The second play in Bridge Street Theatre’s “Solofest” is the world premiere of “Help! I’m Trapped In A One-Woman Show” featuring Broadway actress Kate Skinner. As the audience enters one of the songs we hear is Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman,” an obvious teaser as to what is coming. This play touches your funny bone, your soul, and your sensitivities. It is hilarious, insightful, heart-wrenching emotional roller coaster ride.
Skinner’s husband, actor and novelist Ron McLarty, died after seventeen years of marriage. The loss was so profound that she felt aimless and, especially, alone, though Ron’s presence remained constant. Five years after floundering, at the age of seventy, she decided to seek , “closure” so that she could move on with her life. She finds herself researching online dating websites. The men she meets range from a plumber to a retired emergency room physician amongst others. She relates, in some detail, her experiences, especially men’s various kissing techniques which is quite humorous.
As she rambles through this list she occasionally intersperses memories of her life with Ron starting with their first meeting at an audition, the first date and the marriage. She also restructures her life as he ages, suffers dementia, and then finally passes out of her world. The ensuing emptiness of each day forces her to ask herself, “What is it that I want?”
Her monologue touches upon her career and refers to literary figures, i.e. Icarus, and celebrities (Salvador Dali, Glenn Close and others) to reinforce some of her observations about her life and what she is learning about herself. She smoothly transitions from broad or pointed humor to philosophy amidst painful revelations.
Carmen Borgia’s light design complements the emotional progression of the play.
Written in conjunction with accomplished playwright Mark Hampton and directed by Michael Edwards, Ms. Skinner is an engaging performer who exudes a warmth tempered by precise comic and dramatic timing. It is a pleasure to watch and listen to her as her insights touch our emotions. Aging audience members were undoubtedly moved, possibly to tears, by her story and the unfolding of her life. The lyrics to Carley Simon’s “Coming Around Again,” pre- show music expresses all of our hopes that after great loss, there is still the possibility of more to come.
Help! I’m Trapped in A One-Woman Show by Mark Hampton and Kate Skinner; Diector: Michael Edwards; Lights and Sound Designer: Carmen Borgia; Production Stage Manager: Hannarose Manning; Running time: 60 minutes; 3/14-16, 2025
Next Solofest:
March 21 – 23, 2025
FRIDAY & SATURDAY @ 7:30, SUNDAY @ 2:00
For tickets: bridgestreettheatre.org
O TIME – written and performed by David Zellnik and directed by Danilo Gambini. This new solo show, which Mr. Zellnik himself wrote and performs, is based on an actual experience from his own life. When his musical YANK! was produced down in Rio de Janeiro, David found himself part of a passionate community of theatre makers—including a vibrant young producer named George. Two years later, George was dead. David returns to Brazil but the more he digs into George’s personal life, the more he’s forced to wrestle with his own feelings and fears and the true source of his desire to understand George’s life and death. Structured as an investigation, O Time explores the space between countries and cultures, language and translation, past and presen