2024 FACTS & FIGURES
Name: United Solo Theatre Festival (first reference), United Solo Festival or United Solo
Dates: Spring & Fall Seasons
Stage Location: a resident company of Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, New York City
Streaming Platform: www.unitedsolo.org/screen
About: The United Solo Festival, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, presents a selection of local and international productions including storytelling, puppetry, dance, multimedia, improv, stand-up, magic, musical, and drama. Since its inaugural year in 2010, United Solo has featured more than 1,900 productions from all over the world. In 2021, United Solo launched a new virtual platform (United Solo Screen) to present shows for its global audience and theatre enthusiasts.
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For Immediate Release
November 24, 2025
New York City
United Solo Ends Fall 2025 Season with Gala
United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, closed its nineteenth season with its traditional Closing Gala. This fall’s season showcased artists from across the world, featuring a wide range of genres and themes—from classical to contemporary to performance art. The stories spanned from the deeply personal to works addressing global and political conflicts.
“We are proud that for nineteen seasons we have provided a platform for freedom of expression, and that artists have trusted us with their work,” said United Solo’s Founder and Artistic Director, Omar Sangare. “This is a time when we need theatre and the stories that unite us in an undivided spirit.”
Held at Theatre Row in the heart of Manhattan’s storied Theatre District, the Gala celebrated outstanding work from this season’s participants. Wendy-Lane Bailey’s “Remembering My Dreams: The Michele Brourman Songbook” opened the evening. Bailey and Brourman are longtime collaborators, having orchestrated and co-produced Wendy-Lane’s debut recording “Breathing.”
Among the many artists recognized at the 2025 Fall United Solo Festival was Louise Sorel, honored for her stage piece “An Afternoon with Louise Sorel.” Ms. Sorel has enjoyed a long and distinguished career on Broadway and has recently added author to her credits with her book “If There Were No Dogs,” a collection of poetry and essays.
United Solo also presented its Special Award, which honors a renowned artist outside the festival whose work pushes the boundaries of the art form. This year’s honoree is Saul Rubinek, recognized for his solo piece “Playing Shylock,” a work that blurs the line between fact and fiction to illuminate truths about art, culture, and identity. Mr. Rubinek is widely known for his screen roles in “Frasier,” “The Last Tycoon,” “Unforgiven,” “True Romance,” and “Nixon,” among many others. His latest stage show “Playing Shylock” is currently playing in New York City.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Rubinek said: “Solo performance is a singular act of bravery,” adding, “The magic trick is to replace the word get—I want to get an audience, I want to get good reviews, I want to get paid, I want to get recognition—with the word give… I want to give a performance.”
Saul Rubinek now joins such illustrious past honorees of the United Solo Special Award as Anna Deavere Smith, Patti LuPone, John Leguizamo, Fiona Shaw, Billy Crystal, James Lecesne, Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon, Michael Moore, Renée Taylor, Aasif Mandvi, Ian McKellen, Lee Roy Reams, Dael Orlandersmith, Charles Busch, and Flotilla DeBarge.
As United Solo concludes its 2025 season, the festival is now accepting submissions for its 2026 Spring & Fall Seasons at Theatre Row. Artists and companies can apply at www.unitedsolo.org/apply/nyc-2026
The full list of award winners at the 2025 Fall United Solo Festival includes:
United Solo Special Award: Saul Rubinek
Best Production: “Puerto Rico es una Cama Twin” performed by Anna Sophia Colón
Best International Show: “Enemies of the People” performed by Erika Marozsan
Best Direction: Cándido Tirado, “Puerto Rico es una Cama Twin”
Best One Man Show: “Backwards, Forwards, Back” by L. James
Best One Woman Show: “It Ends With Guinea Pigs” by Diana Gitelman
Best Encore: “Legacy” by Sharon Nyree Williams
United Solo Audience Choice Award: “Emerge” by Paris Moon
Best Actress: Iryna Scarola in “The Game To Play”
Best Actor: Jason Carmichael in “Tied”
Best Storyteller: Douglas Gray in “Oops! Five Times I Accidentally Ended Up Onstage”
Best Drama: “In The Elevator” performed by Ika Gogoladze
Best Comedy: “Ten Times I Should Have Known I Was Autistic” by Keith Varney
Best Musical: “Flute Solo” by Emily Van Den Blink
Best Interactive Show: “An Afternoon with Louise Sorel” by Louise Sorel
Best Biographical Show: “Undesirable Secrets” by Rodolfo Alvarado
Best Cabaret: “Snapshots” by Alice Christine Hughes
Best Spoken Word: “Queen of Wands” by Shivali Bhammer
Best Fiction Show: “Hide” by Jeffrey Doornbos
Best Classical Show: “Elizabeth I, In Her Own Words” by Tamara L. Meneghini
Best Storytelling Show: “Holy Sh*t! I Almost Died for This” by Kristina Libby
Best Multimedia Show: “More: A Special Relativity” by Emma Speer
Best Autobiographical Show: “The Mountain, Malt Liquor, My Mom & Me” by Mary Regan
United Solo Pride Award: “Liar! Liar!” by Don Ackerman
Best World Premiere: “Satin Secrets, A Night With Austin Scarlett”by Austin Scarlett
Best New York Debut: “Refuge” by Pavan J. Singh
Best Festival Debut: “I’m Still Not That Girl” by Jessica Lia Berry
Best Production Design: “Satin Secrets, A Night With Austin Scarlett”by Austin Scarlett
Best Emerging Playwright: Crystal Rae, “Tied”
Best Original Music: Robin Colucci, “Intact: One Woman’s Search for Home”
Best Lighting Design: Crys Pascal
All About Solo Critics’ Choice Award: “Judy’s Encore” by Ali Harper
*Winners were selected by an independent panel of over eighty theatre professionals, including The United Solo Academy Members.
**The winner of the 2024 All About Solo Critics’ Award was chosen by the staff writers of http://www.allaboutsolo.com.
***The winner of the Audience Award was chosen in an online poll at United Solo.
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to Will Titus at press@unitedsolo.org or +1 (732) 737-7008.
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For Immediate Release
November 12, 2025
New York City
United Solo Announces Nominees for the 2025 United Solo Special Award
United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, is proud to announce the nominees for the 2025 United Solo Special Award. Established to honor an artist working outside the festival who demonstrates outstanding achievement in solo performance, the award recognizes individuals whose work exemplifies the power, depth, and transformative possibility of one performer on stage.
The 2025 nominees reflect a wide landscape of artistry, vision, and theatrical innovation — spanning legendary performers, celebrated public figures, and bold emerging voices.
“In these hectic times, we need stories more than ever to illuminate where we’ve come from and where we are headed,” said Festival Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare. “These artists are leading us forward with fearless voices, open hearts, and unforgettable performances.”
The nominees for the 2025 Special Award are:
Morgan Bassichis – Can I Be Frank?
Dylan Mulvaney – The Least Problematic Woman in the World
Stephen Rea – Krapp’s Last Tape
Saul Rubinek – Playing Shylock
Josh Sharp – Ta Da!
Jean Smart – Call Me Izzy
Sarah Snook – The Picture of Dorian Gray
The recipient of this year’s award will join a distinguished line of past honorees, including:
Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), Ian McKellen (2020), Lee Roy Reams (2021), Dael Orlandersmith (2022), Charles Busch (2023), and Flotilla DeBarge (2024).
The 2025 United Solo Special Award will be presented at the United Solo Closing Gala on Sunday, November 23 at 7:00 PM, at Theatre Row in New York City.
The event is open to the public, and tickets may be purchased at: https://unitedsolo.org/the-19th-annual-united-solo-theatre-festival/united-solo-closing-gala/
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to Will Titus at press@unitedsolo.org or +1 (732) 737-7008.
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For Immediate Release
July 24, 2025
New York City
Tickets Now on Sale for United Solo’s Fall 2025 Season
United Solo Theatre Festival has officially opened ticket sales for its Fall 2025 season at its home base, Theatre Row, in New York City. This fall marks the 19th season of the world’s largest solo theatre festival, showcasing an expansive lineup of innovative, diverse, and compelling solo performances.
The upcoming season features a diverse array of productions by acclaimed creators, international performers, and returning favorites from the Spring 2025 lineup. Audiences can look forward to a dynamic range of genres, including reimagined classics, original musicals, autobiographical works, and experimental performance art.
“At our festival, you’ll find everything from retellings of timeless classics to boundary-pushing original creations,” said, Wendy-Lane Bailey vice artistic director of United Solo. “We are proud to be a platform where creativity flourishes — brought to life by both established artists and emerging voices.”
The Fall 2025 lineup includes performers from across the United States and around the world, representing countries such as Italy, New Zealand, Mexico, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Highlights of the season include:
Project Runway finalist Austin Scarlett’s solo show debut, “Satin Secrets: A Night With Austin Scarlett.”
Rudolfo Alvarado’s powerful piece, “Undesirable Secrets,” which tells the true story of WWII combat medic Anthony Acevedo.
United Solo veteran Ali Harper (Best One-Woman Show 2018 / Best Actress 2014), who arrives from New Zealand with her hit tribute show, “Judy’s Encore.”
Global recording artist Shivali Bhammer in “Queen of Wands,” directed by Tony Award nominee Celine Rosenthal.
Singapore’s Pavan Singh, whose compelling solo work “Refuge” explores the journey of a man forced into the life of an expatriate.
Some of the award-winning shows returning after United Solo’s Spring season include:
“Well, Life Sucks” by Best Production winner Thomas Ellenson.
“Legacy,” a powerful spoken-word performance by Emmy Award-winning artist Sharon Nyree Williams, and winner of the Best Spoken-Word Piece.
“Mounting Washington” by Penny Sterling, recipient of the United Solo LGBTQ+ Pride Award.
“Backwards, Forwards, Back” starring Best Actor awardee and military veteran L. James, directed by Best Director winner Sue Wolf.
“I Get No Respect: Confessions of a Failed Foreign Policy Expert,” a sharp and hilarious piece by nuclear proliferation expert and Best Stand-Up winner Bill Hartung.
“Under the Rainbow” by John Gazzale, an imaginative coming-of-age story and winner of the Best One-Man Show award.
The festival concludes on Sunday, November 23, with its traditional Grand Gala. During the event, in addition to awards for outstanding festival productions, the United Solo Special Award will be presented to an artist who exemplifies excellence in the genre of solo performance beyond the festival. Past recipients of the Special Award include Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), Ian McKellen (2020), Lee Roy Reams (2021), Dael Orlandersmith (2022), Charles Busch (2023), and Flotilla DeBarge (2024).
“As we enter our 19th season, we are proud to provide a safe platform where everyone’s story is valued and honored. Our artists’ voices are essential in fostering mutual respect and advocating for peace, understanding, and hope in a world that so deeply yearns for it,” concludes Omar Sangare, founder and artistic director of United Solo.
Tickets and the full schedule are available at: https://unitedsolo.org/the-19th-annual-united-solo-theatre-festival/
Press Photo by Curtis Brown: Austin Scarlett in “Satin Secrets: A Night With Austin Scarlett” at United Solo
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to Will Titus at press@unitedsolo.org or +1 (732) 737-7008.
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For Immediate Release
April 20, 2025
New York City
United Solo Concludes 2025 Spring Season with Grand Awards Gala
United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, celebrated its 18th season with a Gala on April 20 at Theatre Row in New York City. The evening began with a musical performance, “Remembering My Dreams: The Michele Brourman Songbook,” performed by the festival’s Vice Artistic Director, Wendy-Lane Bailey, followed by an awards presentation recognizing outstanding work by the festival’s participating artists.
The Best Production Award was presented to Thomas Ellenson for his autobiographical piece “Well, Life Sucks.” Born with cerebral palsy, Thomas has faced numerous challenges throughout his life. His show blends sharp humor with raw honesty, taking the audience on a journey through his determined and deeply moving experiences.
“This show is my second one, and it started when I saw Billy Crystal’s show ‘700 Sundays,’” said Thomas. “I was blown away by how relatable his solo performance was, even though he’s a famous celebrity. He was my inspiration.” He added, “I never expected to win the festival. Even though I’ve always loved theatre, I didn’t realize it would become my career.”
United Solo’s Founder and Artistic Director, Omar Sangare, reflected on the season, stating: “For eighteen seasons, we have been proud to provide a stage where all stories are honored. Our stories matter now more than ever, and I am always moved by the utter fearlessness of our artists. It is a joy to witness performers from all over the world come together to celebrate the diversity of this art form.”
