You might know classic Hollywood actor Mary Astor from The Maltese Falcon or Meet Me in St. Louis, but in 1936 her name was splashed across newspapers for a very different reason. Astor was entrenched in a messy custody battle with her ex-husband, and at the center of what was then deemed “the trial of the century” was Mary Astor’s own salacious diary.
90 years later, this saga is retold through a new show: Mary Astor’s Purple Diary (The Musical), based on a book by renowned illustrator Ed Sorel. The musical is written by award-winning cabaret performers and husband and wife team Michael Garin and Mardie Millit – Garin the music and lyrics, Millit the book.
This "fizzy little cocktail of a musical" as they lovingly refer to it, will have its second staged reading ever at New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch on Monday, October 26th. Mardie and Michael join the podcast to chat about the fascinating story behind the musical as well as their creative process. While the show is still in its nascent stages, they have terrific demo tracks that we’ll play little clips of throughout to give you a taste, featuring the voices of Michael and Mardie as well as Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin singing the part of Mary Astor and Broadway’s Max Crumm as Ed Sorel.
Friday, October 16, 2026
@ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
Rahway, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, October 16, 2026
@ 7:30pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
Manasquan, NJ
Friday, October 16, 2026
@ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, October 16, 2026
@ 7:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, October 16, 2026
@ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
The original Broadway sensation returns to STNJ! Celebrating 20 years—Jersey style!
