Summer of Solo Shows: The Second Wave
In Austin theatre, solo shows sometimes come in waves, as in the second half of August, which has four one-person theatrical vehicles opening the same weekend
By Robert Faires, Fri., Aug. 18, 2006
Austin theatre never seems to be without solo shows for long – the monologue has been a staple of local stages for a good two decades now – but sometimes they just come in waves, like those hundred-degree thermometer-busters in the dog days. July saw a trio of them: Shirley Valentine, American Fiesta, and I Am My Own Wife (which continues through Aug. 27 at the Zachary Scott Theatre Center). Now, as we head into the latter half of August, here come four more in one week. Here's a quick guide to the singular singles now taking the stage:
• Sodomy & Pedicures – Former Austinite Jessica Hedrick revisits the old hometown with her autobiographical saga of a thirtysomething SWF desperately seeking femininity while trying to honor her mother and father (Mom a women's studies prof, Dad a commie). Previously shown at FronteraFest and Refraction Arts' Fuse Box as 3 Feminine Instincts You Should Master and 2 You Should Ditch, the frank, funny show (Sex and the City for philosophy junkies?) reminds us how terrifically talented Hedrick is. Fellow Texpatriate Sarah Richardson (Rude Mechs) directs, assisted by Carlos Treviño. Aug. 18-27, Friday-Sunday, 8pm, at play! Theatre, 1204 Cedar. Reservations: e-mail pinkofem@gmail.com.
• B-Boy Bluez – Author/poet/performer Zell Miller III (Kissing the Goodbye; my child, my child, my alien child; Xenogia poetry collective) follows last fall's critically acclaimed and dazzling solo work, The Evidence of Silence Broken, with a fast-paced, rhythmic ride of reflection on a young man's growth from innocence to maturity in a time when hip-hop was more than bling-bling and insanity. Runs with Hot Dogs at the Eiffel Tower. Aug. 17-26, Thursday-Saturday, 8pm, at the Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd. 478-LAVA or www.vortexrep.org.
• Hot Dogs at the Eiffel Tower – British-born comedian Maggie Gallant swaps stand-up for soliloquy with this tale of waiting for a train at Victoria Station and a reunion with the woman who gave her up for adoption. Along with questions of identity and belonging come visions of frankfurters in France with a mystery man who might a) own the Eiffel Tower and b) be her father. At FronteraFest 2006, Hot Dogs earned "Best of the Week" honors. Runs with B-Boy Bluez. Aug. 17-26, Thursday-Saturday, 8pm, at the Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd. 478-LAVA or www.vortexrep.org.
• Confessions of a Mormon Boy – Steven Fales' much-lauded solo show charts his odyssey from poster boy for the Mormon church in Utah – sixth-generation Mormon, Eagle Scout, Brigham Young University grad, missionary, husband, and father – to high-priced call boy in New York. Divorce, excommunication, prostitution, drugs, and redemption – it's all there in Fales' tale, which was directed by Tony Award-winner Jack Hofsiss (The Elephant Man) and has enjoyed hit runs in Atlanta and New York. Its four-month stay at Soho Playhouse earned raves from The New York Times, The Village Voice, New York Daily News, and more. Aug. 17-Sept. 9, Thursday, 8pm, Friday-Saturday, 8 & 10pm, Sunday, 2pm, at Arts on Real, 2826 Real. 472-2787 or www.artsonreal.com.