Award categories included excellence in acting, directing, and various forms of solo performance, as well as the All About Solo Critics’ Choice Award and the United Solo Audience Award. An award for Outstanding Solo Performance on Video went to Pau Aran Gimeno, acclaimed performer with Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, for his independent solo production, available via the United Solo Screen platform at https://screen.unitedsolo.org.
While the Spring 2025 season has now concluded, United Solo is currently accepting submissions for its Fall 2025 Season at Theatre Row. Artists and companies are encouraged to apply at: https://unitedsolo.org/nyc-fall-2025/
The full list of award winners from the 2025 Spring Season includes:
Best Production: “Well, Life Sucks” by Thomas Ellenson
Best One-Man Show: “Under the Rainbow” by John Gazzale
Best One-Woman Show: “Casualty of War” by Sharon Lesser
Best International Show: “galat lagchha malai mero desh ko itihas” by Rajkumar Pudasaini
Best Storyteller: Lenka Lichtenberg in “The Secret Poetess of Terezín”
Best Direction: Sue Wolf, “Backwards, Forwards, Back” and “Intact”
Best Actress: Michelle Shupe in “I Wore What When”
Best Actor: Lawrence James in “Backwards, Forwards, Back”
United Solo Pride Award: “Mounting Washington” by Penny Sterling
United Solo Audience Award: “In this Our Home” by Donna Sewall Davidge
United Solo Best Screen Award: “Water and Stones” by Pau Aran Gimeno
Best Musical: “The Ādat” by Sheherazaad
Best Physical Theatre: “Mother’s Day” by Susan Chase
Best Spoken Word: “Legacy” by Sharon Nyee Williams
Best Biographical Show: “Queen of the World” by Ivette Viñas
Best Classical Show: “Cordelia Sword of the Wind” by Jiyoung Choi
Best Autobiographical Show: “Sadec 1965: A Love Story” by Flora Le
Best Storytelling Show: “The Samurai’s Wife” by Sui Nakashima
Best Stand-Up: “I Get No Respect Confessions of a Failed Foreign Policy Pundit” by Bill Hartung
All About Solo Critics’ Choice Award: “The Troll” by Rochée Jeffrey
Best Festival Debut: “In This Our Home” by Donna Sewall Davidge
Best Script: Colleen Murphy, “I Wore What When”
Best Lighting: Melissa Shawcross, “Queen of the World”
*Winners were selected by an independent panel of over eighty theatre professionals, including The United Solo Academy Members.
**The winner of the 2024 All About Solo Critics’ Award was chosen by the staff writers of http://www.allaboutsolo.com.
***The winner of the Audience Award was chosen in an online poll at United Solo.
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to Will Titus at press@unitedsolo.org or +1 (732) 737-7008.
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For Immediate Release
February 21, 2025
New York City
Tickets Now on Sale for United Solo’s Spring 2025 Festival!
United Solo’s Spring 2025 Festival brings a lineup of dynamic performances from around the world to Theatre Row, running from March 18 through April 20.
“As we enter a time of global transformation, creators are more determined than ever to share their stories with audiences,” says Omar Sangare, Founder and Artistic Director of United Solo. “In challenging times, we turn to artists to speak out and bring us together—to provide comfort, clarity, and inspiration. This season’s performers continue our vision, sharing their narratives with courage and creativity.”
The festival explores a wide range of themes through diverse voices and perspectives, including celebrity culture, personal identity, human values, feminism, global traditions, and the challenges posed by entitlement, abuse, and political unrest.
Among the festival highlights are international reimagining of classic works:
● South Korea’s Jiyoung Choi presents “Cordelia: Sword of the Wind,” a retelling of “King Lear” through the eyes of Cordelia, blending Shakespearean drama with dance.
● Nepal’s Rajkumar Pudasaini explores the poetry of Bihupi Serchan in “Galat Lagccha Malai Mero Desh Ko Itihas.”
● Persian actress Shadi Yazdani performs “Yocasta,” written by Mohammad Reza Ghodsev, offering a fresh perspective on the Oedipus myth through a female lens.
The festival also features deeply personal and socially relevant narratives:
● San Francisco native Sheherazaad, whose work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The New York Times, and Vogue, presents “The Adat,” a musical exploration of diaspora and alienation within the Bay Area’s Sikh community.
● Foreign policy expert Bill Hartung, dubbed the “Rodney Dangerfield of Foreign Policy,” humorously examines his double life in “I Get No Respect: My Life as a Failed Foreign Policy Pundit.”
● Jacquline Goldfinger’s “Backwards, Forwards, Back,” performed by actor and veteran L. James, explores the emotional and psychological impact of PTSD.
● Other notable performances include Thomas Ellenson’s “Well, Life Sucks,” a deeply personal reflection on navigating life and pursuing an acting career while living with cerebral palsy.
For fans of The Moth Story Hour, multi-award-winning storyteller Flora Le embarks on a motorcycle journey through Vietnam to uncover her late father’s past in “Sadec 1965: A Love Story.” NAACP Image Award recipient Rochée Jefferey delivers a compelling take on internet harassment in “The Troll.” Acclaimed Czech-Canadian artist Lenka Lichtenberg brings to life her grandmother’s poetry, written in a concentration camp during World War II.
Continuing our United Solo tradition, the festival will feature a celebratory concert on Saturday, March 22, starring Vice Artistic Director Wendy-Lane Bailey and directed by festival founder Omar Sangare, paying tribute to the artists who make United Solo possible. The festival concludes on April 20 with the Closing Gala, an evening dedicated to honoring the outstanding work of festival participants.
“Theatre has become a platform for unity, perseverance, and peace,” concludes Omar Sangare, a passionate advocate for human rights and artistic expression. “Join us, regardless of agendas—we are here to create a space where human values can be preserved.”
For tickets and more information, visit: https://unitedsolo.org/the-18th-annual-united-solo-theatre-festival/
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to Will Titus at press@unitedsolo.org or +1 (732) 737-7008.
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For Immediate Release
November 17, 2024
New York City
United Solo Closes Out Fall 2024 Season With Gala
United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, concluded its eight-week Fall Season with its traditional Closing Gala. The festival presented dozens of shows by artists from every corner of the globe across a variety of genres touching on themes ranging from deeply personal to issues of international importance.
“For 17 seasons, artists have come to us with their stories,” said United Solo’s Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare, “and we are humbled by the trust they have in us as we help present them to a wider audience. Every season brings new talent and new ideas. The festival is a constant source of inspiration.”
This year’s gala was held at Theatre Row in the heart of Manhattan’s storied Theatre District. The gala celebrated outstanding work from festival participants. Through its United Solo Special Award, United Solo highlighted the work of a renowned artist from outside the festival whose work pushed the boundaries of the art form.
As United Solo concludes its 2024 season, it is accepting submissions for its 2025 Spring & Fall Seasons at Theatre Row. Artist and companies can apply at https://unitedsolo.org/nyc-2025/.
The full list of award winners at the 2024 Fall United Solo Festival includes:
United Solo Special Award: Flotilla DeBarge
Best Production: “Odds Are” performed by Smita Russell
Best One-Person Show: “Notes from a Narcissistic Negro and other N words” by Elizabeth June
Best International Show: “Oblivion” by Christina Kyriazidi
Best Encore: “Doing Time With Lavinia” by Susan Campanaro & music by Lynn Portas
Best Storyteller: Alex Storozynski in “Spies in My Blood”
Best Director: Jacqueline Loewen, “Odds Are”
Best Actress: Faye Bendrups in “The Fabulous Life of Lina Prokofiev”
Best Actor: Eddie Schumacher in “The Wind is Us: The Death That Killed Capote”
United Solo Pride Award: “The Abnormal Heart” by Parker Mills
United Solo Audience Award: “Step & Repeat” by Jillian Macklin
Best Mime: Boutros Al Amari in “Imagine”
Best Multi-Media: “Amber in the City of Light” by Rashida K. Braggs
Best Physical Theatre: “You Can’t Be Serious” by Andrea Parson
Best Comedy: “Gaslighting is My Love Language” by Fielding Edlow
Best Biographical Show: “Jenny Lind Presents PT Barnum” by Shelley Cooper
Best Autobiographical Show: “Learning to Human” by Sims Holland
Best Fiction Show: “Terms of Service” by Patrick McAndrew
Best Cabaret: Lea Mihevc in “Where Are You From Girl”
Best Script: “Dearly Departed” written by Lilly Dennis
All About Solo Critics’ Choice Award: “Handala” by Myriam Ali-Ahmad
Best Festival Debut: “Forgive Me Grandma, for I Have Sinned” by Stephanie Wilson
Best NYC Debut: “Like, Share & Subscribe” by Lavanya Gopal
Best Musician: Guillermo Anad, “The Fabulous Life of Lina Prokofiev”
Best Lighting & Sound: Maciek Pieta
*Winners were selected by an independent panel of over eighty theatre professionals, including The United Solo Academy Members.
**The winner of the 2024 All About Solo Critics’ Award was chosen by the staff writers of www.allaboutsolo.com.
***The winner of the Audience Award was chosen in an online poll at United Solo.
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan, at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or +1 (201) 787-4995.
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For Immediate Release
November 14, 2024
New York City
United Solo Announces 2024 Special Award Nominees
United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival is proud to announce the nominees for their annual United Solo Special Award. Each year, the festival presents an award to an established artist from outside the festival who demonstrates excellence in the medium and exemplifies all that solo performance can be. This year’s Nominees are a diverse group representing multiple disciplines and performance styles.
“Our nominees are more than just actors, they are writers, producers, directors, and most of all innovators,” says festival Founder/Artistic Director Omar Sangare. “The bring us joy, give us hope and show new ways of thinking and storytelling. Each of these artists are virtuosos who have mastered their craft leaving a legacy for those who come after them.”
The nominees for the 2024 Special Award are:
Flotilla DeBarge – “Songs & Sass”
Eddie Izzard – “Eddie Izzard Performs Shakespeare’s Hamlet”
Beverly Johnson – “In Vogue”
Patrick Page – “All The Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented The Villain”
Josh Thomas – “Let’s Tidy Up”
This year’s artist will join a distinguished group of past awardees including:
Anna Deavere Smith (awarded in 2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), Ian McKellen (2020), Lee Roy Reams (2021), Dael Orlandersmith (2022), and Charles Busch (2023).
The award will be presented at United Solo’s Closing Gala Sunday, November 17th at 7:00 pm at Theatre Row.
The event is open to public and tickets may be purchased here.
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan, at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or +1 (201) 787-4995.
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For Immediate Release
October 31, 2024
New York City
Pulitzer Prize Winning Writer Alex Storozynski Makes Stage Debut with United Solo
Alex Storozynski’s stage adaptation of his latest book, “Spies in My Blood,” will make its debut this Saturday at 2:00 PM at the United Solo Festival at Theatre ROW in New York City. The piece – written by Pulitzer Prize Laureate – is directed by Omar Sangare, the festival’s Founder and Artistic Director.
What if everything you thought you knew about your family was a lie? In “Spies in My Blood,” a brother’s deathbed confession leads Alex on an odyssey that spans continents, governments and generations to uncover a hidden legacy. The result is a gripping story of family and the price of secrecy.
United Solo, now in its 17th season, was founded with the goal of providing a platform for solo performers from all over the world. Presenting two seasons every year, the festival features both emerging voices and established performers familiar to audiences of the stage, screen and theatre. Sharon Lawrence, Ed Asher, Cynthia Nixon and Fiona Shaw are just a few renowned artists whose work has been featured on United Solo’s stage.
Be sure to check out the full festival schedule at https://festival.unitedsolo.org/shows and United Solo’s new Membership with all its perks: https://unitedsolo.org/united-solo-membership/.
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan, at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or +1 (201) 787-4995.
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For Immediate Release
September 17, 2024
New York City
Grand Opening Concert at United Solo Celebrates the Music of Michele Brourman
The world’s largest solo theatre festival opens its 17th season on September 25th at Theatre Row in New York City. Tickets for the festival, which runs through November 17, 2024, are now on sale. United Solo Vice Artistic Director Wendy-Lane Bailey will present a Grand Opening Concert on Saturday, September 28, 2024. “Remembering My Dreams: The Michele Brourman Songbook” was developed as an homage to the courage and creativity of solo performers. The first show to feature Brourman’s work exclusively, “Remembering My Dreams” is a collaboration with Bailey, Brourman, and Festival founder & Artistic Director Omar Sangare, who directs the show.
“I am honored that Michele has entrusted me with her songs. Her writing strikes a universal chord that articulates our deepest wants and the dragons we must slay along the path to achieving them. She is that rare writer that speaks to both our hearts and our heads. It is a joy to sing her music” – said Wendy-Lane Bailey.
