For over 15 years, a local playwright researched the life of a Scottsdale-based con woman turned advocate for criminal-justice reform.
But the new one-woman-show — “STUNG!" — promises to reveal hidden truths about the late Sue Ellen Allen. It opens Thursday at the Holland Theater in north Scottsdale and runs through Sunday.
At 57, Allen was sent to an Arizona prison for securities fraud. She became a well-known advocate for reform, was invited to the White House by two presidents, wrote a memoir and now, in death, is the subject of a play.
Andrea Markowitz, the Desert Foothills Theater's playwright-in-residence, said she discovered hidden aspects of Allen’s complicated life.
"When I was ready to write the play, I felt that I had enough evidence to write a really balanced life story that included things that Sue Ellen Allen did not reveal to the public after she was released from prison," Markowitz said.
Markowitz met Allen in 2010.
"I truly believe that she believed she did not do anything wrong, and that she had nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to hide," Markowitz said.
Markowitz says her goal for "STUNG!" was to create a well balanced and fair portrayal of Allen.
“I’m just going to lay out the evidence and let people in the audience decide for themselves, because I don’t want to make up anyone else’s mind," Markowitz said.
The play has one character: Sue Ellen Allen herself, portrayed by local actress Patricia Drapac.
Drapac says she has mixed emotions about Allen.
“I think there are a lot of things she could and is credited for that are good, but I think it took a lot for her to change her demeanor and ways," Drapac said.
The theater's producing artistic director, Sandi Carll, says it was important that she schedule "STUNG!" as the finale show of the theater's 50th anniversary season.
"It kind of celebrates a new page, it celebrates a new work going forward," Carll said. "It honors somebody who is a local subject matter as well as provides an opportunity for our community to understand that we support new works and artists like Andrea [Markowitz]."
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