Tia Shearer performing in “The Happiest Place on Earth” at 1st Stage’s 3rd Annual Logan Festival of Solo Performance. Photo courtesy of the Hub Theater
The “Annual Logan Festival of Solo Performance” returns to 1st Stage with all new stories and performers. “We always look for shows that show the range of what solo work can be in style, voice and content,” said Alex Levy, 1st Stage Artistic Director. Levy curated the Festival.
This 2019 Logan Festival features three unusual tales. “All three are very different in structure and content but are remarkably beautiful and show off the unique power of solo work,” said Levy. The three are: “The Things They Carried,” “The Happiest Place on Earth,” and “Joy Rebel.”
In “Joy Rebel,” Khanisha Foster performs an autobiographical story with multiple characters each played by Foster. She shares her very distinctive personal experiences growing up in a bi-racial family. Her dad was a Black Panther. “’Joy Rebel’ is about more than surviving the chaos of my early family life,” said Foster. “It explores finding myself in the middle of the chaos and asking ‘what next’? To blend in was to disappear. How could I stand out? Finding joy was a way for me to become who I am.”
“The Things They Carried” is a dramatized experience based upon the literary classic by Vietnam vet Tim O’Brien, as dramatized by Jim Stowell. The production features a solo performance by David Sitler in more than a dozen characters. He “explores the lives of those serving in the Vietnam War. The live medium of Theatre has a unique opportunity to put us in touch with their physical presence; to give us a sense of the strong but breakable bodies our service members put on the line in our name.”
Local actor Tia Shearer performs in “The Happiest Place on Earth” written by Philip Dawkins. It is a bittersweet, thoughtful solo show. “‘Happiest Place’ entwines Philip Dawkins family's story with the story of Disneyland,” said Shearer. Portraying about 30 characters Shearer and her characters ponder “if there really is a place where the dream that we wish for can come true.” Characters include a handful of Disney characters. Matt Bassett from Northern Virginia’s Hub Theatre directs.
“The challenge, and part of the reason for doing the ‘Logan Festival’ is that many of us have preconceived notions about solo work. We wanted to give people the opportunity to experience the unique power of solo performance.”
1st Stage’s “Logan Festival” is presented with support from the Reva & David Logan Foundation.
Where and When
1st Stage presents 3rd Annual Logan Festival of Solo Performance at 1523 Spring Hill Road, Tysons. Performances July 11-21, 2019. Tickets: $20 (adults), $10 (students). For tickets and information call 703-854-1856 or visit www.1stStageTysons.org. Logan Festival of Solo Performance schedule follows:
“The Things They Carried”: July 11 at 7:30 p.m., July 14 at 5 p.m., July 18 at 7:30 p.m. July 20 at 8 p.m. and July 21 at 2 p.m.
“Joy Rebel”: July 12 at 8 p,m. July 14 at 8 p.m., July 16 at 7:30 p.m. July 19 at 8:00 p.m. July 20 at 2: p.m. and July 21 at 5 p.m.
“The Happiest Place on Earth”: July 13 at 8 p.m., July 14 at 2 p.m., July 17 at 7:30 p.m., July 20 at 5 p.m. and July 21 at 8 p.m.