'Letter from David': Albie Selznick's Glam-Rock Quest to Work With David Bowie Opens in Santa Monica
By Giovanna Salas
A teenage magician, an idol, and the glitter of the 1970s and 80s glam rock era: Letter from David is what its producers call the true, comedic and moving story of actor and professional magician Albie Selznick's youthful quest to work with David Bowie. Written by Selznick and Laura Maccabee, directed by Maccabee and starring Selznick, the solo show opens Sunday, October 18, at the Santa Monica Playhouse and plays Sunday evenings through December 20.
The production premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2026, where it was nominated for a Fringe Festival Planners Pick Award. Blending storytelling, magic and memory, it follows Selznick as he mimes, juggles and tightrope-walks his way through Los Angeles's theatre, club and rock scenes, with help from his performance troupe The Mums, and features narrative appearances by Andy Warhol and other cultural icons of the era.
“As a thirteen-year old who didn’t really fit in, David Bowie was this rare, bright spot. And I thought HE would get me,” Selznick explains. “I thought I was fated to work with him. And then all my problems would just go away. Delusional, sure, but it got me through adolescence. And it motivated me to reach out to him.”
Magician, Actor, Mum
Selznick created and performed Smoke and Mirrors, which the Los Angeles Times called “a brilliant theatrical magic show.” A lifetime member of The Magic Castle, he curated and hosted Magic Monday, a weekly magic showcase that ran for five years at the Santa Monica Playhouse, and he performed for three decades with his theatrical circus trio The Mums, of whom The Herald Examiner wrote, “The Mums do for the art of juggling and magic what Elvis did for Rock and Roll.” On screen, he can currently be seen as Michael Jackson's plastic surgeon in the film Michael.
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The Creative Team
The team includes sound and video editor and technical director David B. Marling, Q-lab designer David Svengalis, photographer and videographer Jay Lee, and featured artwork by Cathy Karol-Crowther. The show is produced by Albie Selznick, Laura Maccabee, Michelle Grant and David B. Marling.
Event Details
When: Opening night Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 7 p.m.; then every Sunday at 7 p.m. through December 20.
Where: Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Parking is available in municipal structure #1, across the street.
Tickets: $25 general admission; $17.50 for students, teachers, seniors and military; $15 each for groups of 10 or more. https://events.leapevents.com/event/letter-from-david
More information: https://www.santamonicaplayhouse.com/letter-from-david.html · (310) 394-9779
Production details and quotes are drawn from the press release provided by Susan Gordon Public Relations.
Sources
Santa Monica Playhouse, Letter from David: https://www.santamonicaplayhouse.com/letter-from-david.html
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