The Whitefire Theatre will open its 40th season with SOLOFEST 2022 January 14-March 20.
Whitefire Theatre’s SOLOFEST 2022, a celebration of the solo journey, has been recognized as the largest solo theatre 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 2022, hosted by Bryan Rasmussen and Victoria Watson Winkler.
February Shows
Feb 2 at 8:00 pm
“KLASSIEK MIJAN” (Live Stage Performance)
The first show of Black History Month at the Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest! Hear the beautiful voice of MIJAN OWENS accompanied by the masterful sounds of pianist Paul Anthony Romero and saxophonist, Brock Summers as they perform the classic music of Rachmarinoff, Albanoni, Roberta Flack, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston and Lena Horne.
Feb 3 at 8:00 pm
“JUSTICE? OR…JUST ME?: THE BITE” (Live Stage Performance)
“Justice? Or… Just Me?” is based on the book series of the same title authored by Lorinda Hawkins Smith, published this past summer. The Bite is the first in the trilogy directed by Patricia Bean-Kane, performed by Lorinda Hawkins Smith, that examines what justice looks like from the perspective of a Black woman in a domestic violence marriage to a White man.
Feb 4 at 8:00 pm
“REDEEMher How I Screwed up my perfect Mormon Life” (Live Stage Performance)
Written and performed by Tatum Langton and directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. This one-woman show explores the question: Is the sin with a Capital “A” redeemable? Experience the heartfelt journey as one woman battles between saving her marriage and soul. The NoHo Arts Interview>>
Feb 5 at 8:00 pm
“I HEART MAROC” (Live Stage Performance)
Written and Performed by Azo Safo, developed with & directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. A lively solo show featuring a mix of wacky characters, multi-media and edutainment, will take you on a journey into the lives of rural Moroccans as experienced by Azo, a wide-eyed a 24-year-old Peace Corps volunteer.
Feb 8 at 8:00 pm
“KLASSIEK MIJAN” (Vimeo on Demand Performance)
The first show of Black History Month at the Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest! Hear the beautiful voice of MIJAN OWENS accompanied by the masterful sounds of pianist Paul Anthony Romero and saxophonist, Brock Summers as they perform the classic music of Rachmarinoff, Albanoni, Roberta Flack, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston and Lena Horne.
Feb 9 at 8:00 pm
“POISON GUN” (Live on Stage)
Written and performed by Dee Freeman, directed by Juliette Jeffers. At age 10, Loe was her granddaddy’s accountant. She helped him secretly bury money he made from selling moonshine all over his 100 acre farm. When he gets murdered, the cop sent out to investigate finds out about the buried money and that Loe knows where the money’s located.
“JUSTICE? OR… JUST ME?: THE BITE” (Virtual Performance)
“Justice? Or… Just Me?” is based on the book series of the same title authored by Lorinda Hawkins Smith, published this past summer. The Bite is the first in the trilogy directed by Patricia Bean-Kane, performed by Lorinda Hawkins Smith, that examines what justice looks like from the perspective of a Black woman in a domestic violence marriage to a White man.
Feb 10 at 8:00 pm
“HUMMINGBIRD -HOW A MOTHER’S LOVE GAVE HER CHILD WINGS TO FLY” (Live Stage Performance)
World Premiere solo show written by Misha Gonz-Cirkl, directed by Juliette Jeffers. Hummingbird is a coming-of-age story about finding the strength to soar and finding your life’s song and purpose, when love, loss, codependency, self-doubt, depression and the fear of being alone hug on you so tight that you can barely breathe let alone sing the song you were always meant to sing.
“REDEEMher How I Screwed up my perfect Mormon Life” (Virtual Performance)
Written and performed by Tatum Langton and directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. This one-woman show explores the question: Is the sin with a Capital “A” redeemable? Experience the heartfelt journey as one woman battles between saving her marriage and soul.
