Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The United Solo Closing Gala concluded the world’s largest solo theatre festival’s seventh season on November 20, 2016 at Theatre Row in New York City. During its ten-week run, the festival presented productions from twenty countries and six continents. The best shows in each category were recognized with awards at the Gala, and the winner of the United Solo Special Award was announced as well.
“One-person shows are often relatively small and intimate. However, looking at all the artists gathered here tonight at the Gala, I have the joyful impression of seeing the largest theatre cast in the city,” said Omar Sangare, founder and artistic director of United Solo. “This year we featured 120 solo artists, and in our seven-year history, we have presented almost 800 shows from all over the globe. This is how we build the community of solo artists and fulfill the mission of the world’s largest solo theatre festival.”
Each year, United Solo supports members of the performing arts community by fundraising for The Actors Fund. Joseph Benincasa, President and CEO of The Actors Fund, said, “On behalf of the 14,000 people we help every year, we send our thanks yet again to United Solo and the artists and audiences who gave so generously. Your donations are more important than ever and will go to help everyone in our creative community in times of need, crisis or transition.”
The award for Best Tragedy went to “Myra’s Story” performed by Jennifer Cornish directed by Darlene Spencer. Myra's Story is a Canadian production of the hit Irish play, Myra, a homeless "wine connoisseur," shares her hilarious and powerful story with street-smart style, wry wit and brutal honesty.
Audiences will both laugh and cry with Myra — often at the same time — as she recounts her adventures, becoming the characters who have shaped her life, from her irascible father and idealistic husband, to her neighbours: Tina the Tap, Big Bridie and Jimmy the Tadpole.
Myra’s story will strike a chord with almost everyone in one way or another. Myra begins her narrative as she recovers from a raucous celebration of her 48th birthday, reflecting on her attempt to escape what her father calls “the beast” by marrying at 16 and beginning a new life with her beloved Tommy McLaughlin.
Hilarious and heartbreaking, Myra’s Story portrays a day in the life of a destitute Dublin drinker as she begs for money from passers-by. Jumping from character to colourful character, Myra Hennessey explains how she came to arrive at her present state with street-smart style, wry wit and brutal honesty.
Artists who would like to participate in the United Solo Theatre Festival next year can already submit their applications. Detailed information is available at www.unitedsolo.org/submit
Photo: Jennifer Cornish as Myra.
2016-11-21
New York: Waterloo production of "Myra's Story" wins at the 2016 United Solo Awards