Educating Rita as Rita and Edward Herrmann as Frank. The production was directed by Bruce Paltrow and was critically acclaim with critics touting McKenzie's performance as "wonderfully beguiling and irrepressible...one of the best performances of the year". From 26 March-8 May 2010, as part of the Willy Russell season at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Laura Dos Santos reprised her radio performance on stage as Rita alongside Larry Lamb as Frank. This was the production's first London West End revival. This production transferred to the Trafalgar Studios in London's West End from 8 July-30 October 2010, produced by Sonia Friedman. Laura Dos Santos
Rita Lakin wrote or co-authored two original theatrical plays, "No Language But a Cry" and "Saturday Night at Grossinger's". Rita Lakin has won nominations and awards for her writing including the Writers Guild of America Award, the Edgar Allan Poe Award and the Avery Hopwood Award from the University of Michigan. Rita Lakin has written 464 episodes, eight movies of the week, and two miniseries, spanning 30 television productions. She is also the creator of the crime drama series "The Rookies" and the prime time soap "Flamingo Road", and co-creator with Howard Lakin and Frank Furino of the US medical drama "Nightingales"