Feb 11 at 8:00 pm
“THE SELF-PORTRAIT PROJECT“(Live on Stage)
In an attempt to create the ultimate self-portrait, performer Joseph Bricker tackles existence as performance. This iconoclastic piece asks what identity means in a world where we are constantly both viewers and objects. It’s a total mess.
#pleaselikeme #pleasecome
Feb 11 at 8:00 pm
“I HEART MAROC” (Virtual Performance)
Written and Performed by Azo Safo, developed with & directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. A lively solo show featuring a mix of wacky characters, multi-media and edutainment, will take you on a journey into the lives of rural Moroccans as experienced by Azo, a wide-eyed a 24-year-old Peace Corps volunteer.
Feb 12 at 8:00 pm
“LET IT GO: QUEENS GOTTA $H!T, TOO!” (Live on Stage)
From the Producers of the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival: “LET IT GO: QUEENS GOTTA $#!+, TOO!” is a jaw-dropping adaptation of a besting selling poetic memoir written by Toni X. who brilliantly weaves her life story into an amusing and contagiously rhythmic poetic presentation.
Feb 15 at 6:00 pm
“POISON GUN” (Virtual Performance)
Loe at age 10 was her granddaddy’s accountant. She helped him secretly bury money he made from selling moonshine all over his 100 acre farm. But when he gets murdered, the cop sent out to investigate finds out about the buried money. He also finds out Loe knows where the money’s located.
Feb 16 at 8:00 pm
“SILENT WITNESSES” (Live Stage Show)
Writer/performer Stephanie Satie gives voice to four extraordinary women in her award-winning solo play. “SILENT WITNESSES” paints an uplifting portrait of human resilience shaped through the eyes of children and infused with the wisdom of the adults they’ve become.
“HUMMINGBIRD -HOW A MOTHER’S LOVE GAVE HER CHILD WINGS TO FLY” (Virtual Performance)
World Premiere solo show written by Misha Gonz-Cirkl, directed by Juliette Jeffers. Hummingbird is a coming-of-age story about finding the strength to soar and finding your life’s song and purpose, when love, loss, codependency, self-doubt, depression and the fear of being alone hug on you so tight that you can barely breathe let alone sing the song you were always meant to sing.
Feb 17 at 8:00 pm
“POSTPARDON ME” (Live Stage Show)
“PostPardon Me,” written and performed by Liesel Hlista, directed and developed with Jessica Lynn Johnson. This serio-comedy follows a new mom and her deep roller coaster ride from her surprising postpartum journey deep into the trenches of toddlerhood. Read the NoHo Arts Review>>
“THE SELF-PORTRAIT PROJECT” (Virtual Performance)
In an attempt to create the ultimate self-portrait, performer Joseph Bricker tackles existence as performance. This iconoclastic piece asks what identity means in a world where we are constantly both viewers and objects. It’s a total mess.
#pleaselikeme #pleasecome
Feb 18 at 8:00 pm
“VIXEN DEVILLE REVEALED” (Live Stage Show)
Multiple award-winning show combining burlesque, circus, magic, and comedy… plus a few home truths. British actress, Cat LaCohie reveals the truth behind Burlesque persona, ‘Vixen DeVille”, inviting you to discover and celebrate YOUR own inner Vixen. Guaranteed to leave you entertained and inspired.
Feb 19 at 8:00 pm
“OUTTA THE DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT” (Live Stage Show)
Written and directed by Tony Montes, “Outta the Darkness Into The Light,” is a semi-autobiographical work consisting of reflections on some of Tony’s life-altering decisions. The play begins with Tony being in a life-changing moment, then intriguingly continues with a conversation about his life with an ominous, unseen voice. Read the NoHo Arts Review>>
Feb 20 at 7:00 pm
“HIJA DE TU MADRE” (Live Stage Show)
Written and performed by Leticia Castillo, written and directed by Juliette Jeffers, “Hija de tu Madre” is an immigrant story of two generations of Dominican women who overcome adversity and each other in the pursuit of acceptance.
