[NoHo Arts District, CA] – The Whitefire Theatre will open its 41st season with SOLOFEST 2023. SOLOFEST, a celebration of the solo journey, has been recognized as the 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 2023, hosted by Bryan Rasmussen and Victoria Watson Winkler, associate produced by Rachael Stein, runs January 12 through March 19.
Whitefire Theatre Solofest 2023 February shows include:
February 2 at 8:00 pm
SECOND NATURE
Written and performed by Lian Ben Porat, directed by Kimleigh Smith, Israeli actress, Lian Ben Porat brings back her incredible solo show, “SECOND NATURE.” A journey of a girl having to grow up too fast because you know… Life…doesn’t always deal you the cards of your dreams. Ages 15+
February 3 at 8:00 pm
JENNY LIND PRESENTS PT BARNUM
Written and performed by Shelley Cooper, this world premiere one-woman opera show, fact checks The Greatest Showman, and reveals the real reason Jenny Lind (also known as the “Swedish Nightingale”) quit the tour. Eavesdrop on Jenny’s final, brave confrontation of PT Barnum and enjoy some operatic gems from Jenny Lind’s concert tour. Ages 10+ ·
February 4 at 8:00 pm
HOW TO FIND A HUSBAND IN 37 YEARS OR LONGER
Written and performed by JJ Lyons, directed by Mark Cirnigliaro is a coming of (middle age) story about JJ’s failed relationships and her father…and her father’s failed relationships…so,
it’s about Love…Umm?…is it about Love?…ok, then, Hope….oh, and it’s funny.. Ages 16+
February 5 at 2:00 pm
TWELVE O’CLOCK TALES WITH AVA GARDNER World Premiere
Written by performer Allesandra Assaf and Michael Lorre, directed by Michael A. Sheppard. On the set of the 1974 blockbuster disaster film, Earthquake, Oscar nominated screen siren Ava Gardner is focusing on her first big budget starring role in over a decade. Tucked away in her dressing room bungalow, the “queen of the scandal sheets” does battle with her past. But only a fool would bet against Ava. Ages 15+.
February 5 at 7:00 pm
#RIPJONATHANXAVIER
Written and performed by Kevin Neighbors, directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. When a young Black college student is killed by police on his university campus it is all anyone is talking about in the nation, but is anything actually being done? From the creator of The 5 time award winning solo show VERSATILE, RIPJONATHANXAVIER is an analysis of modern social justice dialogue. #RIPJONATHANXAVIER melds theatre into digital media with this dive into contemporary network news and social media practice. Ages 14+
February 8 at 8:00 pm
MY BEAUTIFUL MID-LIFE CRISIS
Written and performed by Lisa Needham, directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. An amusing story of one woman’s attempt at finding solace during a calamitous spiritual crisis brought on by a sudden and mysterious awakening that hurls her into her Dark Night of the Soul forcing her to confront the disguise she’s been hiding behind for most of her life. Ages 15+
February 9 at 8:00 pm
NURSING IS MY LIFE
Written and performed by Charley Karlotta, directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. Charley, a registered nurse, edutains through tunes and tales about what really happens in a hospital. Through advocating for her patients…will she come to terms with her life as a nurse and learn to advocate for herself? Ages 12+
February 10 at 8:00 pm
INHERIT THE SMUT: True Tales Of Lust, Angst & Vintage Porn
Written and performed by Roy Sekoff. Sekoff shares stories about navigating the minefield of male adolescence — including discovering his father’s sizable collection of X-rated movies — and examines the ridiculous nature of young lust, Oedipal anxieties, and roaring into puberty during the Golden Age of Porn. Ages 18+
Read the NoHo Arts theatre review>>
February 11 at 8:00 pm
RESILIENT AF: RISING TO THE OCCASION
Written by Kamakshi Har, directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson.
