Iconic Actress Irina Maleeva’s Pilot Short “Sunny’s Closet” to Screen at Road Theatre’s Short Films Night

Irina Maleeva, a famed international performer who has starred in movies, television, recordings, and on stage in both theater and cabaret performances, is turning her considerable talents toward developing her own TV series “Sunny’s Closet,” written and directed by Carlyle King (Amazon’s “Smothered 2” and “Mutant Olive 2.0”).

The “Sunny’s Closet” short—proof of concept pilot—will be featured as part of Road Theatre’s Short Film Night on Sunday, September 8th, at 4 PM, at the Road Theater 10747 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood. Ticket proceeds will benefit the theater.

In the series, reclusive Hollywood celebrity Solange “Sunny” Green (Maleeva) unexpectedly meets and rescues non-binary Lio (Jesse Leigh), and together the two navigate an unexpected friendship. Through Lio, Sunny rediscovers her joy of living as the two reach out to help underprivileged youths in the gritty streets of Los Angeles.

In addition, Louie Ski Carr and Mitch Hara co-star in the funny and touching dramedy. There is also an original song written for the film by Michele Brourman and Amanda McBroom.

About Irina Maleeva:

International sensation Maleeva was the daughter of a famed Bulgarian stage actress and an aristocratic Italian statesman. Maleeva first established herself as a child performer in her native Bulgaria, and from there her career and talents would bring her to the global stage. After being discovered at age 15 by legendary director Federico Fellini, Maleeva was jettisoned into the cinematic spotlight and performed in three of his highly acclaimed movies: Satyricon, Spirits of the Dead, and Roma. She went on to be cast by Orson Welles to play opposite him as Shylock’s daughter Jessica in “The Merchant of Venice,” which he also directed. The film was also directed by Welles, which Maleeva remembers being one of the best experiences of her life.

She went on to work with iconic Italian directors Luchino Visconti and Roberto Rossellini and played more than 30 leading roles in European and American films.

For her portrayal as a demented countess in the cult crime mystery film “Union City,”  Maleeva appeared opposite rockers Debbie Harry and Pat Benatar and won an award at the Toronto Film Festival, and “The Meddler” starring Susan Sarandon. American TV roles include guest star recurring in series “Days of Our Lives,”  “Bold and Beautiful,”  “Angel,”  “Just Shoot Me,”  “Six Feet Under,”  “Jane the Virgin,”  “Pensacola,”  “Heroes,” and “The Night Shift.” “For All Mankind,”  “Paul T. Goldman,”  “Aquarius, with David Duchovny.”.

About Carlyle King

King has been an award-winning actress, writer, director, and producer in the theater for more than 40 years. She holds an MFA from USC and studied with acclaimed drama teachers Uta Hagen, Kim Stanley, and Milton Katselas. She was co-artistic director at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills and co-created their successful One Act Festival that led to NY productions, an HBO show, and publications. In 2022, she directed “Smothered” for Amazon Prime and just finished directing the world premiere of “Bisexual Sadness” in Los Angeles.

In 2018, she directed Maleeva in the musical “Gypsy in My Soul” at the WACO Theater Center in the colorful North Hollywood Arts District.

Road Theatre

In July 1991, a group of dedicated theater artists and administrators came together to form The Road Theatre Company, a non-profit organization that produces theater under the Actors’ Equity Association Membership Company Rule. Today, The Road Theatre Company is 173 members strong and remains diligent in their tradition of investing in new artists, actors, writers, designers, producers, and technicians as part of our ensemble company.

They believe it is essential for the health of the American ethos to advance the larger theatrical conversation of our national culture. Through this dialogue, they animate and inspire both our artists and audiences with the realization that through art and action we are lifted into the searching of the soul, the revelation of humanity, the awareness that we are not alone, and the struggle to make sense of our existence on this earth—as it is and as we wish it to be.