Several characters in the staged reading of the musical “Dirty Blonde” are portrayed by Bryan Lelek, left, and Marcus Liotta. Their characters include W.C. Fields and a 1920s show business director with a troublesome problem to resolve.

Few film actresses of the last century stirred more controversy than Mae West, who made a career battling censors.

The larger-than-life icon is the focus on the latest production staged by the Ten Fifteen Theater in Astoria. “Dirty Blonde” will have performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the storefront venue.

Director Ann Bronson has designed a staged reading of the show, which includes songs from “I’m No Angel” and “She Done Him Wrong.” The play’s title is from one of West’s memorable quotes, “I made myself platinum, but I was born a dirty blonde.”

‘Dirty Blonde’

A musical staged reading by Claudia Shear, directed by Ann Bronson

The Ten Fifteen Theater, 1015 Commercial St., Astoria, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, admission is $20

www.thetenfifteentheater.com

The Tony Award-nominated 2000 play was written by actress Claudia Shear with James Lapine, a longtime collaborator of music legend Stephen Sondheim. “Sister Act” scene-stealer Kathy Najimy replaced Shear during the year-long Broadway run.

Bronson has a lengthy background in music and theater on the North Coast and was at the helm of the troupe’s “Birds of a Feather” a year ago. “This is not a full-out musical,” she said, “but people will be familiar with some of the songs.”

West died in 1980 after a seven-decade career as a singer, actress and comedian. Her screen characters were brash and forward, but she was controversial well before breaking into movies in 1932.

In her younger years, she wrote plays performed on Broadway which angered conservatives because they promoted sexual freedom and highlighted police brutality against gay men. One earned her a 10-day jail sentence.

West’s life has inspired Bronson. “She was a brave woman, a trailblazer,” Bronson added. “She has always been somebody who I have enjoyed her take on things.”

The production features Katherine Lacaze, Bryan Lelek and Marcus Liotta in multiple roles. Action shifts back from the modern era to events during West’s life.

As well as portraying West, Lacaze plays an aspiring actress who meets another Mae West fan, played by Lelek. His character is a film nerd who works in the New York Public Library’s archives.

Initially, the two fans’ only connection is their mutual obsession with West. They meet at her grave in Brooklyn, New York.

Liotta plays a multitude of characters, flashing back between the 1920s and the modern era. “I am really excited about this, because the ‘20s are a beautiful time — and Mae West is someone I am particularly interested in,” said Liotta. “It’s a huge opportunity to be in this play. I have five characters that are totally different and that’s always fun to do.”

Bronson’s backstage team includes Heidi Hoffman as assistant director and stage manager, Marco Davis as costume designer and Slab Slabinski working on lights and sound.

Although there was some music in two recent shows, it is a first for the troupe. “This will be Ten Fifteen’s first small step into musical theater,” Danyelle Tinker, executive director of Ten Fifteen Theater, said.