Showstoping monologues?

[all that jazz]

Posted: 9/12/13 at 9:59pm

My acting class is producing a monologue festival, and I'm having trouble finding a piece that really stands out from the rest. I want something very powerful, dynamic and over the top? Does anyone have any suggestions?

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 9/12/13 at 10:04pm

Ralph's first monologue in FROZEN is chilling and different. And takes serious chops. I always enjoy the Sam Byck monologues from ASSASSINS as well. Especially the Lenny Bernstein one (and most people do the other).

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/12/13 at 10:20pm

David Hyde Pierce in Banyan and his rant on the 50's. Sheer brilliance

[AC126748]

Posted: 9/12/13 at 10:25pm

Emma's NIH monologue in The Normal Heart
Sonia's telephone monologue in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Blanche's monologue in Streetcar ("He was a boy, just a boy, and I was a very young girl...")

[Kad]

Posted: 9/12/13 at 10:26pm

You mean Vanya... Banyan is a type of tree.

For your age, look at Justin from Assistance, by Leslye Headland.

If you want something much beyond your age, but is basically a show stopping aria of a monologue, look at Art by Yasmina Reza.

Also, Ronnie's monologue in House of Blue Leaves, by John Guare.

ATJ is asking for monologues he (a young man) can do. Not just any memorable monologue that pops up.

Updated On: 9/12/13 at 10:26 PM

[all that jazz]

Posted: 9/12/13 at 10:31pm

Thanks for clarifying, Kad!

I forgot to mention I'm an 18 year old male.

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/12/13 at 11:10pm

Paul's monologue in A Chorus Line.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 9/12/13 at 11:16pm

Nixon's monologue. The phone call to Frost. HOLY CRAP!

Langella's ovation when I saw it tore the roof off the Jacobs.

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 9/13/13 at 2:22am

If you are really after a showstopper...try Valere's monologue in La Bête. 25-30 minutes long and in rhyme. That's if you want a real showstopper.

[jnb9872]

Posted: 9/13/13 at 7:34am

There is also, of course, Lenny's showstopping comic aria towards the end of RUMORS. That one is certainly over the top, though a little old for you ATJ, but I've seen HS students do Neil Simon so it's not impossible to stretch that.

[someone.else's.story2]

Posted: 9/14/13 at 12:26pm

If you're a younger guy and want something contemporary, the two soldiers in Bengal Tiger have some great ones.

[The Josh]

Posted: 9/14/13 at 1:31pm

If you like Bengal Tiger, look at Gruesome Playground Injuries. Some great monologues in there.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 9/14/13 at 7:15pm

Thanks guys!! I'll definitely check those out.

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 9/14/13 at 7:22pm

Yvan's monologue from ART is amazing if done well!

[The Glenbuck Laird]

Posted: 9/14/13 at 8:25pm

I'd look no further than Shakespeare for the show stopper.

But my personal favourite monologue is Aston's in Harold Pinter's The Caretaker.

Colin Firth does a wonderful version which is on youtube