United Solo was built on the dream of creating a haven for solo performers from all over the world. Every season, solo artists bring their visions to life on stage. “Remembering My Dreams” illuminates our deepest desires, unspoken fears, and the faith to hold on when all seems lost. Beth Falcone, musical director/pianist, and Ritt Henn, bassist, accompany Bailey in a dynamic performance that was awarded Best Music at United Solo’s Spring 2024 festival.
Tickets for the opening concert and all of United Solo’s Fall 2024 festival the shows at are available at https://festival.unitedsolo.org/shows.
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan, at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or +1 (201) 787-4995.
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For Immediate Release
September 10, 2024
New York City
Kicking Off United Solo’s Fall 2024 Season with Award-Winning Encores
Each season, United Solo presents a mix of new and well-known voices, launching solo artists and welcoming returning performers. United Solo’s 17th season opens on September 25, 2024, with encore performances of three award-winning shows that played to sold-out audiences in previous United Solo festivals. “Doing Time With Lavinia” performed by Susan Campanaro with Music by Lynn Portas won United Solo Best Musical in Fall 2022 and recently returned from Edinburgh Fringe. “Grit” performed by Lisa Natale won United Solo Best New York Premiere in Spring 2024 and was a recent hit at the Hollywood Fringe. “Grabbing the Hammer Lane” performed by David Proctor garnered Best Solo Show and the New Producer awards at the Orlando Fringe, Critic’s Pick at the Hamilton Fringe, and was awarded United Solo’s Best One Man Show in Spring 2024.
Fielding Edlow of TV’s “Bojack Horseman” fame brings her solo show “Gaslighting is My Love Language,” which just returned from a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Two other established performers are making their debut at United Solo this fall. “Laughing Through the Pain” is the autobiography of standup comedian, voice actor, and author Joey Camen, one of the youngest professional standup comedians to perform at the world-famous Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip. His story is also a tale of childhood survival, laughter, and pain, engagingly written and performed by someone who has spent decades in the world of entertainment. Two-time Moth StorySlam Champion Smita Russell’s “Odds Are” untangles crazy coincidences and explores the limits of language and logic in the face of grief. This show is for anyone who experienced loss and came back for more.
Veteran United Solo performers are also returning to the festival with new shows. Lilly Dennis, whose previous show “Chocoholic” won Best Solo Show 2018 and Best Encore Performance 2021, brings her new show “Dearly Departed.” Director Debra DeLiso won the Rainbow Award from the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival for her decades of work bringing theatre to multicultural and diverse communities.
Shelley Cooper returns to United Solo with a new one-woman opera show, “Jenny Lind Presents P.T. Barnum.” This award-winning show fact checks “The Greatest Showman” movie and reveals the real reason Jenny Lind quit Barnum’s tour. Eavesdrop on Jenny’s brave confrontation of PT Barnum and enjoy some operatic gems from Jenny Lind. Cooper’s previous show, “La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas,” won Pick of the Fringe at the Hollywood Fringe and Best One Woman Show at United Solo. Her Jenny Lind show has won an LA Women’s Theatre Award.
Be sure to check out the full festival schedule at https://festival.unitedsolo.org/shows and United Solo’s new Membership with all its perks: https://unitedsolo.org/united-solo-membership/.
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan, at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or +1 (201) 787-4995.
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For Immediate Release
August 19, 2024
New York City
Exciting Additions and Tickets On Sale Now for United Solo Fall 2024 Season
The world’s largest solo theatre festival opens its 17th season on September 25th at Theatre Row in New York City. Tickets for the festival, which runs through November 17, 2024, are now on sale.
United Solo revealed exciting new programs for performers and audience members this season. Omar Sangare, Founder and Artistic Director, said, “United Solo is a place where artists come together to share and develop their work. We’re expanding opportunities for performance, networking, and building our global theatre community here in New York.”
The first new addition this season is the United Solo Membership. Join the exclusive program for theatre lovers today for just $20, and get discounts on tickets for festival shows, United Solo merchandise, a six-month subscription to United Solo Screen and our Members-Only newsletter, your name on our website and in our digital Festival Guide, and other exclusive opportunities. To become a member, visit https://unitedsolo.org/united-solo-membership/.
Every Sunday, the festival will host the Solo Sunday Social Room. Hosted by festival Vice Artistic Director Wendy-Lane Bailey, the event is an open forum where all artists who would like to participate can sign up to perform. Solo Sunday Social Room happens every Sunday from September 29 to November 10, 2:00 – 3:30 PM. Tickets are $5. To sign up or for more information, contact solosunday@unitedsolo.org.
This season will also debut United Solo’s Grand Opening Concert. On Saturday, September 28, United Solo Vice Artistic Director Wendy-Lane Bailey will perform Remembering My Dreams: The Michele Brourman Songbook, an homage to the courage and creativity of solo performers. The show is a collaboration with Bailey, Brourman, and Festival founder & Artistic Director Omar Sangare, who also directs the show.
The United Solo Closing Gala will take place on November 17, 2024. The Gala recognizes the season’s outstanding solo performances including “Best Of” awards in acting, direction, and production categories, the Audience Choice Award, and the All About Solo Critics’ Award. A highlight of the Fall awards is the annual Special Award, given to a performer outside of the festival for a solo performance or body of work. Past winners include Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), Ian McKellen (2020), Lee Roy Reams (2021), Dael Orlandersmith (2022), and Charles Busch (2023).
For more info, facts & figures, please visit our Press Center at: https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or +1 (201) 787-4995.
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For Immediate Release
April 29, 2024
New York City
United Solo Concludes 2024 Spring Season With Grand Awards Gala
United Solo’s 16th season, which opened March 5, 2024, featured over 60 solo artists from across the globe in its eight-week run, including several encore performances from prior seasons and twelve shows that sold out their first performances and had additional shows added to the schedule.
United Solo concluded its spring festival on April 28, 2024, with its Awards Gala. Noting the festival’s tremendous success over its 16 seasons, Omar Sangare, Founder and Artistic Director, said, “United Solo is a growing community of international performers. This season, we had performers from past seasons return with encore shows and new projects, award-winning shows from other regional festivals, and many New York and world premieres. Our festival has become a place where artists in every stage of their process can come together to share and develop their work. As the stage transports us to worlds beyond, United Solo transforms solo artists into a global theatre community here in New York.”
The Festival’s Gala recognized this season’s outstanding solo performances. Awards included “Best Of” awards in acting, direction, and production categories. The Audience Choice Award was also given to the festival audiences’ favorite show, and the theatre critics from AllAboutSolo.com awarded their top prize, the All About Solo Critics’ Award. In addition, awards were given to several virtual shows that are available for streaming on United Solo Screen (https://screen.unitedsolo.org/).
As United Solo concludes its spring 2024 season, it is accepting submissions for its Fall 2024 Season at Theatre Row. Artist and companies can apply at: https://unitedsolo.org/nyc-fall-2024/apply/
The full list of award winners at the 2024 Spring United Solo Festival includes:
Best Production: “Borderless”performed by Peter-William Jamieson
Best Encore: “GUAC” performed by Manual Oliver
Best One-Woman Show: “Mami, What’s Your 20?” performed by Nadeen Gautier
Best One-Man Show: “Grabbing the Hammerlane” performed by David M Proctor
Best International Show: “The Imitator” performed by Julian Fontalvo
The United Solo Audience Award: “Mami, What’s Your 20?” performed by Nadeen Gautier
Best Actress: Bellina Logan in “Confessions of a Mulatto Love Child”
Best Actor: Peter-William Jamieson in “Borderless”
Best Direction: Padraic Lillis, “Sped Kid” by Adam Linn and “The Road Back” by Adina Taubman
Best Composer: Michele Brourman, “Remembering My Dreams” performed by Wendy-Lane Bailey
United Solo Pride Award: Kailia Galinat in “okay, bye!”
Best Storytelling Show: “Voices from the Holy and Not So Holy Land” by Steve Greenstein
Best Physical Theater: “Gluckskind” by Melike Yagiz-Baxant
Best Musical: “Lily the Tiger” by Dana McCoy
Best Autobiographical One-Woman Show: “Bi-Polar Badass” by Mari Crawford
Best Autobiographical One-Man Show: “Sped Kid” by Adam Linn
Best Comedy: “Chuck” by Carolyn Castiglia
Best Musical Comedy: “PSA: Pelvic Service Announcement” by Amy Veltman
Best Concert Show: “Keith Moon: The Real Me” by Mick Berry
Best Script: “Moonlight Reflections with Garbo” by Juliet Morrison
Best Adaptation: “Jonathan Livingston Seagull: A Solo Flight” by Andrew Thacher
Best Musicians: Ritt Henn and Beth Falcone
Best Lighting: Mary Caitlyn Deffely
Best New York Premiere: “Grit” by Lisa Natale
Best Emerging Artist: Mabel White in “Earthling”
Emerging Playwright: Carrigan Boynton, “Earthling”
Best Festival Debut: “The Vacations We Never Took” by Molly McCluskey
All About Solo Critics’ Choice Award: “The Moms Are Alright” by Melanie White
United Solo Screen Awards:
Best Drama: “Who Will Sing for Lena” starring Jes Washington
Best Comedy: “Tales from Geriassic Park” starring Verna Gillis
Best Movement: “Monarch” starring Lynn Needle
Emerging Talent: “Stalked” starring Jarrett Wesner
*Winners were selected by an independent panel of over eighty theatre professionals, including The United Solo Academy Members.
**The winner of the 2024 All About Solo Critics’ Award was chosen by the staff writers of www.allaboutsolo.com.
***The winner of the Audience Award was chosen in an online poll at United Solo.
For more info, facts & figures, please visit our Press Center at: https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or +1 (201) 787-4995.
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For Immediate Release
February 29, 2024
New York City
United Solo Festival’s 16th Season Debuts With Several Sold-Out Shows
Opening March 4, 2024, United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, presents eight weeks of scintillating solo theatre by new and returning artists from across the globe. Several shows have already sold out, including “Mami, What’s Your 20?” starring Nadeen Gautier (April 17 SOLD OUT, second show added April 20) and “O Time” starring David Zellnik (March 15 SOLD OUT, second show added March 27).
Get your tickets now for these other popular shows before they sell out: “PSA: Pelvic Service Announcement” starring Amy Veltman (March 23), “The Vacations We Never Took” starring Molly McCluskey (March 29), “Grit: One Woman’s Evolution from Chaos to Courage” starring Lisa Natale (March 19), and “My Mother Had Two Faces” starring Karin Trachtenberg (March 14).
“GUAC: The One Man Show,” awarded Best Production at United Solo’s fall festival, returns for encore performances March 8-10. Six years ago, Manuel Oliver’s son Joaquin “Guac” Oliver was among the 17 murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018. Oliver created “GUAC,” a “searing” (New York Times) tour-de-force theatrical experience about a father turned activist, his undying love for his son, and the story of an immigrant family searching for the American Dream only to instead be confronted by a uniquely American Nightmare. GUAC is written and performed by Manuel Oliver, co-written by James Clements, and directed by Michael Cotey.
“It makes me feel very connected to my son,” said Manuel Oliver of GUAC in an interview with The New York Times. “I’m a father. I’m Joaquin’s dad. Fathers, that’s what we do. We sit around the table, and we talk about our kids. I want to feel that I also have that right. How am I using that right? Through theater.”
“I created United Solo to give solo artists a voice to speak about the world as they see it,” said Omar Sangare, Founder and Artistic Director of United Solo. Sangre continued: “I can think of no better example of this than Manuel Oliver’s GUAC. In telling the story of his son, Manuel creates the space to start a conversation. This is what good theatre does; it opens the door to changing our hearts and minds.”
“Through Manuel’s eyes, we are introduced to his son, which makes his loss all the more palpable,” said Wendy-Lane Bailey, Assistant Artistic Director of United Solo. “We keenly sense what has been left undone yet are inspired to move forward with joy and empathy to make a difference.”
United Solo’s spring festival culminates with Festival Assistant Artistic Director Wendy-Lane Bailey’s show, “Remembering My Dreams: The Michele Brourman Songbook,” directed by Omar Sangare, on April 27; and United Solo’s Closing Night Gala on April 28, 2024. The Closing Night Gala features awards for outstanding productions, including the Audience Choice Award.
For the complete schedule and tickets, please visit festival.unitedsolo.org/shows. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at the Theatre Row box office: https://bfany.org/theatre-row/shows/united-solo-spring-festival-2024/.
For more info, facts & figures, please visit our Press Center at: https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or +1 (201)787-4995.
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For Immediate Release
February 5, 2024
New York City
Tickets Now On Sale for United Solo Theatre Festival’s 16th Season
Featuring shows from across the country and around the globe, the world’s largest solo theatre festival opens its sixteenth season on March 4 and runs through April 28, 2024 (Theatre Row, 410 West 42 Street, New York City).
