[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Sonder Theatre Company and Astro Lab Productions have announced the Los Angeles premiere of Singularities and Safety Pins, a solo show written and performed by Carmella Riley and directed by Jennifer Green, at The Colony Theatre.
About Singularities and Safety Pins
In Singularities and Safety Pins, a woman uses humor and science to help her navigate a look back at her mother’s battle with cancer. The show explores themes of grief, loss, and the perils of motherhood. Said writer-performer Carmella Riley, “I wrote this play to not only process grief surrounding my mother’s death, but also to explore questions about family dynamics, the deep obligations of caretaking, and the ways that our family’s lore become the rules we live by. As I say in the show, ‘I have a complicated relationship with control.’ Am I trying to control myself? My mom? Or the laws of the entire universe?”
This production brings together the talents of a group of women from across the country – Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle – collaborating to amplify the stories of under-represented female voices on area stages. “We are very excited about this play, this collaboration, and this incredible production team — all women-led organizations,” said Erin Coomer, Astro Lab Productions CEO.
Originally developed at the acclaimed Piven Theatre Workshop and following a sold-out run in Chicago, Singularities toured to Seattle as part of Astro Lab Productions’ inaugural Starstuff Festival. Now, Sonder Theatre Company is thrilled to have it as part of its current season of local premieres. Matthew Herrmann is production manager.
The Team
Carmella Riley began her career in Chicago, where she cut her teeth at the renowned Piven Theatre and the legendary Second City and received a degree in Radio, Television, and Film from Northwestern University. TV credits include Modern Family, Brooklyn 99, The Young and the Restless, Alexa & Katie, and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. She has voiced characters on animated shows including Nature Cat on PBS and the Apple TV series Doug Unplugs. She is a proud member of SAG/AFTRA and the Television Academy and has been privileged to work alongside Academy Award-winners Viola Davis, Daniel Day Lewis, Robin Williams, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, JK Simmons, and Winona Ryder. Upcoming: feature thriller Down Below.
Jennifer Green is the artistic director of Piven Theatre Workshop and has been active in the Chicago theatre community for over 25 years as a director, literary adaptor, consultant, and teaching artist. She is a Theatre Communications Group New Generation Fellow. Directing credits include multiple Chicago and world premieres. She has been a teaching artist with Urban Gateways, Illinois Arts Council, Changing Worlds, DePaul University, and National-Louis University. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and is currently an adjunct faculty member within Northwestern’s Master’s Program of Learning and Organizational Change where she teaches applied improvisation.
Astro Lab Productions (ALP), a women-led theatre production company based in Seattle, Washington, is helmed by founder and CEO Erin Coomer and associate producer Paula Tharp. ALP is Tony-nominated and an Outer Critics Circle Award-winner for co-producing the Broadway premiere of John Proctor is the Villain. Upcoming projects include the West End premiere of that play, Billie Jean (which will hit Broadway in late summer 2026), and The Interestings, with music by Sara Bareilles and book by Sarah Ruhl and Meg Wolitzer (scheduled for its first production at Berkeley Rep). Their new musical, Signs of Life, has book, music, and lyrics by Christopher DeLair and was released as a concept album in March 2026 with two concerts, one in partnership with STG at Seattle’s Neptune Theatre and another at Jazz at Lincoln Center in April 2026. It is currently in development for a full production.
Sonder Theatre Company, under the management of founder and artistic director Christina Harris, was founded in 2024. Through Sonder, Harris’s goal is to champion artists of all backgrounds and levels of experience, to explore new theatrical works, host community-building events, develop educational outreach initiatives, and create a network of proactive voices to promote positive change within our communities. Sonder provides a creative space for all who wish to explore the profound impact of building community through storytelling. Sonder is currently producing The Women of Lockerbie, featuring a cast of professional actors and community members, highlighting Sonder’s mission to provide a space of artistic integrity to anyone, regardless of background or experience.