[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Here are the SOLOFEST 2025 May shows at The Whitefire Theatre.
A celebration of the solo journey, SOLOFEST 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 as a stream-on-demand option. SOLOFEST 2025, produced by Susan Simons and The Whitefire Theatre is hosted by Bryan Rasmussen and Victoria Watson Winkler.
Solofest 2025 May shows run May 1 through May 25.
Thursday, May 1 at 8:00pm
WHAT EVER THIS IS...
Whatever This Is…is written and performed by Laura Baggett. Looking back, it all seemed to be in alignment, so meant to be this move out to LA. Yet the pressures of leaving New York, disappointing family, and rollerblading everywhere has led Laura to a rock bottom. On one busy brunch shift at La Pain Quotiden, her life changes forever And she has to learn how to pick up the pieces. laurabutterfl2.wixsite.com/laurabaggett. 16+.
Friday, May 2 at 8:00pm
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+.
Saturday, May 3 at 8:00pm
HOLY SHITAKE: A Wok Star is Born ~ BEST OF FEST WINNER 2024!
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+.
Saturday, May 10 at 8:00pm
BARRYMORE ~ BEST OF FEST WINNER 2025!
Barrymore, a play by William Luce, performed by Vito D’Ambrosio, directed by Bryan Rasmussen, depicts actor John Barrymore a few months before his death in 1942 as he is rehearsing a revival of his 1920 Broadway triumph as Richard III. Barrymore’s Richard III revival never took place, but was a device invented to serve as a dramatic framework for the actor to reminisce about various episodes in his life and about his career downslide due to alcoholism. Though classified as a one-person play, Barrymore makes frequent use of a second character, Frank the stage manager, who interacts with Barrymore over the theatre loudspeaker. Ages 15+.
Read the NoHo Arts theatre review>>
Friday, May 16 at 8:00pm
JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL: A SOLO FLIGHT ~ BEST OF FEST WINNER 2025!
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+.
Sunday, May 18 at 5:00pm
A MILE IN MY SHOES
A mix of poetry, drama, comedy and consciousness-raising theater. Creator Kathryn Taylor Smith portrays 19 characters inspired by interviews with past and present members of the homeless community and those who advocate for them. This socially conscious and relevant piece will compel you to do more and act kinder to your homeless brethren. Directed by Zadia Ife. Ages 16+. Donations needed for My Friends House: Please bring new or gently used shoes (adult & children) and/or toiletry items (soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, razor, shaving cream, sanitary napkins, toothbrush and mouthwash) www.myfriendshousela.org. Ages 16+.
Sunday, May 25 at 7:00pm
A Life Behind Bars ~ BEST OF FEST WINNER 2025!
Dan Ruth’s award-winning, critically acclaimed A Life Behind Bars returns to the Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest. An original roller coaster solo comedy bar crawl, A Life Behind Bars focuses on the soul-sucking restaurant and service industries. Through gritty storytelling, Dan Ruth shares dark comic monologues, interwoven with characters he’s encountered while working and drinking in the seedy bars and dives of pre-Giuliani NYC. The original solo black comedy has been performed in New York City, Los Angeles, Idyllwild, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin Dells and Richmond, VA. The show is written and performed by Dan Ruth and directed by multi-award-winning performer-producer-director, Tanya Moberly. ***Strong language, sexual situations, drug and alcohol use, rock & roll and redemption. 18+.
Tickets for SOLOFEST 2025 May Shows :
General Admission Tickets for live shows are $25.00 each, unless otherwise noted. Buy tickets at https://whitefire.stagey.net/schedule
For information about SOLOFEST 2025, to buy tickets, or for parking tips please visit whitefiretheatre.com or call 818-687-8559.
When:
Solofest 2025 May shows run May 1 through May 25.
Where:
The Whitefire Theatre
13500 Ventura Boulevard (at Sunnyslope Avenue), Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.
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To see what shows are playing, check out our theatre guide>>