Best Two Person Shows

[NameGreg]

Posted: 4/1/21 at 11:37am

What are the best shows that are either just two actors or primarily two actors?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/1/21 at 5:42pm

Two For The Seesaw

Don't know why it's never been revived.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/1/21 at 6:13pm

The Last Five Years

Topdog/Underdog

Red

The recent Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

[Ravenclaw]

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!

[JBroadway]

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. 

[TrChSpHa]

Posted: 4/1/21 at 9:18pm

Venus in Fur.

[ggersten]

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

 

[Alex Kulak2]

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.

[JBroadway]

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). 

[George in DC]

Posted: 4/2/21 at 8:43am

"Talley's Folly" by Lanford Wilson is my personal favorite two person play.

[Broadway61004]

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.

[Alex Kulak2]

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.

[Jarethan]

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.

[tomwsjr]

Posted: 4/3/21 at 9:23pm

Night mother

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 4/3/21 at 10:40pm

I Do I Do

[Sutton Ross]

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. 

[George in DC]

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.

 

[Jarethan]

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.

 

 

[HogansHero]

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.