Feb 22 at 8:00 pm
“SILENT WITNESSES” (Virtual Performance)
Written and performed by Stephanie Satie, directed by Anita Khanzadian
Writer/performer Stephanie Satie gives voice to four extraordinary women in her award-winning solo play. “SILENT WITNESSES” paints an uplifting portrait of human resilience shaped through the eyes of children and infused with the wisdom of the adults they’ve become.
Feb 23 at 8:00 pm
“NURSE” (Live Stage Show)
Written and performed by Charley Karlotta, directed by Jessican Lynn Johnson.
In this solo piece, a mature registered nurse, Charley, tells her story of her nursing career and her struggles as she edutains with tunes and tales about what really goes on in a hospital – – the mind-body connection and the patients she has taken care of over the years.
“POSTPARDON ME” (Virtual Performance)
“PostPardon Me,” written and performed by Liesel Hlista, directed and developed with Jessica Lynn Johnson. This serio-comedy follows a new mom and her deep roller coaster ride from her surprising postpartum journey deep into the trenches of toddlerhood.
Feb 24 at 8:00 pm
“I NEVER MET A JERK I DIDN’T LIKE” (Live Stage Show)
Written and performed by Tiffany Phillips, directed and produced by Kimleigh Smith. This critically acclaimed show is an unabashed everywoman’s referendum on dating in the 21st Century. Tour de force Tiffany Phillips invites the audience on her personal roller coaster ride through the minefield of modern dating and love.
“VIXEN DEVILLE REVEALED” (Virtual Performance)
Multiple award-winning show combining burlesque, circus, magic, and comedy… plus a few home truths. British actress, Cat LaCohie reveals the truth behind Burlesque persona, ‘Vixen DeVille,” inviting you to discover and celebrate YOUR own inner Vixen. Guaranteed to leave you entertained and inspired.
Feb 25 at 8:00 pm
“QUEER: Drag and Drugs and a Tick Tock Clock” (Live Stage Show)
Written and performed by Jair Bula, directed by Juliette Jeffers
OFFICIAL WINNER OF THE HOLLYWOOD ENCORE PRODUCERS’ AWARD **** In Bula’s journey of coming to terms with his Queer identity in the barrios of a Catholic South American Columbia, he finds himself desperately looking for self-love, through the art of Drag and cocaine in the streets of Miami, while the song of a tick tock clock leads him to self-acceptance.
“OUTTA THE DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT” (Virtual Performance)
Written and directed by Tony Montes, “Outta the Darkness Into The Light,” is a semi-autobiographical work consisting of reflections on some of Tony’s life-altering decisions. The play begins with Tony being in a life-changing moment, then intriguingly continues with a conversation about his life with an ominous, unseen voice.
Feb 26 at 8:00 pm
“DATING IN L.A. WITH NO NIPPLES” (Live Stage Show)
Written and performed by Lisa Kate David, directed by Bryan Rasmussen. In just one year’s time, Lisa finds out her husband has been leading a dark double life, she becomes a single mom to her one year old daughter, and she is diagnosed with breast cancer. She secretly helps the police gather evidence on her husband while undergoing cancer treatment. This is Lisa’s journey of how she got back on her feet, which was surprisingly an amazing experience.
“HIJA DE TU MADRE” (Virtual Performance)
Written and performed by Leticia Castillo, written and directed by Juliette Jeffers, “Hija de tu Madre” is an immigrant story of two generations of Dominican women who overcome adversity and each other in the pursuit of acceptance.
When:
January 14-March 20
Tickets:
Tickets for the live shows are $25.00 and $19.99 for the virtual shows.
For information, tickets and current Covid policy please visit www.whitefiretheatre.com or call 818-687-8559.
Where:
The Whitefire Theatre
13500 Ventura Blvd. (at Sunnyslope Avenue)
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Would you like to develop your own solo show? Are you a beginner or in the process of drafting or editing your one-person show? Visit our Soaring Solo section by Jessica Lynn Johnson for tips, trends and workshops.