Intiman Theatre Presented Leni's Last Lament
The production explores the life of filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl through a cabaret-style performance in Seattle.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Performance Art
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The Intiman Theatre has brought the play Leni's Last Lament to the Erickson Theatre. The production, which stars Jodie Markell, features a cabaret-style portrayal of the controversial filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl.
Why it matters
The play provides a unique lens into the life of a director known for major 20th-century film works. It examines Riefenstahl's legacy through a performance that blends historical narrative with live music.
The production was originally staged at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe festival. The work follows Riefenstahl's career timeline, including the release of Triumph of the Will in 1935 and Olympia in 1938.
The players
Jodie Markell
She performs the title role as the portrayal of Leni Riefenstahl.
Intiman Theatre
This is the Seattle-based organization producing the play.
Leni Riefenstahl
She was a prominent filmmaker who directed the 1935 film Triumph of the Will and the 1938 film Olympia.
Gil Kofman
He is the playwright who wrote Leni's Last Lament.
Richard Caliban
He is the director who oversaw the stage production.
The details
Jodie Markell performs the title role in the play written by Gil Kofman and directed by Richard Caliban. The stage design incorporates film clips, strips of celluloid hanging from the ceiling, and furniture, while Adam Hendricks provides accordion accompaniment.
Timeline
The 1935 film Triumph of the Will was released by Leni Riefenstahl.
The 1938 film Olympia was released by Leni Riefenstahl.
Photography books about the Nuba people were published by Riefenstahl in the 1970s.
Leni's Last Lament was originally produced at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2025.
The production runs at the Erickson Theatre in October 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The production follows the established trend of regional theaters importing successful works from the Edinburgh Fringe. This staging at the Erickson Theatre positions the Intiman Theatre within a global network of performance art exchange.
Seattle theatergoers can experience this cabaret-style performance at the Erickson Theatre during its October 2026 run. Attendees will view the production's use of projected film clips and unique props that recreate the filmmaker's historical aesthetic.
The takeaway
This performance piece highlights how experimental staging can be used to re-examine historical figures on stage. Audiences interested in the intersection of film history and live theater may find the production's use of multimedia elements a noteworthy example of modern performance art.
Further reading
Explore more local arts coverage in the Performance Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Yakima Herald-Republic.
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