The spring festival will take place in an exciting new space at Theatre Row featuring a larger theater with increased seating capacity and additional backstage space for artists and companies.
With tickets for United Solo’s sixteenth season now on sale, Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare said, “United Solo has grown in scope and stature over the years thanks to our outstanding performers, staff, and audiences. To me, this festival is like our statue of liberty – liberating the voices of so many solo performers. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to see creatives from around the world meet, share, support, and celebrate solo theater in the heart of the world’s most vibrant theatre scene.”
More than sixty productions will take the stage this spring, including award winners, returning artists, and world premieres. The collaborative environment at United Solo supports the arts and social justice, and the red carpet grows more star-studded each season, as established and award-winning film and television actors turn out to support friends, professionals, and colleagues.
This season includes the return of “GUAC, My Son, My Hero,” written and performed by Manuel Oliver. Oliver’s 17-year-old son, Joaquin (Guac), was killed in 2018 by a mass shooter at his school in Parkland, Florida. Directed by Michael Cotey and produced by Change the Ref and ENOUGH!, “GUAC” is a fearless, funny, one-man tour-de-force about a father turned activist, his undying love for his son, and the story of an immigrant family in search of the American Dream only to be confronted by a uniquely American nightmare.
Veteran stage and screen performer Bellina Logan returns to United Solo with her award-winning “Confessions of a Mulatto Love Child,” a heartfelt, funny, and at times sobering tale of a bi-racial child growing up with her larger than life, acerbic British mother.
Written and performed by Maegan Mandarino, “Big Hair” is a Vaudeville-esque musical highlighting the dynamic relationship between Gilda Radner and Gene Wilder. A portion of every ticket purchased is donated to the charity that Gene Wilder co-founded for Gilda Radner.
“Sped Kid,” written and performed by Adam Linn, tells the story of a scrappy, twelve-year-old city kid with failing vision who faces seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Nadeen Gautier’s “Mami, What’s Your 20?” is a Spanglish dramedy that follows a Nuyorican single mother of two living in Los Angeles, who is on a mission to pass her Class A test to provide for her family.
United Solo presents the world premiere of “Moonlight Reflections with Garbo,” written and performed by Juliet Morrison. Relive moments in her life that made Greta Garbo who she was and find pieces of your soul through Garbo’s eyes.
The spring festival culminates on April 28, 2024, with United Solo’s Closing Night Gala featuring awards for outstanding productions and a performance created by Omar Sangare and Festival Assistant Artistic Director Wendy-Lane Bailey.
For the complete schedule and tickets, please visit festival.unitedsolo.org/shows. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at the Theatre Row box office: https://bfany.org/theatre-row/shows/united-solo-spring-festival-2024/.
For more info, Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at: https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or (201)787-4995.
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For Immediate Release
November 20, 2023
New York City
United Solo Concludes 2023 Fall Season With Grand Awards Gala
Opening its 15th season on September 25 with a record-breaking week of sold-out shows, United Solo’s fall festival featured over sixty solo artists from across the globe in its eight-week run. Every genre, from comedy to dance, was represented, including twenty-eight sold out shows. The Festival attracted New York’s audiences including solo theatre enthusiasts, city visitors, the press, and show business stars. Over its season, United Solo brought audiences together and fulfilled its mission to promote diversity and awareness. The lineup of shows offered theatergoers plenty of variety and included the most popular piece, “Mister Halston,” performed by Ken Barnett. United Solo concluded its 15th season on November 19 with an Awards Gala.
In GUAC, recently featured by the New York Times, Manuel Oliver took the stage and shared his story about losing his son in the Parkland shooting. Susan Sarandon attended Mr. Oliver’s show and was truly moved by the message Oliver shared with the audience. Ms. Sarandon acknowledged the show as a “brilliant example of taking pain and loss and making art to bring change.”
Describing the allure of United Solo, Omar Sangare, Founder and Artistic Director, spoke of theatre as “not a destination, but a vehicle taking us to places beyond the theatre. It is when we forget that we are watching the show and instead feel transported beyond the theatre box.” Sangare recognized this fall’s outstanding solo performers at the Gala on Sunday, November 19.
The Festival’s special two-act Gala was a celebration of the talent, bravery, and dedication of solo artists. Act one featured Wendy-Lane Bailey, Associate Artistic Director of United Solo, in her performance Remembering My Dreams, a theatrical concert exploring the music of composer Michele Brourman and directed by Omar Sangare. The show was a song cycle featuring a dozen songs composed by Brourman.
In the second act, United Solo recognized the work of fall festival artists. Awards included Best Production, the Audience Choice Award, and the All About Solo Critics’ Award. In addition, United Solo presented its Special Award for an outstanding solo performance that took place outside of the current season. This year’s Special Award nominees were Lewis Black, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Charles Busch, Liz Callaway, Alex Edelman, Judy Gold, James T. Lane, Trevor Noah, Nancy Redman, and Wanda Sykes.
Sangare presented the 2023 Special Award to Charles Busch, playwright, director, cabaret performer, and author of the new book, Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy. Charles Busch, Tony Award-nominated writer of Tales of the Allergist’s Wife and the long-running hit Off-Broadway play Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, and a Sundance Festival award winner, has occupied a unique place in the entertainment world over his more than 40-year career.
In his acceptance speech Mr. Busch said, “It ain’t easy being a solo performer… I really would like to thank United Solo for this beautiful award and for making this solo performer, both on stage and off stage, feel a part of something bigger.”
Charles Busch joins illustrious honorees of the United Solo Special Award including Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), Ian McKellen (2020), Lee Roy Reams (2021), and Dael Orlandersmith (2022).
As United Solo concludes its Fall 2023 season, it is accepting submissions for its Spring 2024 Season at Theatre Row. Artist and companies can apply at: https://unitedsolo.org/nyc-spring-2024/apply/.
The full list of award winners at the 2023 United Solo Festival includes:
United Solo Special Award: Charles Busch in “Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy”
Best Production: “GUAC” written & performed by Manuel Oliver
Best One-Man Show: “The Book of Shame” performed by Victor Verhaeghe
Best One-Woman Show: “Unseen” performed by Kimberly Prentice
Best International Show: “Macbeth (Solo)” performed by Paul Goodwin
The United Solo Audience Award: “Mister Halston” performed by Ken Barnett
Best Actress: Almanya Narula in “Noor Inayat Khan: The Forgotten Spy”
Best Actor: Ken Barnett in “Mister Halston”
Best Storyteller: Sean Allison in “If It Bleeds It Leads”
Best Direction: Greg Allen, “Pulling It All Into The Current”
Best Encore: “Tales of a Blerd Ballerina” performed by Valoneecia Tolbert
Best Musical: “My Grandmother’s Mind Is Like An Ocean” performed by Matthew Shifrin
Best Drama: “Pulling It All Into The Current” performed by Letta Neely
Best Comedy: “Does This Show Make Me Look Fat?” performed by Cathy Ladman
Best Storytelling Show: “Things I Learned In Isolation” performed by Mary Miller
Best Physical Theatre: “Medea’s Burqa” performed by Marsela Lena
Best Biographical Show: “My Life is Not My Own” performed by Lucinda Carr
Best Cabaret: “Hot Boys” performed by Kali Tripodis
Best Concert: “Keith Moon: The Real Me” performed by Mick Berry
Best Script: “Mister Halston” by Raffael Pacitti
Best Song: “Sleeping in America” composed & performed by Dana McCoy
Best New York Premiere: “Ms. Rebel” performed by Mehrnaz Mohammadi
Best Emerging Artist: Holly Smith in “Radically Unsure”
All About Solo Critics’ Award: “Under Your Skin” performed by Jackie Smook
*The winner of the 2023 All About Solo Critics’ Award was chosen by the staff writers of www.allaboutsolo.com
**The winner of the Audience Award was chosen in an online poll at United Solo
***Winners are selected by an independent panel of over eighty theatre professionals, including The United Solo Academy Members
For more info, Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at: https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or (201)787-4995.
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For Immediate Release
October 9, 2023
New York City
United Solo Features Special Presentation from Manuel Oliver and Change the Ref
United Solo opened its 15th season on September 25 to a record-breaking week of sold-out shows. Sixty solo artists take the stage at Theatre Row on 42nd Street this fall, including twenty-one sell outs. Audiences have four more weeks to attend the world’s largest solo theatre festival before the Closing Gala and Awards Presentation on November 19, 2023.
On November 3, 2023, the festival will feature a special presentation of GUAC, My Son, My Hero written by Manuel Oliver and James Clements, and performed by Manuel Oliver. Oliver’s 17-year-old son, Joaquin (nicknamed Guac), was killed in 2018 by a mass shooter at his school in Parkland, Florida. Directed by Michael Cotey and produced by Change the Ref and ENOUGH!, GUAC is a fearless, funny, one-man tour-de-force about a father turned activist, his undying love for his son, and the story of an immigrant family in search of the American Dream only to be confronted by a uniquely American nightmare.
Oliver co-founded the non-profit advocacy group, Change the Ref (changetheref.org), to change the dialogue around gun violence in America by voting out politicians who take NRA money and voting in politicians with gun-safety agendas. Change the Ref seeks to amplify and support youth efforts and movement building, and shift America’s social response to gun violence by uniting creativity, activism, disruption, and education.
Michael Cotey (director/producer) is the Joaquin Oliver Artistic Producer behind ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence (enoughplays.com), a nationwide playwriting initiative that calls on teens to confront gun violence by creating new works of theatre that will spark critical conversations and inspire meaningful action. Now in its third year, ENOUGH! has received more than 500 short plays by teen writers and more than 100 organizations have participated in ENOUGH!’s two nationwide readings.
GUAC (https://www.enoughplays.com/guac) had a one-night-only performance in Chicago on August 5, 2023, the day after what would have been Joaquin’s 23rd birthday. This is what the audience had to say:
“I will never forget last night. He told the TRUTH.”
“It was a remarkable, important, and emotional experience. Congratulations to all of you – vital theater and storytelling to be sure.”
“Still reeling from last night’s performance of GUAC. So incredibly powerful, moving, heartwrenching, maddening and, surprisingly, funny. Manny is a charismatic, authentic, and effective spokesman for the cause. It should be required viewing in Congress, State and City legislatures. Great directing job, as well. The sound, lighting, music all worked perfectly.”
Tickets for GUAC, My Son, My Hero and this season’s other solo shows are now on sale and may be purchased by visiting https://unitedsolo.org/the-annual-united-solo-theatre-festival-fall-2023/ or at the Theatre Row box office https://bfany.org/theatre-row/shows/united-solo-fall-festival-2023/.
United Solo is currently accepting submissions for its Spring 2024 Season at Theatre Row. Artist and companies can apply at: https://unitedsolo.org/nyc-spring-2024/apply/.
For more info, Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at: https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or (201)787-4995.
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For Immediate Release
October 9, 2023
New York City
United Solo Theatre Festival Announces Nominees for the 2023 Special Award
United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, is pleased to announce the nominees for the annual Special Award, presented each year to an outstanding solo performance that takes place outside of United Solo’s current season. This year’s nominees, selected by the United Solo Academy – an international group of theatre professionals from all corners of the performing arts industry – are artists who remind us of the immense power of a singular performer and the wonderous possibilities of solo storytelling.
“These ten nominees show that solo performance is an exceptional medium for addressing important social, political, and personal matters,” says United Solo Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare. “In a solo piece, performers at every point in their careers can tell their stories and connect with a live audience in a way they cannot in any other format”
The 2023 United Solo Special Award nominees are: Lewis Black (Tragically, I Need You), Dee Dee Bridgewater (Dee Dee Bridgewater with NYO Jazz), Charles Busch (Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy), Liz Callaway (Screen Gems), Alex Edelman (Just for Us), Judy Gold (Yes, I Can Say That!), James T. Lane (Triple Threat), Trevor Noah (I Wish You Would), Nancy Redman (A Séance with Mom), andWanda Sykes (I’m an Entertainer).
Picking up where his last special left off, Lewis Black brings his inimitable insights to the “post”-pandemic state of world in Tragically, I Need You. Black’s comedic brilliance lies in his ability to make people laugh at the absurdities of life, with topics that include current events, social media, politics, and anything else that exposes the hypocrisy and madness he sees in the world. Black has performed for audiences throughout Europe, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States to critical acclaim as a stand-up, actor, and author.
