Posted: 11/4/23 at 1:27pm
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.
Posted: 11/4/23 at 1:33pm
Prima Facie
700 Sundays
Latin History for Morons
Colin Quinn solo shows (Long Story Short, New York Story, Red State/Blue State, Small Talk)
Posted: 11/4/23 at 1:36pm
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.
Posted: 11/4/23 at 2:23pm
Whoopie Goldberg
Michael Moore: Terms of My Surrender
Jefferson Mays' A Christmas Carol
Ann (Holland Taylor)
Posted: 11/4/23 at 2:44pm
Buyer & Cellar with Michael Urie was one of the greatest things I ever saw
Posted: 11/4/23 at 2:50pm
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
Posted: 11/4/23 at 3:30pm
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"
Posted: 11/4/23 at 3:32pm
What the Constitution Means to Me (mostly a solo show)
Posted: 11/4/23 at 4:02pm
Fleabag
Kate
Hold These Truths
The Tricky Part
Girls & Boys
Harry Clarke
Posted: 11/4/23 at 4:10pm
Oh wow, how did I forget Harry Clarke?!! LOVED that play.
Posted: 11/4/23 at 5:20pm
Full Gallop (Mary Louise Wilson as Diana Vreeland)
Posted: 11/4/23 at 6:11pm
MARK TWAIN TONIGHT! - Hal Holbrook
THE BELLE OF AMHERST - Julie Harris
Posted: 11/4/23 at 6:46pm
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
Posted: 11/4/23 at 7:03pm
Prima Facie
Triple Threat (James T. Lane)
Ann (Holland Taylor)
Macbeth (Alan Cumming’s one-man schizophrenic fever dream production)
Posted: 11/5/23 at 7:28am
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
Posted: 11/5/23 at 9:40am
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.
Posted: 11/5/23 at 10:50am
THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING with Vanessa Redgrave
Posted: 11/5/23 at 11:32am
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)
Posted: 11/5/23 at 11:33am
Jefferson Mays’ A Christmas Carol was stunning to me.
Posted: 11/5/23 at 2:16pm
Thank you so much! I really appreciate everyone's input!
Posted: 11/6/23 at 4:47am
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.
Updated On: 11/6/23 at 04:47 AM
Posted: 11/6/23 at 7:11am
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 :)
