[NoHo Arts District, CA] – The Whitefire Theatre opens its 43rd season with SOLOFEST 2025 running January 16 – May 5, 2025. Don’t forget to check back regularly as we post a lineup of Solofest’s monthly shows!
A celebration of the solo journey, SOLOFEST has been recognized as the second-largest solo festival on the West Coast. This year’s festival program offers premieres and audience favorites live on stage, with some shows available with a stream-on-demand option.
SOLOFEST 2025, presented by Susan Simons and the Whitefire Theatre, is hosted by Bryan Rasmussen and Victoria Watson Winkler, and runs January 16 through April 26, 2025.
January shows include:
Thursday, January 16 at 8:00 pm
HOLY SHITAKE: A Wok Star is Born
Filled with pathos and humor, “Holy Shitake: A Wok Star is Born” written and performed by Katie Chin, directed by Fran de Leon, produced by Paul Hemstreet, chronicles Chef Katie Chin’s journey as a Chinese American girl growing up in Minneapolis in the 1970s where she was raised by her remarkable mother, seamstress turned restauranteur, Leeann Chin. Ages 16+. 1 hr.
Friday, January 17 at 8:00 PM
GASLIGHTING IS MY LOVE LANGUAGE
Fresh off a successful Edinburgh run, Gaslighting is My Love Language, written and performed by Fielding Edlow, is a comedic solo show about how she was gaslit for 13 1/2 years by her character actor husband (now wasband). “Their marriage was like the Exxon Valdez supertanker leaking gallons of oil in your home.” – UK TIMES. Ages 18+. 1 hr.
Saturday, January 18 at 8:00 PM
JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL: A SOLO FLIGHT
Richard Bach’s bestselling 1970 novella “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” is brought vividly to life in Jonathan Livingston Seagull: A Solo Flight by adapter, performer, producer Andrew Thacher, and directed by Paul Millet. No ordinary bird, join Jonathan on his journey through the here and now, and all of eternity, as he soars to the heights of perfection, freedom, and love. Ages 12+. 1hr.
Sunday, January 19 at 7:00 PM
NEW LIFERS
In this world premiere show written and performed by Alice Manning, directed by John Lathan, three women in prison for life for murder are befriended by a prison volunteer. Through their dialogue we discover the tangled web of abuse, addiction, and love that lies at the heart of their stories. A volunteer prison counselor prisons for 18 years, Alice Manning utilizes interviews with incarcerated women, offering the audience a rare glimpse into the minds, hearts and souls of these women. Ages 15+. 1hr.
Thursday, January 23 at 8:00 PM
TANGERINE VAGINA
Tangerine Vagina, a world premiere solo show performed by Nina Dicker written by comic Nina Dicker, and directed by Liam Tully, finds the sex positive in all of sex’s negatives. Tangerine Vagina is every woman’s coming-of-age story: clumsy sexscapades, daddy issues, and a choice between life or death. Trigger Warning: SA, self-harm, and really good jokes. Ages 16+. 1hr.
Friday, January 24 at 8:00 PM
SHAME-FULL
Through a hybrid of intimate storytelling and hilarious characters, writer, producer, and performer Nina Concepcion, directed by Haley Hepworth, the most ashamed woman on earth explores the areas of shame that she has experienced as a woman who is forever trying to escape her own reality. Shame-Full is an eccentric solo show from a neurotic and vulnerable Latina that asks the question: are we born with shame, or are we taught to feel it? Ages 18+. 1hr.
Saturday, January 25 at 8:00 PM
A TALE OF TWO TITTIES: A COMEDY SHOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER
Written and performed by comedian Julia Johns, is a stand-up/storytelling show about one woman’s journey with breast cancer, that is heartfelt, informative, and somehow silly and fun. A Tale of Two Titties stands out for its relatable content and Julia’s engaging performance, making it a compelling and enjoyable experience that leaves audiences uplifted and inspired. Ages 18+. 1hr.
Sunday, January 26 at 7:00 PM
THE CASE AGAINST HAPPINESS
Written and performed by Howard Smith. Attorney Howard Smith practices in the Courtroom of Life and argues to a jury of his peers – the audience – proving through his birth, childhood, parents, relationships or lack thereof, being Jewish, the soup of the day, college, law school, retirement in Fla., marriage, divorce, law enforcement and the importance of early cancer screening – that happiness is overrated. Ages 18+
Thursday, January 30 at 8:00 PM
ASTROLOGICALLY SCREWED
***Two Time WINNER*** “BEST OF FEST” written and performed by award-winning actress Pam Levin, directed by Chera Marks is a solo show about predictions, guardian angels and self-fulfilling prophecies. ASTROLOGICALLY SCREWED is a comedy rich in pathos chock full of love, strength, fear, magic, angels, spirits, while it embraces life and living boldly! Ages 13+. 1hr.
Friday, January 31 at 8:00 PM
BIG HAIR: A RAD & WILD LOVE AFFAIR
Written and performed by Maegan Mandarino, is a musical dramedy about the short-lived love affair of two comedic legends, Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner, presented by their alter egos, Dr. Frankenstein and Roseanne Roseannadanna, a relationship that, years later, still resonates with the modern heart. Audiences enjoy film and interview clips presented intermittently to showcase the dynamic relationship. It’s absurdist, fun theater with a story that leaves you thinking of what could have been. Ages 13+. 1hr.
Programs subject to change.
Tickets:
General Admission Tickets for live shows are $25.00 each, unless otherwise noted. Buy tickets at whitefiretheatre.com
For information about SOLOFEST 2025, including January, February, March and April shows, to buy tickets, or for parking tips please visit whitefiretheatre.com or call 818-687-8559.
Where:
The Whitefire Theatre
13500 Ventura Boulevard (at Sunnyslope Avenue), Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.
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