So Many One-Man Shows!

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 3/1/13 at 11:56pm

Does anyone understand the influx of all the one-man (or more appropriately one-woman) shows this season? We've got Ann currently playing to a couple people in previews. Still to come are I'll Eat You Last, Macbeth and The Testament of Mary.

I've never seen a one-man show because the concept of it kind of bores me although I wouldn't mind seeing Macbeth or I'll East You Last (only to see Bette).

What are people's experiences with one-man shows been? And why so many this season when I can't think of very many in recent memory much less this many at once?

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/2/13 at 12:01am

I've enjoyed almost all of the ones I've seen. Sometimes the play isn't great, but a powerful and commanding performance can sway you. ANN was long, but I was entertained and Taylor's performance is wonderful. But every now and then something special comes along... like Jefferson Mays' extraordinary I AM MY OWN WIFE. Now, THAT was something. One man, 40+ characters. Even more effective in his transformations than the also brilliant Anna Deveare-Smith.

[BIG BALONEY]

Posted: 3/2/13 at 12:08am

With high ticket costs. You can count me out.

[vlegra]

Posted: 3/2/13 at 12:59am

*The SCOTTISH PLAY* Mac***is going to be amazing. This will be Alan Cumming's best performance in his career. I'm thrilled to see this.
http://macbethonbroadway.com

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 3/2/13 at 1:15am

Hello, shill.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 3/2/13 at 7:10am

Wayne Brady is suppose to be bringing his one man show to Broadway later ths year, also.

Updated On: 3/2/13 at 07:10 AM

[mamaleh]

Posted: 3/2/13 at 10:13am

I was mesmerized by Tovah Feldshuh in GOLDA'S BALCONY. Not only was she emotionally affecting in a beautiful play, but to memorize 2+ hours of nonstop dialogue?! I have to hand it to actors who can do that--I never would be able to absorb and retain all that material.

[GoshGeeGolly]

Posted: 3/2/13 at 11:23am

Is Mike Tyson returning?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/2/13 at 11:34am

The best of the bunch is Ben Rimalower's Patti Issues.


New York Times: Broadway Diva Is a Muse, as Gay Boy Comes of Age Ben Rimalower’s ‘Patti Issues,’ at the Duplex Cabaret Theater

[theatergeek3]

Posted: 3/2/13 at 12:33pm

Wait-MacBeth is being done as a one man show? How does that work?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/2/13 at 1:14pm

Brilliantly.

Here's the thread about it from last summer:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1047816&boardname=bway&page=1

Updated On: 3/2/13 at 01:14 PM

[Playbilly]

Posted: 3/2/13 at 3:37pm

One-person shows should make it harder on Tony voters.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 3/3/13 at 4:48pm

I can't say that I would pay to see Wayne Brady by himself. Is he doing a one-man episode of Let's Make a Deal?

[goldenboy]

Posted: 3/8/13 at 12:49am

Don't underestimate Wayne Brady. He is a wonderful actor/ performer. He broke through in improv and than appeared in Who's Line is it Anyway... no easy feat. He was in Chicago on Broadway. Let's Make a Deal is a high paying gig ... but Brady is a talent.
And a helluva nice guy.