Jackie, Baby!
is a one-woman solo-show set backstage in 1934 Hollywood, as talking pictures begin to replace vaudeville.
Jackie, a once-celebrated star, prepares to return to the stage while reckoning with love, aging, ambition, and what it truly means to be seen.
Written and Performed by:
Cylie Janiece
Writer.
Vibe-Setter.
Co-conspirator.
Amusing dinner guest.
ABOUT Cylie JanieceCylie Janiece is a writer, performer, and producer with a background in theater operations and live performance.
Jackie, Baby! was born from a desire to return not only to the stage, but to authorship, stewardship, and the full experience of making theater from the ground up.
This piece reflects a belief in live performance as an exchange, one built on trust, attention, and shared presence.
Visit again for photos of Cylie Janiece building the set!
Come back for pictures of Cylie Janiece making the costumes.
Photos to come!
About the show:
Set in a cramped backstage dressing room in 1934 Los Angeles, Jackie, Baby! follows Jackie Beverly, a vaudeville star facing the end of her career as sound film reshapes the entertainment industry.
As she prepares for a pivotal performance, Jackie navigates shifting power dynamics, complicated love, and the physical toll of a life spent performing.
Through clown, ritual, and humor, the play explores resilience, visibility, and the cost of continuing to create in a world that keeps changing.
Welcome
Thank you for being here.
Jackie, Baby! is a love letter to audiences and to the act of gathering together in a room to witness something live. In a world that keeps changing, this piece honors the courage it takes to keep showing up, to keep creating, and to keep choosing presence.
This show was built with care, humor, and deep respect for the people sitting in the seats. Whether you’ve come out of curiosity, nostalgia, or simply a desire to be surprised, I’m grateful you’re here.
— Cylie
Characters
Jackie Beverly
A once-celebrated vaudeville star confronting the end of her career and the woman beneath the act. Performer, clown, and emotional center of the play.
Preacher
A recurring figure functioning as a Greek chorus, embodying moral authority, ritual, and societal judgment.
Susan
Jackie’s silent dresser and confidante; a grounding presence and witness to the action.
Donovan Daniels
Jackie’s devoted agent; charming, conflicted, and deeply tethered to Jackie’s past and present.
Rupert
A young stage manager. Gentle, capable, and sincere. A steady presence amid the emotional intensity of the theater.
Location
The Zephyr Theatre
7456 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Show Dates
Friday, June 5th *Preview
House opens at 5:10pm
Curtain at 5:40pm
Sunday, June 7th *Preview
House opens at 12:40pm
Curtain at 1:10pm
Thursday, June 11th *Opening night!
House opens at 8:10pm
Curtain at 8:40pm
Saturday, June 13th
House opens at 5:25pm
Curtain at 5:55pm
Friday, June 19th
House opens at 7:40pm
Curtain at 8:10pm
Sunday, June 21st
House opens at 3:40pm
Curtain at 4:10pm
Thursday, June 25th
House opens at 7:10pm
Curtain at 7:40pm
Saturday, June 27th *Closing night
House opens at 9:10pm
Curtain at 9:40pm
Thank you!
“I don’t perform because I’m fearless. I perform because I believe showing up, again and again, is how we stay alive.”
- Cylie Janiece