At the end of the opening number, the Theatre Police arrive threatening to close down the show. They cite Tamarie for being in violation of the Ingénue Code, which relegates all actresses over the age of 40 to play character roles like nosy neighbors, crazy aunts, and dotty maids.

The only way to save the show is to recast the role of Tamarie with a younger actress. Removed from her own show, Tamarie attempts to connect with the youth of today in order to demonstrate her suitability to play the role of herself.

Tamarie Cooper’s Old as Hell! features a live orchestra, an original score, an enormous cast, and more singing, dancing, and over-the-top hilarity than you can throw a pie at.

The Playwrights

TAMARIE COOPER

Tamarie is the Producing Artistic Director of The Catastrophic Theatre. She has been performing her entire life. She co-founded The Catastrophic Theatre in 2007 with longtime collaborator and dear friend, Jason Nodler. Originally trained in dance, she began working in theatre at HSPVA and helped to found Infernal Bridegroom Productions in 1993, where she worked for fourteen years. She is a seasoned actor, director, designer, choreographer, and occasional writer, with over 90 production credits with IBP and The Catastrophic Theatre. Tamarie is best known for her original musicals, which enjoy highly successful runs and a cult-like following in Houston. Tamarie has been featured in national trade magazine Stage Directions, named “Best Female Actor” in Outsmart Magazine‘s annual Gayest and Greatest Readers’ Choice Awards and has received various “Best of Houston” awards from The Houston Press and The Houston Chronicle for her performances, direction, and original work. Directing credits: Tamarie's Texas Toast, Tamarie’s Totally True Revue, Tamarie Cooper’s Live In-Person Sticky Sweet Summer Show, Drama Squad, Tamarie Cooper’s Golden Jubilee!,Tamarie Cooper’s Holiday Super Show!, Tamarie Cooper’s 2020: Quarantine Edition!, Tragedy: a tragedy, Speeding Motorcycle (co-directed with Jason Nodler), Tamarie Cooper’s Field Trip, Small Ball (co-directed with Jason Nodler), Tamarie’s Evening of Mistakes and Regrets, Rhinoceros(2017), Trevor, Tamarie for President (Greatest Hits, Volume 2),The University of Tamarie, A Very Tamarie Christmas, Tamarie Cooper’sOld as Hell!, Tamarie Cooper’s Doomsday Revue, The United StatesofTamarie, Tamarie Cooper’s Journey to the Center of my Brain (in 3D!), The TamarieCooper Show, Twenty Love Songs, Uncle Vanya, Tamalalia X: The Greatest Hits Show, Tamalalia 9: Face Your Fears, Tamalalia 8: Tamarie Goes to Hollywood, Rhinoceros (2003), Tamalalia 7: The Love Show, Tamarie’s Gin Jar Jamboree, Tamalalia 2000, Tamalalia 4: The Campout, Tamalalia 3: The Cocktail Party, Tamalalia 2: The Bus Show, Tamalalia!

Favorite Roles: It Is Magic (Deb), Happy Days (Winnie), Baby Screams Miracle (Carol), Toast (Beatrice), Small Ball (Female Reporter), Leap and the Net Will Appear (Simon), Song About Himself (Carol), Marieand Bruce (Marie), Hide Town (Miss Iva), Medea(Medea), A Soap Opera (Andrea), We Have Some Planes, Fucking A (Hester), Happy Days (Winnie), Guys and Dolls (Adelaide).

PATRICK REYNOLDS Patrick is a graduate of the Second City Writing Program in Chicago and holds a B.A. in History from the University of Houston. He co-wrote Tamarie Goes to Hollywood with Paul Locklear. He wrote the book for Tamarie Cooper: Journey to the Center of My Brain in 3-D!, The United States Of Tamarie: An All-American Revue (Made in China), Tamarie Cooper’s Doomsday Revue (The Greatest Musical Ever!), Tamarie Cooper’s Old as Hell, The University of Tamarie, A Very Tamarie Christmas, and The Tamarie Cooper Show: Field Trip! Additional credits for the Catastrophic Theatre include the St. Arnold’s Brewery promos.