Cynthia Bashore

Every great actress has as a defining characteristic - a distant, transcendent quality. In the phenomenal off-Broadway play Sleep No More, Ava Lee Scott’s portrayal of Annabella, the mystical fortune teller who transcends the fine line between reality and spirituality, is incredibly engaging.

Annabella has an eccentric beauty.  Her numinous voice and enchanting nature reveal the intense and unique preparation that Ava Lee Scott gives to every performance.  From Annabella’s alchemist herbs, rocks and potions, to her captivating costumes and seemingly effortless ability to engage guests to reveal their own personal travesties and tribulations, what you see is Ava’s complete immersion into another personality.  And that personality is as real as the actress herself.  Ava’s portrayal of Annabella is both powerful and profound.  She constructs Annabella as a cultured and compassionate “fortune teller” who will read your palm, tarot cards and present you with secret personalized potions.  Ava’s perfect portrayal of the fortune teller Annabella is so authentic that I now believe it is, in fact, possible to discern precognitive phenomena in our lives. The first night I met Annabella I found myself following her life-changing advice.  The magic that Ava presents in Annabella has empowered this fictional character to change the way I live my life.  I have a peace now that I never before experienced. 

Annabella reveals Ava Lee Scott’s complete passion for acting, for performing, for her audience.  Ava’s passion shines through Annabella and in every emotion she creates for her personal audience.  Ava is able to effortlessly slip into Annabella’s persona and make her audience believe every word she says; every story she tells. 

It is rare to find an actor like Ava –once you meet her character, you cannot take your mind off of her wisdom; she is captivating and bright.  It is like magic, and you don’t want it to stop.

© Cynthia Bashore 2012