Roxana Baldovin: The Livewire Behind ‘MANIC’
Award-winning director, performer, and maximalist visionary Roxana Baldovin is crashing through the boundaries of cabaret, comedy, and confession with her solo show, MANIC—a musical meltdown for anyone who’s ever wanted to be adored, or at least algorithmically liked.
“MANIC isn’t mentally ill—it’s alive with pleasure!”
If you’ve watched a viral music video from Doja Cat, Snoop Dogg, or Maluma, odds are you’ve seen Roxana’s unmistakable visual stamp. Her directorial style is “bright, colorful, joyful,” and as she puts it:
“Minimal is overdone—less is less, more is more!”
But MANIC is something else entirely—a genre-defying, high-voltage solo performance that fuses original show tunes, Weird Al–style parodies, and a cabaret confession booth into one unforgettable, unhinged ride.
The Spark: “New York, New York” (But Not As You Know It)
“I got really high at my complex pool and started singing a parody of ‘New York, New York.’ That parody became the closing number of the whole show.”
That’s how MANIC was born—out of a flash of inspiration, a little weed, and a lot of guts. Roxana’s work lives at the intersection of camp, chaos, and catharsis, and MANIC is her most personal project yet.
14 Characters, One Stage, Zero Apologies
Roxana shapeshifts through over 14 characters, from a sharp-tongued Ukrainian grandmother to a chorus of shadow feelings to Corny Collins (yes, that Corny Collins).
“Insecurita scares me, but she’s easy to play because our inner critic is always the loudest. They all feel like home—except Corny Collins, who made me realize just how girly I really am.”
This isn’t just a one-woman show. It’s a cast party in Roxana’s head, and everyone’s invited.
The Chaos and Confession of Cabaret
The Chaos and Confession of Cabaret“The burlesque mermaid part, for sure—wardrobe malfunctions are always looming! There are three layers of undressing, and one tiny slip of fabric that really doesn’t look cute when it’s out of place.”
MANIC is fearless in its vulnerability. It’s confessional, chaotic, and deeply funny—often at Roxana’s own expense.
“The whole show comes from the pain of chasing a childhood dream and realizing you’ve been dreaming adjacent. Creating it has been incredibly healing for my inner child.”
From Doja Cat to Hollywood Fringe
From Doja Cat to Hollywood FringeAfter directing for Doja Cat, Snoop Dogg, and Disney, MANIC was a return to roots:
“It was a total breath of fresh air. No one to answer to—I was finally creating for myself.”
“Each audience reacts so differently, it’s wild. Definitely stepping onstage is more nerve-wracking than dropping a viral clip.”
Fringe, Fame, and Finding Home
A Hollywood Fringe standout, Roxana’s weirdest moment might be dressing up as Madam Tsiganka and meeting all the popes from Oh Constantine—“that moment marked my reentry into theatre and felt like theatre camp in the best way.”
She’s no stranger to the big stage either: as a breakout contestant on HBO’s Project Greenlight, Roxana pitched a million-dollar feature and proved she could hold her own with industry titans.
“How the judges put me down just for being confident. For a show meant to empower women, it was honestly pretty shocking.”
Maximalism, Magic, and Making Space
Maximalism, Magic, and Making Space“I grew up with a maximalist mom and aunt, so it’s actually my comfort zone.”
Roxana’s visuals are a riot of color and energy, always grounded in story:
“I’m rooted in magical realism, so the fantastical always supports the story’s message. Think 100 Years of Solitude—real but laced with metaphor.”
Queer, Camp, and Unapologetically Now
As a queer Latina creative, Roxana’s work is all about inclusion, absurdity, and the freedom to be fully yourself.
“Chappell Roan being such a pop star right now says it all. She’s queer, camp, femininity embodied.”
Her advice for young Latina directors?
“Put yourself out there and don’t dumb yourself down for the boys. I got the nickname señora directora when Tokischa‘s manager said I was the first female director he’d ever met—now everyone calls me that.”
The Viral Touch
The Viral TouchWith over a billion views on her music videos, Roxana knows a thing or two about virality. But she’ll tell you:
“Definitely stepping onstage—you never know what’ll happen. Each audience reacts so differently, it’s wild.”
Her favorite absurd commercial moment?
“Snoop Dogg chilling inside a champagne bottle as a ‘G in the Bottle.’”
The Dream (and the Reality)
Roxana’s dream projects?
“Sirens of Titan, Reincarnation Blues, a Clueless reboot, or the Britney biopic—I love big, millennial, franchise-y things. Someone once said I have ‘Marvel energy’ and it’s the best compliment I’ve ever gotten.”
And her definition of success now?
“Success means living on your own terms, being free, and having your voice heard. I’m not all the way there yet—but I’m on my way :)”
Where to Find Roxana Baldovin