JOAN FREED as Divinity, one of several characters she plays in her one-woman show “Chocolate Confessions.”

Freed is back with ‘Chocolate Confessions’ at Trade Center Theater through Nov. 18

By Jewish Review

Joan Freed’s one-woman musical comedy "Chocolate Confessions" opens at Portland’s World Trade Center Theater, 25 SW Salmon, on Sept. 14 and continues through Nov. 18.

The show follows the antics of chocolate shop owner Coco Bliss and her mixed assortment of hilarious customers. Each patron has a passion for chocolate and a deep, dark secret to share through song.

More than a dozen characters are portrayed in this musical comedy with uproarious vignettes, including the shocking origins of M&M’s and the amazing story of the chocolate chip cookie.

"Chocolate Confessions " has played to rave reviews in 25 cities across the country. The show returns to Portland with many new songs and sketches for its first extended run here since its impressive 21 weeks at the Portland Art Museum’s Commandery Theater nearly five years ago.

The theater lobby will offer a decadent chocolate celebration, with an elegant array of tantalizing treats for purchase and copious chocolate-related displays.

Freed, a Portland-area actress, created "Chocolate Confessions." She appeared earlier this year as the Iowa Housewife in Portland’s popular "Menopause the Musical," which broke box office records at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts where it played for nearly one year with 300 performances.

Freed began writing and performing original one-woman musical comedies in 1999. Her first show "Crossword Puzzle" was presented at a variety of local venues, including McMenamins Kennedy School Theater, the Scottish Rite Theater and Portland Center for the Performing Arts Brunish Hall.

The success of "Chocolate Confessions" has lead to engagements in Eugene’s Hult Center, Astoria’s Historic Liberty Theatre, Ashland’s Oregon Stage Works, Tacoma’s Musical Playhouse, Helena’s Civic Auditorium, North Carolina’s famed Oakboro Music Hall, and New York City’s renowned cabaret club Don’t Tell Mama.

Freed also created and starred in the show "Make Mine Mocha!." That show enjoyed sold-out performances at the Lakewood Center for the Arts during its four-week run.

Her newest program "So… You Wanna Be in Showbiz?" is a musical cabaret chronicling her unconventional journey from the business world to her life as an entertainer.

Freed grew up in Los Angeles. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Occidental College.

After completing a MA in Math from UCLA, she entered the actuarial profession. Joan served as managing actuary for a global financial services firm for 20 years before pursuing her long-held dreams of musical theater performance.

Freed lives in Lake Oswego with her husband and college sweetheart, Bruce, and is the proud mother of Marie, Adam, and Noah, who continue to encourage and inspire her.

"Chocolate Confessions" plays Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $29 general admission and $27 each for groups of eight or more.

Make reservations at www.chocolate confessions.com or call 503-784-6220.

Portland’s World Trade Center Theater is located at 25 SW Salmon St.