Need more resilience to navigate the landmines of this crazy world? Learn to heal trauma, maintain your wellbeing and be Resilient AF! You will no longer feel alone. Humor uplifts tragedy as a Super Heroine, a wise old oak tree and a cast of colorful characters save the day. Ages 16+
February 12 at 2:00 pm
TWELVE O’CLOCK TALES WITH AVA GARDNER
See show description for February 5 at 2:00 pm
February 12 at 7:00 pm
BREAKUP ADDICT
Written and performed by Paige Wilhide, directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson, is the story of a woman chasing the high of heartbreak, and crashing head-first into a self-love adventure after having two simultaneous crash-and-burn relationships with unavailable men. She attends 12-step meetings for love addiction, only to uncover much deeper trauma that she has to face as she rebuilds her relationship with herself. Paige brings a comedic twist to some dark and taboo topics, as she brilliantly depicts the ever-humiliating journey of a love addict. Ages 18+
February 16 at 8:00 pm
MISSIONARY POSITIONS
Written and performed by Dan Prevette, directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. As a recovering Christian missionary kid, Dan offers humorous and earnest insight on depression, trauma, faith and what the f*** is up with Evangelical America. Using comedy, multi-media, and a lot of swear words, Dan takes you for an irreverent exploration of why being saved takes “getting lost”. Ages 13+
February 17 at 8:00 pm
MY FATHER’S EYES World Premiere
Created, written and performed by Mitchell Feinsteirn, directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. This new work by Mitch Feinstein explores his father’s past in the hopes that this story can aid Mitchell, and all of us, in our journey to find peace and acceptance in who we are. Ages 18+
February 18 at 8:00 pm
THE RUB – ONE WOMAN SHOW ~ Debut Comedy Special Taping
Written and performed by Anzu Lawson, directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson, is an autobiographical telling of Anzu’s journey being Hollywood’s reluctant celebrity masseuse. Inspired by the 30 Min Comedy pilot written by Anzu. There’s nothing worse than being the BEST at a job you are dying to quit This will be the debut Comedy Special/One Woman Show Taping.
February 19 at 2:00 pm
TWELVE O’CLOCK TALES WITH AVA GARDNER
See show description for February 5 at 2:00 pm
February 19 at 7:00 pm
IS IT HISTORY OR IS IT HIS-STORY?
Written and performed by Kirsten Laurel Caplan, developed with and directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson, produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson and Heather Downling is part game show, part America’s Got Talent- this fun satirical one woman show will inspire you with historical women from America’s past- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Pundits debate, the audience gets to vote. Is history really behind us? Ages 10+
February 23 at 8:00 pm
SCHMALTZY & PRINCIE: DIARY OF A NOT-SO-GREAT DADDY’S GIRL
Written and performed by BroadwayWorld Award Nominee MaryLee Herrmann, directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. Dreams are for losers. MaryLee knows–she’s dreamt of being an actor and writer her whole life and what good has that done? Three days. One script. A cacophony of voices in her head saying she’s too old to do anything. They’re called ‘deadlines’ for a reason…somebody has to go. Ages 16+
Read the NoHo Arts theatre review>>
February 24 at 8:00 pm
ANNA World Premiere
Performed by Laura Walker, written by Nick Freedson and directed by Kelly Desarla. This world premiere is about a struggling mother who decides to start a virtual diary to document her life. Throughout the course of a one year, we follow her story of love, heartbreak, and healing. An unfolding history of a mother’s devotion to her son and herself, “Anna” seeks to ask the question, “How can we move on? Ages 18+
February 25 at 8:00 pm
NOOR INAYAT KHAN: THE FORGOTTEN SPY
Written and performed by Indian actress/writer Almanya Narula who brings her award winning performance as Noor Inayat Khan: Indian princess, British spy, & Gestapo enemy #1. This thrilling imagining of the last 30 minutes of her life, Noor’s decisions will forever change the tide of a war we thought we knew everything about. Ages 9+
February 26 at 2:00 pm
TWELVE O’CLOCK TALES WITH AVA GARDNER
See show description for February 5 at 2:00 pm
February 26 at 7:00 pm
BILLIE! BACKSTAGE WITH LADY DAY
Written and performed by Synthia L. Hardy, directed and produced by Bryan Rasmussen, returns to the Whitefire Theatre with timeless hits like “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “Embraceable You” and the devastating “Strange Fruit,” as delivered by one of the most distinctive voices in the history of music, Billie Holiday, who has had an incalculable influence on popular music and was one of the world’s greatest jazz and blues legends of all time. Ages 15+
Tickets:
General Admission Tickets for live shows are $25.00 each, unless otherwise noted.
More Info:
For information, tickets, parking tips and current Covid policy please visit whitefiretheatre.com or call 818-687-8559.
Location:
The Whitefire Theatre is located at 13500 Ventura Boulevard (at Sunnyslope Avenue), Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.
Programs subject to change.
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