Over the course of a multifaceted career spanning four decades, Grammy and Tony Award-winning Jazz giant Dee Dee Bridgewater has ascended to the upper echelon of vocalists, putting her unique spin on standards, as well as taking intrepid leaps of faith in re-envisioning jazz classics. Her performance of Dee Dee Bridgewater with NYO Jazz at Carnegie Hall this year proved once again how powerful and transcendent her stage presence and voice are.
The Tony Award-nominated writer of Tales of the Allergist’s Wife and the long-running hit Off-Broadway play Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, and a Sundance Festival award winner, Charles Busch has created a unique place in the entertainment world as a playwright, LGBT icon, drag actor, director, and cabaret performer. His 2023 memoir, Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy is a poignant, deliciously anecdotal account of a talented artist’s Oz-like journey in the worlds of Off-Broadway, Broadway, and Hollywood.
Liz Callaway has left an indelible mark on and off Broadway. She has performed in hits like Merrily We Roll Along and Baby, for which she received a Tony nomination. She portrayed Grizabella in Cats and was part of the original cast of Miss Saigon. Callaway has lent her vocal talent to animated films including Anatasia, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, The Return of Jafar, and Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride. Emmy winner Liz Callaway combines favorite numbers from theatre and films in her compelling solo show Screen Gems.
In response to anti-Semitic threats pointed at him online, Alex Edelman decided to go straight to the source in Queens, where he covertly attended a meeting of White Nationalists. The event became the backbone of the relevant and hilarious stories that comprise Just for Us. Edelman is known for his award-winning solo shows, including sell-out hits in London’s West End.
Judy Gold knows the value of a good joke and the steep price of silencing comedians. Unnerved and infuriated, Judy shares her reverence for the intimacy of collective laughter and her passion for the vital work comedians do to bring us together, make us think, and speak truth to power. Based on her book, the comedy veteran took the stage in Yes, I Can Say That! to challenge fascism, political correctness, and short-sighted hypocrites. The show is a call for truth, kindness, and most of all, laughter.
In his solo show Triple Threat, James T. Lane offers a tour through his life: from South Philadelphia to NYC. The show looks behind the facade of Broadway. Underlying the moments of Lane’s rise to fame, beyond the struggles with addiction, which threaten to bring him down, is an even more painful ache: the racism that has accompanied Lane each step of his career. Lane’s virtuoso acting, singing, and dancing draw the audience to experience some of his darkest moments of the soul.
Emmy-winning comedian Trevor Noah filmed his third standup special, I Wish You Would, after announcing that he was ending his tenure on The Daily Show. In the special, Noah performs a series of impressions of U.S. presidents, and tells personal stories of “learning to speak German, modern communication, and his love for curry,” according to the Netflix press release. The show is filled with Noah’s clever sense of humor and delivered brilliantly and effortlessly.
Award winning performer Nancy Redman joined forces with iconic director Austin Pendleton for their fourth collaboration, A Séance with Mom, in 2023. The show consists of nostalgia with sophisticated dark humor. Over the past decade, Nancy’s solo shows have brought her numerous awards at the United Solo Theatre Festival. Redman has earned a place in the top echelon of the nation’s comedians. She was also a two-time prize winner on America’s Funniest People (ABC) and was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
As a follow-up to her Emmy-nominated 2019 stand-up special Not Normal, Wanda Sykes filmed her second Netflix special I’m an Entertainer in February 2023. Known for her social commentary, Sykes delivers “her insightful and ferocious wit and candor audiences have come to know and love,” reads the official description. Aside from her recent specials, Sykes’ other recent credits include “The Upshaws,” HBO Max’s “Velma,” and Netflix’s “Q-Force.”
This year’s United Solo Special Award recipient will be announced at the United Solo Gala on November 19, 2023, at 7 p.m. at Theatre Row NYC. This year’s winner will join illustrious past honorees such as Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), Ian McKellen (2020), Lee Roy Reams (2021), and Dael Orlandersmith (2022).
“The coming months are a boon for theatregoers who love uncrowded stages… with the fall iteration of the cornucopia known as the United Solo Theatre Festival,” (The New York Times, October 6, 2023). Tickets for the United Solo Gala, as well as for this season’s other solo shows are now on sale and may be purchased by visiting https://unitedsolo.org/shows/ or at the Theatre Row box office https://bfany.org/theatre-row/shows/united-solo-fall-festival-2023/.
As United Solo concludes its Fall 2023 season, it is accepting submissions for its Spring 2024 Season at Theatre Row. Artist and companies can apply at: https://unitedsolo.org/nyc-spring-2024/apply/.
For more info, Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at: https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or (201) 787-4995.
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September 24, 2023
New York City
United Solo’s 15th Season Presents Stories That Have a Universal Impact
United Solo is not just a festival: it’s a home for solo artists, with members returning year after year. Sometimes with Encore presentations of popular shows, and sometimes with all new pieces. This year the United Solo Theatre Festival celebrates expanding to two seasons, Spring and Fall.
Alumni returning this fall season with Encore pieces include: El Amari “Play” (Festival Debut Fall 2022); Loree Draude “I Feel the Need” (Best Directing Fall 2021); Valoneecia Tolbert “Tales of a Blerd Ballerina” (Best Debut Spring 2023). And returning with all new shows: Tom Frueh (featured in the 2015, 2017, & 2019 Seasons) with “Haven Waits for Everly”; Tom Schuch (Best Biographical Play Fall 2014) with “Einstein’s Violin”; and Jackie Smook (Best Emerging Artist Spring 2023) with “Under Your Skin.”
“After the pandemic, the festival grows ever stronger. We want to get together after the time of isolation and experience how remarkable it is to meet a solo artist, a survivor, a unifier, and the essences of humanity,” says Omar Sangare, Founder and Artistic Director of United Solo.
Several performers have already sold out their shows and have received additional performances, including “Does This Show Make Me Look Fat?” performed by Cathy Ladman (2 shows SOLD OUT, additional show added Sept. 29 at 8:30pm); “Unseen,” performed by Kimberly Prentice (2 shows SOLD OUT, additional show added Oct. 19 at 8:30pm); “Hummingbird,” performed by Misha Gonz-Cirkl (1 show SOLD OUT, additional show added Oct. 11 at 8:30pm); “Texas Hellfire,” performed by Katharine Everett (1 show SOLD OUT, additional show added Nov. 1 at 8:30pm); “Keith Moon: The Real Me,” performed by Mick Berry (1 show SOLD OUT, additional show added Oct. 25 at 2pm); “After I’m Dead, You’ll Have to Feed Everyone,” performed by Vivien Straus (1 show SOLD OUT, additional show added Oct. 28 at 8:30pm); “Mister Halston,” performed by Ken Barnett (1 show SOLD OUT, additional show added Nov. 18 at 8:30pm); and “I Feel The Need,” performed by Loree Draude (1 show SOLD OUT, additional show added Nov. 4 at 8:30pm).
The festival will conclude its fall season on November 19, 2023 with its Evening Gala at Theatre Row, featuring awards for outstanding productions, including The United Solo Special Award, to be announced soon. The winner will join illustrious past honorees such as Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Celeste Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), Ian McKellen (2020), Lee Roy Reams (2021), and Dael Orlandersmith (2022).
Audiences are invited to vote for their favorite solo show. The winner of this vote receives the United Solo Audience Choice Award at the closing Gala.
As United Solo begins its Fall 2023 season, it is accepting submissions for its Spring 2024 Season at Theatre Row. Artist and companies can apply at: https://unitedsolo.org/nyc-spring-2024/apply/.
The United Solo Festival runs at its home-based Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York City. For the complete schedule and tickets, please visit https://unitedsolo.org/the-annual-united-solo-theatre-festival-fall-2023/. Tickets are $45 and may be purchased at the Theatre Row box office: https://bfany.org/theatre-row/shows/united-solo-fall-festival-2023/.
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan, at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or +1 (201) 787-4995.
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September 11, 2023
New York City
United Solo’s 15th Season Presents Stories That Have a Universal Impact
Currently in its fifteenth season, United Solo Theatre’s fall festival opens on September 25 and runs through November 19, 2023. The world’s largest solo theater festival offers an experience like no other: performers bring their plays to Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York City, and audiences can see more than 60 shows in an intimate black box theater and meet the artists afterward.
The fall season celebrates persistence in many forms, a fitting theme after the pandemic, and looks at how art can help us understand where we came from, how we got here, and what we might dream of doing next. This season’s works include portraits of famous and historic figures, as well as stories about mothers, fathers, and other people you would otherwise never know but whose stories have a universal impact.
One of the most fascinating parts of the United Solo Festival is seeing whose stories artists choose to tell. “Solo theatre offers a place for those who are often unheard to raise their voices to the world. Stories created and told by performers of color, immigrants, and international artists about personal, political, and cultural identity” – says Festival Founder Omar Sangare.
“1953 Race For The Summit” is a show by Nepalese actor and writer Om Raj Raut about Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, who with Sir Edmund Hillary was one of the first two mountaineers to successfully conquer Everest – on his seventh attempt.
“After I’m Dead, You’ll Have to Feed Everyone,” by Vivien Straus, is the true story of Ellen Straus, a refugee from Nazi Europe who married a California dairy farmer and later emerged as an environmental pioneer and matriarch of the organic food movement.
In “Anna,” written by Nick Freedson and performed by Laura Walker, Walker plays a mother struggling with epilepsy and unresolved trauma. “Anna” seeks to answer the questions, “How can we move on? And how should we?”
“GUAC – The One-Man Show” by Manuel Oliver is a social justice theatre piece that tells the true story of Manuel Oliver in the year following the murder of his son Joaquin in the Parkland shooting. Joaquin, affectionately nicknamed Guac, was one of seventeen people murdered on February 14, 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
In “Einstein’s Violin: A Play in Three Movements,” Tom Schuch uses Einstein’s words and favorite classical music to reveal music’s influence on his life and work.
The festival will end on November 19, 2023 at 7:00 PM with its traditional Closing Night Gala at Theatre Row, featuring awards for outstanding productions; The United Solo Special Award, which honors a trailblazing solo artist from outside the festival; and a performance created by Artistic Director Omar Sangare and Festival Assistant Artistic Director Wendy-Lane Bailey, and performed by Bailey.
The United Solo Festival runs at its home-based Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York City. For the complete schedule and tickets, please visit https://unitedsolo.org/the-annual-united-solo-theatre-festival-fall-2023/. Tickets are $45 and may be purchased at the Theatre Row box office: https://bfany.org/theatre-row/shows/united-solo-fall-festival-2023/.
For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan, at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or +1 (201) 787-4995.
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July 17, 2023
New York City
Tickets Now On Sale for United Solo Theatre Festival’s Fall 2023 Season
United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, will open its 15th season at New York City’s Theatre Row on September 26, 2023, with a performance of two-time Lambda Literary Award Finalist Letty Neely’s play, “Pulling It All Into the Current.” Running through November 19, 2023, the festival features daily performances of a diverse group of shows from around the world.
“We are truly excited to see the festival thriving with more and more shows returning to the stage,” says Festival Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare. “Every year we are amazed by the ingenuity of our artists from around the globe in finding different ways to tell a story. We are all united through our mission of bringing understanding, diversity, and respect to the stage.”
As audiences have come to expect, this year’s festival features work by artists across the spectrum, from new talents to award-winners, with extensive experience in all areas of the entertainment industry. Stand-up comedian Cathy Ladman’s comic take on her struggles with an eating disorder, “Does This Show Make Me Look Fat,” makes its New York City debut at the United Solo Festival. Ladman, who has written for and appeared on numerous TV shows including “Tonight Show,” “The Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” and Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” was named Best Female Standup Comic at the 1992 American Comedy Awards. Victor Verhaeghe’s (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Law & Order SVU,” the forthcoming “Bad Education” with Hugh Jackman, Alison Janey, and Ray Romano) new show “The Book of Shame” will make its world premiere on United Solo’s stage. Misha Gonz-Cirkl (“This Is Us,” “Speechless,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “NCIS: Los Angeles”) brings her autobiographical show “Hummingbird” to the fall festival with direction by Drama Desk and NAACP Award nominee Juliette Jeffers. The festival will also feature a special presentation of “GUAC: My Son, My Hero” written and performed by Manuel Oliver, whose son Joaquin was one of the seventeen students killed in the Parkland Shooting. The tragedy led him to found Change the Ref, an organization devoted to changing the dialogue around gun violence in America.
In addition, three United Solo alums return to the festival with their award-winning pieces: Valoneecia Tolbert’s “Tales of a Blerd Ballerina” (Best New York Premiere in Spring 2023), Jackie Smook’s “Under Your Skin” (Best Emerging Artist in Spring 2023), and Loree Draude’s “I Feel the Need” (Best Direction in Fall 2021).
