Love, Linda: The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter

LOVE, LINDA: THE LIFE OF MRS. COLE PORTER, is a one-woman, tour de force musical and theatrical journey, created by acclaimed jazz vocalist Stevie Holland and award-winning composer Gary William Friedman. LOVE, LINDA, tells the story of Linda Lee Thomas, the Southern beauty who was the driving force behind legendary songwriter Cole Porter at the dawn of the roaring twenties. Though Cole Porter was gay, their companionship and love lasted through 35 years of marriage and together they lived a spectacular, glamour-filled life. With innovative arrangements by Gary William Friedman, Cole Porter’s timeless music and lyrics weave through the compelling narrative, celebrating the deep love that Linda and Cole shared, while examining the darker sides of their life. The score for LOVE, LINDA includes such beloved Porter songs as “Night and Day”, “I Love Paris,” “In the Still of the Night” and “Love for Sale.”

Sandra Ochoa Rice is an accomplished actor, singer, dancer, director, choreographer, music director and Cabaret Performer known for her compelling performances and dynamic stage presence. She has an extensive background in theatre, having performed in numerous theatres and stages throughout Southern California. Her credits include Betty Haynes in White Christmas at La Mirada Performing Arts and Pechanga Theatre, Nancy in Oliver! at the Laguna Playhouse, Morticia Addams in The Addams Family Musical and Fraulein Kost in Cabaret at the Lewis Family Playhouse, Soul Sister in Jesus Christ Superstar at The Moonlight Amphitheater, Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods at Center Stage Theatre, Aldonza in Man Of La Mancha, Grizabella in CATS, Daniela in In The Heights all at the Historic California Theatre, Paquette in Candide with the San Bernardino Symphony, Lola in Damn Yankees and Susan in Company at the Candlelight Pavilion, Cha Cha in the staged reading of America Tropical at Musical Theatre West. Sandra’s Cabaret Credits include venues at CCAE Theatricals in Escondido, Cabaret Over the Stars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and the Queen Mary in Long Beach.

Her latest project, Love Linda, marks a personal milestone in her career, as she takes on the challenge of a one-woman show. Through this performance, she explores the life of Linda Porter, the wife of the legendary musical genius of the Great American Songbook writer and composer Cole Porter. Bringing a unique and intimate perspective to the stage, the show showcases her storytelling and skill in weaving together monologues and songs to share the true life love story between a power couple that shaped the music of the silver screen and Broadway theatre. In addition to her work on stage, Sandra is passionate about acting for the screen, as she has appeared in an episode of the television show Veronica Mars and played a supporting role in the Indie Film The Enchanted Cottage. Sandra also had the honor of performing with Josh Groban at the Kodak Theater in his STAGES Concert Tour.

For more information, visit www.SandraOchoaRice.com