Broadway Star Joined: 10/6/18
I’m doing a research project and was wondering what your favorite solo shows are? It can be in based in standup like Mike Birbiglia, a musical memoir like The Lion, or more narrative-based like Prima Facie. I can list so many of these plays but I’m curious what other people are drawn to.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/3/17
Prima Facie
700 Sundays
Latin History for Morons
Colin Quinn solo shows (Long Story Short, New York Story, Red State/Blue State, Small Talk)
Elaine Stritch at Liberty
Bea Arthur on Broadway
I never actually saw them, but I've listened to and loved them. I will listen again and and again.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/29/14
Whoopie Goldberg
Michael Moore: Terms of My Surrender
Jefferson Mays' A Christmas Carol
Ann (Holland Taylor)
Buyer & Cellar with Michael Urie was one of the greatest things I ever saw
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/21
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe
Buyer and Cellar
Prima Facie
Elaine Stritch At Liberty
Fires in the Mirror: Crown Heights, Brooklyn and Other Identities
I Am My Own Wife
Featured Actor Joined: 5/26/23
I Am My Own Wife, of course
Here's an unpopular one:
Bella Bella by Harvey Fierstein
I think it's really brilliant, most people think it's a "drag"
What the Constitution Means to Me (mostly a solo show)
Featured Actor Joined: 12/8/15
Fleabag
Kate
Hold These Truths
The Tricky Part
Girls & Boys
Harry Clarke
Oh wow, how did I forget Harry Clarke?!! LOVED that play.
Full Gallop (Mary Louise Wilson as Diana Vreeland)
MARK TWAIN TONIGHT! - Hal Holbrook
THE BELLE OF AMHERST - Julie Harris
Prima Facie
Elaine Stritch at Liberty
I Am My Own Wife
A Christmas Carol - Jefferson Mays
A Christmas Carol - Patrick Stewart
Mark Twain Tonight - Hal Holbrook
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe - Lily Tomlin
Rose - Olympia Dukakis
Prima Facie
Triple Threat (James T. Lane)
Ann (Holland Taylor)
Macbeth (Alan Cumming’s one-man schizophrenic fever dream production)
An Iliad
Sea Wall (extremely depressing but well written)
Faith Healer (which is actually three actors doing their own interconnected solo pieces)
I second Harry Clarke
700 Sundays is definitely a favorite. This year I also caught Robert Montano’s Small about his misunderstood life as a jockey which I really liked and would love to see again.
Swing Joined: 11/5/23
THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING with Vanessa Redgrave
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
Ones not already listed, but higher up the list for me:
— Zoe Caldwell in Lillian
— Henry Fonda in Clarence Darrow
— BP in Act 1 of Song and Dance (Tony Award)
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
Jefferson Mays’ A Christmas Carol was stunning to me.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/6/18
Thank you so much! I really appreciate everyone's input!
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/26/16
Fordham2015 said: "Prima Facie
700 Sundays
Latin History for Morons
Colin Quinn solo shows (Long Story Short, New York Story, Red State/Blue State, Small Talk)"
You have impeccable taste. Didn't see Prima Facie but the others you mention were all first rate. I love Colin Quinn and will see anything he does. He's brilliant. And don't forget about Unconstitutional.
I would also 3rd Harry Clarke.
I would add to the list A Bronx Tale when Chazz Palminteri did it as a one man show before it became a full blown musical.
Ruben Santiago-Hudson both for Lackawanna Blues and August Wilson's How I Learned What I Learned.
Stephen Lang's show Beyond Glory
And lastly the late Roger Rees with What You Will.
Stand-by Joined: 6/17/22
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe Lily Tomlin
Appearing Nightly Lily Tomlin
The Belle of Amherst Julie Harris
All of Bette Midler's shows, but she did have bands and backup singers :)
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