Diversity, equity, and inclusion have been a large part of United Solo’s mission from its inception. Omar Sangare adds, “Solo theatre offers a place for those who are often unheard to raise their voices to the world. Stories created and told by performers of color, immigrants, and international artists about personal, political, and cultural identity have always been an important part of our programming.”
Following in that tradition are several pieces exploring identity, from Kira Powell’s “Caught in the Mix,” her story of discovering her multi-race heritage, to former “Project Runway” model Lea Mihevc’s solo piece, titled “Where Are You From, Girl?”. A long lineup of offerings brings history to life through the eyes of the people who made it. This includes Lucinda Carr’s “My Life Is Not My Own” about Harriet Tubman; Nelia McNicol in “They Called Me Rita,” illuminating the life of the legendary Rita Hayworth; “I’m Harvey Milk” featuring Ben Beasley; and Mick Berry in “Keith Moon: The Real Me,” with music direction by The Who’s musical director Frank Sims. Sims has recorded and performed with Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Martha Davis, and Don Henley; received awards for platinum records and several Grammy Award nominations; and composed over 1,400 pieces of music for such companies as Paramount TV and Los Angeles Post Music. Among the international offerings are Polish actress Agnieszka Kazimierska in “Katie’s Tales,” created in collaboration with the famed Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards/Fondazione Teatro della Toscana.
The festival will end on November 19 at 7:00 PM with its traditional Closing Night Gala at Theatre Row, featuring awards for outstanding productions; The United Solo Special Award, which honors a trailblazing solo artist from outside the festival; and a performance created by Artistic Director Omar Sangare and Festival Assistant Artistic Director Wendy-Lane Bailey, and performed by Bailey.
The United Solo Festival runs at its home-based Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York City. For the complete schedule and tickets, please visit https://unitedsolo.org/the-annual-united-solo-theatre-festival-fall-2023/. Tickets are $45 and may be purchased at the Theatre Row box office: https://bfany.org/theatre-row/shows/united-solo-fall-festival-2023/. For more info, facts, and figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center. Press queries should be directed to the festival’s Communications Director, Stephanie Eagan, at stephanieeagan@unitedsolo.org or +1 (201) 787-4995.
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March 27, 2023
New York City
United Solo Closes 2023 SPRING SEASON With Grand Awards Gala
This year, the Festival launched an all-new Spring Season to expand United Solo’s solo performances at Theatre Row in New York City ahead of its Fall 2023 Festival.
The Spring Festival culminated in a two-act Closing Gala on March 26, 2023, at 7pm at Theatre Row. Wendy-Lane Bailey presented “She Has Wings,” a musical directed by Omar Sangare, with music by Michele Brourman.
In the second act of the Gala, United Solo Theatre Festival recognized the work of the Festival artists who presented their shows on stage at Theatre Row this Spring. In addition, United Solo recognized notable performances on their streaming platform, United Solo Screen.
The Festival is now accepting Submissions for its 2023 Fall Season at Theatre Row. Artist and companies can apply at: www.unitedsolo.org/nyc-fall-2023/
The list of Awards for shows performed on-stage at Theatre Row includes:
Best Production: “SPADURA” performed by Starring Dahéli Hall
Best One-Man Show: “Tom Shillue: Spontaneous Combustion” by Tom Shillue
Best One-Woman Show: “SPADURA” performed by Starring Dahéli Hall
Best International Show: “Macbeth’s Lady Shaman” performed by Jiyoung Choi
The Festival Audience Choice Award: “Life’s Rich Pageant” performed by Rich Gustafson
Best Actress: Jodie Markell in “Leni’s Last Lament”
Best Actor: Mitchell Anderson in “You Better Call Your Mother”
Best Storyteller: Jessica Bashline in “Ann and Me: or The Big Bad Abortion Play”
Best Direction: Richard Caliban, “Leni’s Last Lament”
Best Encore: “The Miseducation of Ms. Freeman” performed by Alaina Freeman
Best Drama: “Blackout: A One Woman Show” performed by Hailey Henderson
Best Musical: “Things I Know Now…” performed by Nikki MacCallum
Best Comedy: “So She Married a Guido” performed by Guido Cocomello
Best Physical Theatre: “El mundo es una planta carnivora…” by María Kemp
Best Storytelling Show: “Too Fat for China” performed by Phoebe Potts
Best Autobiographical Show: “Losing My Religion” performed by Laura Ekstrand
Best Poetry Show: “t)re(equilt” performed by kARE: n____EiLbacher
Best Satire: “The Handmaid’s Dianetics Episode 1” performed by Joyce Miller
Best Dance Show: “TAL – An Award Winning Dance-Theater” by Tal Levy Cohen
Best NY Premiere: “Tales of a Blerd Ballerina” performed by Valoneecia Tolbert
Best Emerging Artist: Jackie Smook in “The Jackie Smook Program of De-Dumb-Ification”
Best Festival Debut: Dikelo Mamiale in “NEXT!!! auditions are not for the faint of heart”
Best Script: “Leni’s Last Lament” written by Gil Kofman
Best Lighting Design: Shane Matthews for ten shows at the Festival
All About Solo Critics’ Award: “Hold Still” performed by Susan Kuralt
Best Song: “Indian Boy” by Michele Brourman & Karen Gottlieb sang by Wendy-Lane Bailey
The list of Awards for shows featured on www.screen.unitedsolo.org includes:
Best Screen Production: “Ella y Yo” by Gilda Mercado
Best Screen Drama: “Woody’s Order!” by Ann Talman
Best International Screen Solo: “Shadow Boxing” by Alex Montaldo
Best Screen Solo Performer: Sean Astin in “Fire in the Garden”
Best Poetry Screen Show: “Runnin’ to Grace” by Rashida K. Braggs
Best Autobiographical Screen Show: “My Dead Wife” by Mike Folie
Best Screen Storyteller: Christopher Tajah in “Under Heaven’s Eyes”
*The winner of the 2023 All About Solo Critics’ Award was chosen by the staff writers of www.allaboutsolo.com
**The winner of the Audience Award was chosen in an online poll at United Solo
***Winners are selected by an independent panel of over eighty theatre professionals, including The United Solo Academy Members
More information available at: www.unitedsolo.org/shows/.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director, at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center.
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March 24, 2023
New York City
United Solo Hosts Closing Gala for Its Inaugural Spring Season
For more than a decade, United Solo has presented its annual Fall Theatre Festival featuring local and international productions including storytelling, puppetry, dance, multimedia, improv, stand-up, magic, musical, and drama performances. This year, the Festival launched an all-new Spring season to expand United Solo’s solo performances at Theatre Row in New York City ahead of its Fall 2023 Festival.
The Spring Festival debuted on March 7, 2023 and offered a diverse range of well-attended performances. “There are as many ways to present a solo piece as there are artists,” said Omar Sangare, founder of United Solo. “Our artists are deeply innovative and inspiring… we could not be more pleased with the outcome of our first Spring Festival.” Nearly half of shows sold out and received an additional performance date.
United Solo’s Spring Festival culminates in a two-act gala on March 26, 2023, at 7:00 pm at Theatre Row. Wendy-Lane Bailey, Associated Artistic Director of United Solo, will present “She Has Wings,” a musical performance dedicated to the bravery, creativity, and artistry of United Solo’s artists. The show is directed by United Solo’s Founder and Artistic Director, Omar Sangare, with music by Michele Brourman.
In the second act of the Closing Gala, United Solo Theatre Festival will recognize the work of the Festival artists who presented their shows on stage at Theatre Row this Spring. Awards include Best Production, the Audience Choice Award, and the All About Solo Critics’ Award. In addition, United Solo will present awards for notable performances on their streaming platform, United Solo Screen. To learn more and cast your vote today, visit https://screen.unitedsolo.org/.
Sangare looks forward to including awards for outstanding performances on United Solo Screen at this year’s Closing Gala. “Recognizing outstanding performances brings more awareness to the craft and allows those who can’t attend the Festival in-person to see what solo theatre is all about.”
Tickets for the United Solo Gala, as well as for other solo shows presented this season at Theatre Row, can be purchased by visiting https://unitedsolo.org/shows/.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director, at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center.
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For Immediate Release
February 20, 2023
New York City
United Solo Theatre Kicks Off Its Additional Spring Festival March 7th
United Solo Theatre Festival’s new spring festival comes to Theatre Row in New York City from March 7 through March 26, 2023. The spring season offers over three dozen shows in the genres of comedy, tragedy, performance art, dance, music, storytelling, puppetry, cabaret, and multimedia. Featuring artists from all over the U.S. and other countries including Canada, Mexico, Germany, Israel, Iran, South Africa, and South Korea, the spring festival will debut 18 world premieres, 11 New York City premieres, and four U.S. premieres. The rich variety of stories touch on themes of addiction, family sagas, current events, historical figures and more. The full lineup of shows is featured at www.unitedsolo.org/shows.
Completing the ten-week fall festival that will run later this year, the new spring festival will offer a three-week run for audiences enthusiastic about the 14th annual season later this Fall. “We expanded the United Solo Festival to include a spring season based on the tremendous response we got from artists and audiences in the Fall of 2022. Projects from around the world that were developed during the pandemic are ready to be shared with our New York audience in a space that has been joyfully celebrating solo theater for over 13 years,” said Festival Founder Omar Sangare.
The season offerings this spring include a lineup of new talents as well as well-accomplished solo performers. Mitchell Anderson, celebrity chef from Atlanta and Emmy nominee for For After Forever (Amazon Prime) appears in You Better Call Your Mother. The team of writer Gil Kofman (McDowell Fellow and Feature Award winner, Edmonton International Film Festival for his film The Memory Thief), director Richard Caliban (Obie and Outer Critics Circle Award winner), and actor Jodie Markell (Obie Award winning actor and director) present the world premiere of Leni’s Last Lament. Poet Karen Eilbacher, GLADD Media award winner, and actor from the national tour of Fun Home, introduces the show t)re(equilt. Tom Shillue,actor, writer, and comedian known for his appearances on The Daily Show, Comedy Central, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Fox News presents Spontaneous Combustion. Dahéli Hall, best known from MADtv, and a finalist in the HBO short films awards, brings her show Spadura to the festival. Dikelo Mamiala’s cabaret performance Next!!! Auditions are not for the Faint of Heart raises “questions of identity, belonging and opportunity in an industry dominated by white performers.” Tales of A Blerd Ballerina, by Valoneecia Tolbert is a choreopoem centered on the Blerd (Black Nerd) superhero that weaves concepts from the Afro-Diaspora and style of Jazz Aesthetics into stories of growing up as a Blerd child of the 90s. Maria Kemp presents The World is a Carnivorous Plant (winner of Best Play, Best Director, and Best Actress at the 4th Cairo International Monodrama Days Festival, Egypt) a self-fictional solo told through body percussion, tap and Mexican sign language.
The festival will close on March 26, 2023, at 7:00 PM, with a two-act Gala recognizing not only the work of the festival artists at Theatre Row, but for the very first time also recognizing outstanding work from United Solo Screen, an online solo performance streaming service.
Visit www.unitedsolo.org for the full lineup of shows and to purchase tickets.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director, at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center
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November 20, 2022
New York City
United Solo Closes 2022 Season With Awards Gala For Many
In the culmination of a seven-week run that featured over seventy one-person theatre productions from across the globe, the world’s largest solo theatre festival concluded its thirteenth season at Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York on November 20, with this year’s awards gala. On behalf of the United Solo Academy, Dr. Omar Sangare, artistic director of the festival, presented the United Solo Special Award to Dael Orlandersmith for her performance in “Until the Flood.”
In her acceptance speech Ms. Orlandersmithsaid, “I’m more than honored, and very humbled — because I’m looking at the other nominees, and to be in this company I’m in…oh yes! And I’m glad also that you acknowledge this genre of theatre, as many people don’t recognize how challenging solo theatre is. Thank you so very much for the work you do!” Dael Orlandersmith will join illustrious honorees of the United Solo Special Award including Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), Ian McKellen (2020), and Lee Roy Reams (2021).
This year’s season, which debuted on October 4, 2022, offered a robust selection of performances in categories including drama, comedy, stand‑up, musical theatre, dance, performance art and others. Many shows sold out and received additional performance dates by popular demand. Over half the shows at the festival were presented for the first time on a New York City stage, and several pieces made their world premieres.
In addition to the Special Award, the festival presented awards to its participants in the categories of Best One-Man and One-Woman Show, Best Direction, Best Actor and Actress, as well as the United Solo Audience Award, chosen in an online vote by festival attendees. The online publication All About Solo presented its Critics’ Choice Award, awarded by its staff writers.
