Best Two Person Shows
Best Two Person Shows
Best Two Person Shows#1
Posted: 4/1/21 at 11:37amWhat are the best shows that are either just two actors or primarily two actors?
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Best Two Person Shows#2
Posted: 4/1/21 at 5:42pm
Two For The Seesaw
Don't know why it's never been revived.
Best Two Person Shows#3
Posted: 4/1/21 at 6:13pm
The Last Five Years
Topdog/Underdog
Red
The recent Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
Best Two Person Shows#4
Posted: 4/1/21 at 7:01pm
The Zoo Story, 'Night Mother, Happy Days, Love Letters, and Oleanna are the "classic" ones that come to mind. In recent years, Constellations, Guards at the Taj, Sex With Strangers, Venus in Fur, Blackbird, The Mountaintop, The Niceties, and Slowgirl have all been very popular at major regional theaters. As for musicals, the ones I can think of are The Last Five Years, John and Jen, Daddy Long Legs, and I Do! I Do!
Best Two Person Shows#5
Posted: 4/1/21 at 8:53pm
2-handers are tricky IMO. The simple back-and-forth is such a classic, distilled form of drama, that it can be difficult to pull it off in a way that feels distinct and human - too often it just feels like the playwright hashing out 2 sides of an argument, using the characters as mouthpieces. But anyway, here are some of my personal favorites:
--Constellations
--The Last Five Years
--Frankie and Johnny
--The Sound Inside
--The recent adaptation of Frankenstein at CSC
--Waiting for Godot (primarily 2 actors)
--Endgame (primarily 2 actors)
--True West (primarily 2 actors)
@Ravenclaw - if we're naming significant works, or "classics," I'd throw Dutchman in the mix as well.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
Best Two Person Shows#7
Posted: 4/1/21 at 9:34pm
I'd add for consideration, although I'm not sure I'd classify either as "best".
Same Time, Next Year
The Gin Game
Best Two Person Shows#8
Posted: 4/1/21 at 11:30pm
Blackbird is a two-hander, for the most part.
The Story of My Life is a pretty good musical that deserved a better Broadway production.
Best Two Person Shows#9
Posted: 4/1/21 at 11:48pm
Can't believe I forgot Story of My Life! One of my all-time favorites (though I see its flaws now more than when i first discovered it).
Best Two Person Shows#10
Posted: 4/2/21 at 8:43am
"Talley's Folly" by Lanford Wilson is my personal favorite two person play.
Best Two Person Shows#11
Posted: 4/2/21 at 9:46am
Greater Tuna has been a staple of regional and community theatres for years now. 'Night, Mother is another good one. And (in my opinion) the highly underrated Stones in His Pockets.
Best Two Person Shows#12
Posted: 4/2/21 at 10:18am
Danny And The Deep Blue Sea was a favorite in my college's movement class. It's probably John Patrick Shanley's second best play after Doubt.
Best Two Person Shows#13
Posted: 4/2/21 at 4:42pm
For me, #1 would be The Sound Inside, which I believe will eventually be hailed as a masterpiece. In terms of sheer enjoyment, I would probably choose Same Time, Next Year, with Ellen Burstyn and Charles Grodin. Night Mother was also shattering.
I don't think there are many musicals, but my favorites -- I Do! I Do! (with Mary Martin and Robert Preston) and the Adam & Eve portion of The Apple Tree (with Barbara Harris and Alan Alda) -- are special enough that either would still be on the list if there were a lot more two character musicals.
Leading Actor Joined: 5/9/05
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
Best Two Person Shows#16
Posted: 4/3/21 at 11:05pm
I saw a great production of "The Dumb Waiter" by Harold Pinter in Chicago about a decade ago. I loved it.
Best Two Person Shows#17
Posted: 4/4/21 at 1:54pm
Jarethan said: "I don't think there are many musicals, butmy favorites --I Do! I Do! (with Mary Martin and Robert Preston) and the Adam & Eve portion of The Apple Tree (with Barbara Harris and Alan Alda) -- are special enough that either would still be on the list if there were a lot more two character musicals."
Except for the fact that the Adam and Eve part of "The Apple Tree" has 3 characters.
Best Two Person Shows#18
Posted: 4/4/21 at 6:38pm
George in DC said: "Jarethan said: "I don't think there are many musicals, butmy favorites --I Do! I Do! (with Mary Martin and Robert Preston) and the Adam & Eve portion of The Apple Tree (with Barbara Harris and Alan Alda) -- are special enough that either would still be on the list if there were a lot more two character musicals."
Except for the fact that the Adam and Eve part of "The Apple Tree" has 3 characters.
You are right. The first act is so focused on Adam and Eve that I forgot the character that Larry Blyden played. He even had a good solo. I just think of Harris and Alda, particularly Harris.
Best Two Person Shows#19
Posted: 4/4/21 at 6:44pm
I wouldn't particularly say it's the best but The Two-Character Play, by Williams, is definitely interesting. Saw it at NWS some years ago.
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