but for consistently delivering award-winning work that resonates across cultures and communities.
A Story of Passion—and Its Aftermath
Rachel (played by Lizette Santiago) and Laura have been together for three years. What began as a whirlwind of “white-hot lust” has settled into a comfortable domestic life in Los Angeles. Their relationship is playful and adventurous—they experiment with role-playing, cosplay, and erotic accessories—but beneath the surface, tensions are building.
Laura’s professional success contrasts with Rachel’s growing insecurities. As Rachel yearns to match her partner’s accomplishments, she also begins to feel the pull of her roots in New York. What emerges is a deeply relatable question: Can love alone sustain a relationship when ambition, identity, and longing pull in different directions?
A Legacy of Theatrical Excellence
Nanin’s body of work reads like a canon of bold, unapologetic storytelling. From Frida: Stroke of Passion to Garbo’s Cuban Lover and The Nun and the Countess, her plays have pushed boundaries while celebrating complex, often underrepresented voices. Her honors include the prestigious Nancy Dean Playwriting Award, and her influence extends beyond the stage as the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Macha Theatre/Films.
Her continued success is no accident. Nanin has a rare ability to merge sensuality, humor, and cultural identity into narratives that feel both intimate and universal. With Love Struck, she revisits one of her earliest works—first produced in 1997—and reintroduces it to today’s audiences with renewed urgency and relevance.
A Dynamic Creative Team
Joining Nanin is co-director Angela Nicholas, a multi-hyphenate talent who brings experience as an actor, choreographer, playwright, and designer. Her previous collaboration with Nanin on Garbo’s Cuban Lover adds a layer of creative synergy to the production.
Co-writer Marie Barrientos, known for her work on Law & Order and Another World, contributes a nuanced perspective that enriches the script’s emotional depth and authenticity.
Meanwhile, Santiago brings both vulnerability and strength to Rachel—a role that reflects her own award-winning trajectory, including recognition at the Short and Sweet Hollywood Festival and standout performances in La Wija and Whiskey Hollow Road.
A Pioneering Story—Then and Now
When Love Struck first premiered in 1997, it broke ground as a lesbian romantic comedy at a time when such stories were rarely told on stage—let alone with humor, sensuality, and cultural specificity. Today, its revival feels both celebratory and necessary.
This is not just a story about love—it’s about the evolution of love. It’s about what happens after the passion settles, when real life, real dreams, and real differences come into play.
It’s sexy, yes. It’s funny, absolutely. But most importantly, it’s real.
As Nanin continues to build on her award-winning legacy, Love Struck stands as a testament to her enduring voice—one that refuses to be boxed in and continues to evolve with every production.
Written by Odalys Nanin and Marie Barrientos. Directed by Odalys Nanin and Angela Nicholas. Presented by Macha Theatre/Films. A visiting production at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble.
At the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025. Free parking onsite. Admission: $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Box Office: (310) 477-2055
ONLINE TICKETING: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/love-struck-tickets-66479031573
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