This year’s gala began with a special presentation of “She Has Wings,” a song cycle by composer Michele Brourman, performed by Wendy-Lane Bailey, and directed by festival artistic director, Omar Sangare. Sangare and Bailey conceived the show as a tribute to this season’s artists and the stories they have shared.
In its thirteenth season, United Solo once again supported members of the performing arts community by fundraising for the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly known as The Actors Fund). The Entertainment Fund helps professionals during times of transition and has been especially vital to the theatre community throughout the pandemic.
In addition, the festival is now accepting submissions for its 2023 Spring Season at Theatre Row. Artist and companies can apply at: https://unitedsolo.org/nyc-spring-2023
The full list of award winners at the 2022 United Solo Festival includes:
United Solo Special Award: Dael Orlandersmith in “Until the Flood”
Best Production: “The Shot” performed by Sharon Lawrence
Best One-Woman Show: “La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas” by Shelley Cooper
Best One-Man Show: “Love/Love” by Josh Raff
The United Solo Audience Choice Award: “The Shot” performed by Sharon Lawrence
Best International Show: “The Child Behind the Eyes” performed by Manca Ogorevc
Best Actress: Sharon Lawrence in “The Shot”
Best Actor: Raoul Bhaneja in “Hamlet (solo)”
Best Storyteller: Michael Irvin Pollard in “By The Light”
Best Direction: Gretchen Cryer
Best Encore: “DISORDERED…” performed by Bella Florence
Best Drama: “RAG HEAD: An American Story” performed by Sundeep Morrison
Best Musical: “Doing Time With Lavinia” performed by Susan Campanaro
Best Comedy: “FURY!” performed by Lauren Bone Noble
Best Physical Theatre: “HOMO AMERICANUS” performed by Paul Cimpoieru
Best Storytelling Show: “Hold On Tight: A Love Story” performed by Meg Flather
Best Autobiographical Show: “Un-M-Othered…” by Liz DeBetta
Best New York Premiere: “Norwid’s Return” performed by Marek Probosz
All About Solo Critics’ Award: “Too young to be a widow” by Susana Hornos
Best Emerging Actor: Leeth Singhage AKA Shoodie in “GROWTHesque”
Best Emerging Actress: Tami Evans in “Off The Rails”
Best Festival Debut: Kathryn Taylor Smith in “A Mile In My Shoes”
Best Concert: “Fingernails in the Side of the Cliff” performed by Tina deVaron
Best Composer: Lynn Portas, “Doing Time With Lavinia”
Best Song: “She Has Wings”by Michele Brourman & Adryan Russ
Best Lighting Design: Vicky Scott, “The Shot”
*The winner of the 2022 All About Solo Critics’ Award was chosen by the staff writers of www.allaboutsolo.com
**The winner of the Audience Award was chosen in an online poll at United Solo
***Winners are selected by an independent panel of over eighty theatre professionals, including The United Solo Academy Members
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director, at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center
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November 2, 2022
New York City
United Solo Theatre Festival Announces Nominees for the 2022 Special Award
United Solo is pleased to announce the nominees for their thirteenth annual Special Award, presented each year to an outstanding solo performance that takes place outside of the festival. This year’s nominees, selected by the United Solo Academy – an international group of theatre professionals from all corners of the industry – represent the rich spectrum of performances within the genre.
“These eight nominees prove that the art of solo performance is alive and thriving,” says United Solo Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare. “Audiences are hungry for connection, and nothing is more resonant than a single person with a compelling story.”
The 2022 United Solo Special Award nominees are: Kathleen Chalfant in The Year of Magical Thinking, Melissa Etheridge in My Window-A Journey Through Life, Douglas McGrath in Everything’s Fine, Dael Orlandersmith in Until the Flood, Chazz Palminteri in A Bronx Tale, David Strathairn in Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski, Cecily Strong in The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe, and Kathleen Turner in Finding My Voice.
This year’s United Solo Special Award recipient will be announced at the United Solo Gala on November 20, 2022, at 7 p.m. at Theatre Row NYC. This year’s winner will join illustrious past honorees such as Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), Ian McKellen (2020), and Lee Roy Reams (2021).
Tickets for the United Solo Gala, as well as for other solo shows presented this season at Theatre Row, are now on sale and may be purchased by visiting https://unitedsolo.org/shows/
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center.
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October 3, 2022
New York City
United Solo Theatre Kicks Off Its 2022 Season on Tuesday, October 4th
The world’s largest solo theatre festival, United Solo, is back for its thirteenth season with productions from around the globe including drama, dance, multimedia, improv, musical and storytelling. The festival will run from October 4 until November 20 at Theatre Row in the heart of New York City’s theatre district. The full lineup of shows is featured at: www.unitedsolo.org
This year’s lineup includes Emmy-nominated actor Sharon Lawrence as Washington Post Publisher Katharine Graham in “The Shot.” Opera singer and actor Shelley Cooper appears in “La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas,” which has already garnered many theatre awards. Original musicals include those created by renowned composers such as Tina DeVaron, whose songs have climbed the ranks of the Billboard charts, as well as ASCAP Foundation and Johnny Mercer award winner Michele Brourman. There are also several international offerings on the bill. Canada’s Raoul Bhaneja, who was last seen onscreen opposite Jessica Chastain in “Miss Sloane,” will perform his critically acclaimed “Hamlet (Solo).” Shows from Canada, France, Poland, Romania, Spain, Turkey, and the UK, among others, reflect the vibrance of a thriving global theatre community.
“At the Festival, audiences will travel the world – without ever leaving their seats. From Theatre Row in New York City, audiences are transported into the countries, cultures, and stories of more than seventy unique productions,” said Festival Founder Omar Sangare. The festival has featured over one thousand shows on its stage and continues to delight and inspire audiences and artists well into the Festival’s second decade. On November 20th, the Closing Gala will present a “She Has Wings,” a special performance developed by Festival Artistic Director Omar Sangare and the Festival’s Assistant Artistic Director Wendy-Lane Bailey. “She has Wings” will honor the contributions of the Festival’s artists to the solo theatre community. “Our solo performers put themselves in front of audiences every night. Their courage in revealing their hearts and souls to the world is astounding,” says Sangare, “They constantly inspire us. We wanted to create something for our performers to recognize their contributions.”
The United Solo Special Award, created to honor an outstanding solo performer, will be presented at the Gala. Billy Crystal, Ian McKellan, Michael Moore, John Leguizamo, Patti LuPone, Leroy Reams, Fiona Shaw, and Renée Taylor are among past recipients of the Award.
Tickets and complete festival schedule can be found at www.unitedsolo.org/shows
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org, +1 (646) 824-9757. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center.
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July 6, 2022
New York City
Tickets Now on Sale for United Solo’s 2022 Festival
United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, opens its door to the new season this year. The festival will run from October 3 until November 20 at Theatre Row in the heart of New York City theatre district. The full lineup of shows is featured at the festival’s website: http://www.unitedsolo.org
In 2022, the festival, featuring several dozen shows from across the globe. The seven-week event offers a variety of shows for theatregoers. Emmy-nominated actor Sharon Lawrence appears in “The Shot,” based on an incident in the life of Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham. There are several musical pieces featuring the work of well-known composers such as Tina De Varon, whose piece “Fingernails on the Side of the Cliff” is directed by Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle winner Gretchen Cryer. “She Has Wings” features the music of Michele Brourman, performed by Wendy-Lane Bailey and directed by the festival’s Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare.
Several shows making their New York premiere come to the festival having already garnered numerous awards. Kathryn Taylor Smith’s “A Mile in My Shoes,” directed by Zadia Ife, was awarded an NAACP Theatre Award for Best One Person Show, and the Festival Favorite Award at the Atlanta Black Theatre Awards. While Raoul Bhaneja’s “Hamlet (Solo)” has already been performed in twenty-five cities in the US and Canada and has taken home the Montreal English Critic’s Circle Award for Best Visiting Production. Golfer Chris Fuller’s show “Cheese Fries & Froot Loops” was directed by renowned director Mark S. Graham and produced by Drama Desk Awards Executive Producer Robert R. Blume.
“Last year was our comeback from COVID. This year is a year of growth for us,” says Sangare. “It’s not just that we have more shows in 2022 it’s that we have an incredibly diverse group of artists. We have shows from Israel, Turkey, France, the United Kingdom and from all over the US. Some are funny, some are tragic, some are modern updates of classic plays, some are experimental, all are worth seeing. United Solo continues to connect artists and audiences in this new and exciting time for solo theatre.”
Tickets and complete festival schedule may be found at: https://unitedsolo.org/the-13th-annual-united-solo-theatre-festival/
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, Assistant Artistic Director at United Solo at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
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January 19, 2022
New York City
United Solo Announces Extended Submissions for Its 2022 Annual New York Festival
Due to popular demand, The United Solo Theatre Festival, the largest solo performance festival in the world, is extending open submissions for the 2022 Annual United Solo Theatre Festival at Theatre Row Theatres in New York City. Interested artists now have until February 1st to submit their solo pieces for consideration for next fall’s festival.
“With the advent of the health crises, we were lucky to return to our resident stage in New York’s theatre district this past fall, while many performers are struggling to find their footing creatively,” says Festival Founder and Artistic Director Omar Sangare. “By extending our submission period, we feel we are giving them a chance to do this by showcasing their solo piece in 2022.”
United Solo has a long tradition of featuring award-winning, internationally-renowned performers, as well as emerging talents. Artists and companies are welcome to submit shows representing a variety of solo forms, including dramas, comedies, movement pieces, storytelling, and spoken word, among others. Completed pieces, as well as works in progress will be considered. The applications can be found online at: https://unitedsolo.org/nyc-2022/about/
This year’s festival was a New York Times Pick in their fall lineup of events returning to the New York Theatre Scene after the pandemic forced a pause in production. “As we prepare for our next season, we feel that solo performance will be more relevant now than ever,” says Wendy-Lane Bailey Assistant Artistic Director, “it’s an extremely safe way to return to the stage, it’s economical to produce, and most importantly the enforced downtime that many artists have had during COVID has given them time to think about what they have to say and how they want to say it. All of this combines to create some really intriguing artistic possibilities moving forward.”
Related inquiries may be addressed to Wendy-Lane Bailey, the United Solo Assistant Artistic Director at wendylanebailey@unitedsolo.org. For more info please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
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November 22, 2021
New York City
United Solo Closes 2021 Season With Grand Awards Gala
Following a month-long run that featured several dozen one-person theatre productions from across the globe, United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, concluded its twelfth season at Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York by presenting this year’s awards at the United Solo Closing Gala. On behalf of the United Solo Academy, Dr. Omar Sangare, artistic director of the Festival, presented the United Solo Special Award to Lee Roy Reams for his performance in “Remembering Jerry Herman.” In his acceptance speech Mr. Reams said: “We all need the same things: love and affection, food and water – we have so much in common” and added “That’s why sharing our experiences is so important – especially in an intimate situation where you don’t have to appeal to multi-million dollar productions. You can just walk in, turn on the lights, sit down, talk and listen – that’s what the theatre is all about for me. I love solo performance and that’s why I’m here, and thank you for appreciating what I’m trying to do.” Mr. Reams, a Tony and Drama Desk Awards nominee, will join such illustrious past honorees of the United Solo Special Award as: Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), and Ian McKellen (2020).
The Festival’s return was noted by the New York Times as they chose United Solo as one of their Fall Picks in their annual arts preview. The season began on October 26th and offered a robust selection of performances in categories including drama, comedy, stand‑up, musical theatre, dance, and performance art. Many shows sold out and received additional performance dates by popular demand. Over half of the shows were presented for the first time on a New York City Stage, and several pieces made their world premieres at the Festival.
In addition to the Special Award, the Festival presented awards to its participants in categories such as Best One-Man and One-Woman Show, Best Direction, Best Actor and Actress, as well as the United Solo Audience Award, chosen by an online popular vote. All About Solo presented its Critics’ Choice Award to a performer selected by the staff writers of the online publication. Wendy-Lane Bailey opened the Gala with a song from her show “Five Minutes” which was directed by Omar Sangare. One of the composers of “Five Minutes,” Michele Brourman, was awarded Best Song for her composition titled “Aurora.”
The Gala was also a celebration for United Solo’s new online platform, United Solo Screen, which allows viewers from around the world to engage with United Solo productions. Among the shows available for streaming are many of the Festival’s awarded productions, as well as premieres of shows created for United Solo Screen. The Festival will continue presenting solo productions on United Solo Screen until it returns to Theatre Row next season. Artists and companies can submit their shows as virtual performances on United Solo Screen at unitedsolo.org/usoloscreen. Submissions for the 2022 United Solo Festival at Theatre Row, NYC, are now open at unitedsolo.org/nyc-2022/about.
