NEW YORK, NY — As the historic Midtown International Theatre Festival (MITF) prepares for its triumphant return after a decade-long hiatus, a singular voice is rising to meet the moment. Written and performed by NY Innovative Theatre Award nominee Laura Hooper and directed by the award-winning Emma Canalese, “And This One’s True” is a raw, comedic, and heart-wrenching exploration of a life lived “whole-heartedly.”

Running from June 29th to July 4th at the American Theatre of Actors, the production serves as a premier centerpiece for the 2026 festival season, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the landmark venue.

A Destiny 92 Years in the Making

Based on real conversations, memoirs, and recordings of séances, the play follows Mamie Rae, a 92-year-old woman standing at death’s door. Despite her physical decline, Mamie is stubborn. She is reluctant to enter the afterlife until she has shared her story, believing the audience holds the literal key to her passage. Without their acceptance and admiration, she simply cannot let go.

From her childhood surviving a violent father in London to her career as a fit model and her eventual life as a farmer’s wife in New Zealand, Mamie’s journey is a masterclass in resilience. However, one obstacle remains: her wavering faith in her spiritual guide. Terrified of the “other side,” Mamie uses every tool at her disposal—puppetry, audience participation, and the mysterious art of “knee acting”—to reconcile her past before the clock runs out.

Inside the Creative Process: A Conversation with Laura Hooper

Translating Memoirs into Theatre

The play’s title, “And This One’s True,” comes directly from a phrase Mamie used after telling her favorite stories—leaving listeners wondering if the others were mere fabrications. Hooper discovered her grandmother’s memoirs only last summer, and the writing was so vivid it “screamed” to be put on stage.

“She writes a lot about being destined to be an actor. This destiny was unfortunately unrealized,” says Hooper. “I felt determined to get Mamie Rae onto the stage at long last.”

While the memoirs provided the “galloping pony” rhythm of the script, Hooper had to weave together 92 years of drama into a fast-moving theatrical experience. “As an actor, the boundaries between truth and invention are less clear. I do wonder how close my portrayal of her emotions is to what hers would have been.”

The Interactive Dynamic of “Passing Over”

The play places a fascinating responsibility on the crowd: they are Mamie’s jury and her ticket to the afterlife. Following a staged reading in April, Hooper noted that the experience was powerfully purgative for many.

“One spectator who worked in hospice said the play felt very similar to supporting those near the end of their lives,” Hooper shares. “But Mamie is an extremely lovable character. New Yorkers are quick to join in the banter—I just need to make sure I am as on the ball as they are!”

Balancing the Macabre with Joy

Though the play deals with mortality and the “terrifying transition” to whatever comes next, it is famously high-energy, featuring singalongs and laughter.

“The balance comes from Mamie’s personality,” explains Hooper. “She was one of five of ten siblings to survive childhood, lived through two world wars, domestic violence, two fires, and a near-death. She was brought up to face the macabre with laughter. As her spirit guide says, ‘Light always dispels the darkness.’ This play encourages us to find our light and let it sparkle.”

An International Creative Powerhouse

• Laura Hooper (Writer/Actor/Producer): A native Brit whose career spans Broadway (narrating Max Richter’s Blue Notebooks) to Off-Broadway leads (Tracks at 59E59).
• Emma Canalese (Director): An award-winning director and choreographer (Sandra Bates Director’s Award ’23) known for acclaimed productions across Australia and the US.

“This show is an invitation to witness the messy, beautiful, and sometimes terrifying transition from this life to whatever comes next,” says Hooper. “It’s about the stories we tell ourselves to survive—and the ones we must tell others to be free.”

Performance Schedule & Venue

All performances will take place at the American Theatre of Actors, 314 W. 54th St, New York, NY 10019.

• Monday, June 29 @ 6:00 PM
• Tuesday, June 30 @ 6:00 PM
• Saturday, July 4 @ 4:30 PM

Industry & Press: Performances are open to the press. For tickets and further information, visit the [Midtown International Theatre Festival Website].