In its twelfth season, United Solo once again supported members of the performing arts community by fundraising for The Actors Fund. “Thank you to everyone at United Solo who has supported The Actors Fund with audience appeals over these past twelve years and collectively raised over $14,000 to help those in need in our community,” said Joseph P. Benincasa, President & CEO of The Actors Fund. “The Fund is proud to be here to offer services that foster stability and resiliency and serve as a safety net over the lifespan of everyone who works in performing arts and entertainment, including the solo artists and creative teams of United Solo.”
The full list of award winners at the 2021 United Solo Festival includes:
United Solo Special Award: Lee Roy Reams in “Remembering Jerry Herman”
Best Production: “Becoming Othello: A Black Girl’s Journey” performed by Debra Ann Byrd
Best One-Woman Show: “Who Goes There” performed by Tara Hugo
Best One-Man Show: “Not My First Pandemic” performed by César Cadabes
Best International Show: “Ghislaine|Gabler” performed by Kristin Winters
Best Direction: Beth Bornstein Dunnington, “I Feel the Need” performed by Loree Draude
Best Actress: Becca Schneider in “Trich”
Best Actor: Jason Woods in “The Near-Disaster of Jasper and Casper”
Best Encore: “Chocoholic” performed by Lilly Dennis
Best Storyteller: Vince Bandille in “3 Egg Creams – A Rhapsody in the Rain”
Best Drama: “This Garden Plot” performed by Gil Cole
Best Comedy: “The Elephant in the Room” performed by Melanie Greenberg
Best Physical Theatre: “Six Solos: Legend, Myth, and Nature” performed by Lynn Needle
Best Autobiographical Show: “One Hundred Dollar Bill” performed by Muhammed Can Yasar
Best Concert: “The Pass Musical” performed by Denise Marsa
Best New York Premiere: “The Ivory Thread” performed by Michael J. Gonzales
Best Festival Debut: Amie Enriquez in “Lightweight”
Best Composer: Heather Forest, “Earthsong” performed by herself
Best Song: Michele Brourman, “Aurora” in “Five Minutes | Snapshots in Time”
Best Lighting Design: Shane Mathews designing for 7 productions at United Solo 2021
Best Emerging Artist: Erika Land in “PTSD & Me”
All About Solo Critics’ Choice Award: “Not My First Pandemic” performed by César Cadabes
The United Solo Audience Choice Award: “Trich” performed by Becca Schneider
*The winner of the 2021 All About Solo Critics’ Choice Award was chosen by the staff writers of allaboutsolo.com
**The winner of the Audience Award was chosen in an online poll at unitedsolo.org
***Winners selected by an independent panel of The United Solo Academy Members
Related inquiries may be addressed to Will Titus, Director of Operations, at willtitus@unitedsolo.org. For more info please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
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November 1, 2021
New York City
United Solo Special Event Celebrates Return to their Audience
In celebration of United Solo Theatre Festival’s return to its resident stage/home at Theatre Row in New York’s theatre district, Omar Sangare, the Festival’s founder and artistic director, joined forces with actor and singer Wendy-Lane Bailey to create “Five Minutes: Snapshots in Time”. The solo piece premieres Sunday, November 14th at 7:00 PM.
“We are coming back home to the place where we belong: the stage,” said Sangare. “One of the best ways to enter the world after the pandemic is to put a spotlight on our lives. This is the greatest gift we miraculously still have, and it is something we should be reminded of as long as we live.” From its inception, United Solo has been committed to presenting and promoting solo shows as a way to treasure individual journeys and experiences. Sangare’s extensive directorial career spanned shows such as “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “The Crucible,” and “August: Osage County” for Williams Theatre. Additionally, he is a board member of the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the author of six books, and the chair of the Department of Theatre at Williams College.
The collaboration between Bailey and Sangare grew out of their shared passion for American popular songs and singers as well as the glamor and excellence in stage performance of European chanteuses like Edith Piaf or Ewa Demarczyk. “What excited us was the dramatic possibilities of taking a variety of compelling songs and collaging them in order to tell the story of a survivor. This story reflects on what was lost and what can still be found,” said Bailey.
“Five Minutes” is being presented as part of United Solo’s 2021 Festival at Theatre Row, 410 W 42nd St. New York, NY. Sunday, November 14 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at https://unitedsolo.org/shows/five-minutes/ or by calling 212-714-2442.
Wendy-Lane Bailey has a classic pop voice and a rather cavalier attitude towards the idea of genre. Wendy-Lane’s debut solo recording, Breathing, was produced by composer, arranger, and pianist Michele Brourman. Her performances in venues across the country have earned critical praise for her versatility and sophistication, and she has appeared as a guest artist on multiple recordings, including those of pop legend Leslie Gore and Broadway’s Susan Egan. She received her training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, HB Studios, and the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. Off-stage, Wendy Lane is a creative advocate for artists. While living in Washington, D.C., she founded a regional networking organization for musicians. For five years, Wendy Lane was the Associate Director of the Cabaret Conference at Yale University. She is the recipient of a 2007 Bistro Award for outstanding achievement. In addition to her work as a performer, she teaches and consults both privately and in masterclasses for singers of all genres, and she works with various companies developing, directing, and producing. www.wendylanebailey.com
Dr. Omar Sangare is a Polish American producer, director, writer, and educator. A graduate of The National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw, he studied with the Oscar-winning director Andrzej Wajda. Awarded a scholarship to The British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England in 1994, he worked with, among others, Michael Kahn, Jeremy Irons, Derek Jacobi, and Alan Rickman. Currently, a tenured full Professor and Chairperson in the Department of Theatre at Williams College, he is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the United Solo Theatre Festival. In 2013, John Guare wrote a part for Sangare in his play “3 Kinds of Exile” produced by New York’s Atlantic Theater Company and filmed for The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. His performance was praised by Charles Isherwood in The New York Times, who described Sangare as a “smoothly handsome actor with penetrating eyes and a silky voice.” Dr. Sangare holds many film, television, and radio credits. For his one-man drama “True Theater Critic,” he was voted Best Actor by the New York International Fringe Festival in 1997. The same year, Sangare was invited to the Jerzy Grotowski Theater in Wroclaw, Poland, where he won four prizes at the oldest solo Theater Festival in the world. His award-winning monodrama was presented in Poland, Canada, England, Ukraine, Germany, and the United States. For his lead part in the Arena Players Repertory Theater production of Othello, Sangare was featured in the New York Times’ profile article by Barbara Delatiner, who introduced Sangare as “born to play Othello.” Professor Sangare was selected by the U.S. Department of State for a video project that appeared as part of President Barack Obama’s trip to Poland in May 2011. He is a proud father of his son Maximilian, and a cousin of Oumou Sangare, a Grammy Award-winning singer.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Will Titus, Director of Operations, at willtitus@unitedsolo.org. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
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October 18, 2021
New York City
United Solo Theatre Festival Announces Nominees for the 2021 Special Award
Later this month, the world’s largest solo theatre festival returns to its resident stage at Theatre Row in New York, resuming the tradition of honoring outstanding solo performances with the United Solo Special Award. Every year, this award goes to an artist who has created a captivating performance which is rich with sensitivity, audacity, and wisdom; a performance which reminds us of the immense power of a singular performer, and the possibilities of solo storytelling.
This year, the United Solo Academy has nominated five performers for the Special Award: Tovah Feldshuh in Tovah Feldshuh is Leona, Harriet Harris in Eleanor, Ruben Santiago-Hudson in Lackawanna Blues, Lee Roy Reams in Remembering Jerry Herman, and Andre De Shields in Black by Popular Demand. The winner will be announced at the closing Gala on November 21st at Theatre Row.
For over a decade, United Solo has recognized numerous artists for their outstanding solo performances. This year’s recipient of the United Solo Special Award will join such illustrious past honorees as: Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin in collaboration with Cynthia Nixon (2016), Michael Moore (2017), Renée Taylor (2018), Aasif Mandvi (2019), and Ian McKellen (2020). For its efforts in promoting the genre of solo art, United Solo was recently included in the New York Times’ fall theatre preview.
Tickets for the closing Gala, as well as for other solo shows presented this season at Theatre Row, are now on sale and may be purchased by visiting https://unitedsolo.org/shows/
Related inquiries may be addressed to Will Titus, Director of Operations, at willtitus@unitedsolo.org. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
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October 12, 2021
New York City
United Solo Theatre Festival Returns With Double Force This Year
United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, will launch its new season at Theatre Row with a full slate of productions from across the globe. Performances will start Tuesday October 26th and run through Sunday November 21st, concluding with a closing Gala in honor of the outstanding group of solo artists, directors, writers, and theatre designers.
The fall lineup represents a broad spectrum of themes and styles, including productions that undertake the subject of the COVID crisis, classical dramas, comedies, autobiographical shows, dance and music pieces, and multimedia productions. In addition to new talents, the Festival will feature accomplished artists such as: Laurence Olivier Nominee Tara Hugo in “Who Goes There”; Grammy Nominee Milbre Burch in “Sometimes I Sing”; and New York Innovative Theatre Award Nominee Michelle Felice Hartley in “Life Encounters 2,” as well as two past recipients of United Solo Festival awards, Elise Forier Edie, an author of “American Pain, and Lilly Dennis in “Chocoholic.” The Festival will also feature “Five Minutes,” a solo piece performed by Wendy Lane Bailey and directed by Omar Sangare, Founder of United Solo.
In over a decade, United Solo has presented more than one thousand solo shows in the heart of New York City’s theatre district, and was recently included in the New York Times’ fall theatre preview. “The show must go on with the audience. We’ve been waiting for this moment for too long,” said Omar Sangare, Artistic Director of United Solo. “This year we welcome our audiences returning to our theatre with an excitement that has proved to be mutual – as we added additional presentations of numerous sold-out shows in our response to popular demand.”
Theatre enthusiasts who will not be able to attend the Festival in New York may enjoy virtual offerings, which will be presented online. A new platform, United Solo Screen, will allow viewers from all around the world to engage with United Solo productions. Among the shows available for streaming are many of the Festival’s current productions, as well as shows by alums and emerging artists.
A complete listing of showtimes and dates, as well as further information, can be found on United Solo’s website http://www.unitedsolo.org – where audience members can purchase their tickets for in-person performances at Theatre Row, or subscribe to a virtual streaming of United Solo Screen.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Will Titus, Director of Operations, at willtitus@unitedsolo.org. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
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August 24, 2021
New York City
United Solo Launches Revolutionary Solo Theatre Streaming Platform
United Solo Theatre Company, creator of the largest solo theatre festival in the world, completed its launch of a new virtual platform dedicated to the genre of solo performances.
“We are thrilled seeing how this ambitious project came together,” said Omar Sangare, Founder and Artistic Director of United Solo. “It truly has been an incredible ride to get to this new virtual chapter, and I cannot wait to see where this will take the world of solo theatre.”
United Solo Screen is a new virtual theatre platform that hosts performances by award-winning artists and new talents alike. Content is available 24/7 for streaming around the world. With a subscription to the All-Access Pass for just $5.99 per month, theatre-goers can access United Solo Screen’s growing library of content from their laptops, phones, or tablets.
“United Solo Screen promises to revolutionize the world of theatre by providing a centralized platform for viewing performances from around the world,” said Will Titus, Director of Operations at United Solo. Indeed, United Solo Screen is the first-of-its kind platform to specialize in solo theatre performances.
Currently, United Solo Screen hosts nearly twenty individual solo performances, along with interviews and documentaries. New content is added to the platform frequently. The virtual nature of United Solo Screen means that the annual United Solo Theatre Festival can continue year-round, as new artists are always invited to apply to have their content featured on United Solo Screen. Artists receive a portion of the revenue generated from viewers’ purchases and rentals of their performances.
“We created United Solo Screen with our artists in mind,” explained Pat McAndrew, Associate Artistic Director at United Solo. “We wanted to offer a way for artists to easily share and promote their work to a global audience, and that is exactly what United Solo Screen provides.”
According to Omar Sangare, the demand for the content on United Solo Screen has been “extraordinary” as new subscribers join the platform daily. The reception has been just as positive from artists.
United Solo Screen continues to welcome new performances, and subsequent rounds of submissions will open on a regular basis in the coming months. Artists, producers, and companies are encouraged to check out the submission page at https://unitedsolo.org/usoloscreen/.
Visit https://screen.unitedsolo.org to experience United Solo Screen.
Related inquiries may be addressed to Will Titus, Director of Operations, at willtitus@unitedsolo.org. For more info, HQ pictures, and Facts & Figures, please visit our Press Center at https://unitedsolo.org/press-center/.
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