3.19March

STEVE SOLOMON’S GUIDE
TO PUTTING ON A ONE-MAN SHOW
Steve Solomon has a trusted secret to keeping his voice during
repeat performances of a one-man show.
“Lots of throat lozenges, and lots of water,” he says.
The actor/comedian has built his career around writing and
performing one-man shows, beginning with the three-time award
winning “My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish, and I’m in
Therapy,” which he’s followed with two sequels.
There’s much more to a comedic one-man show than simply telling
jokes on stage, he says. “Some critics say it’s just stand-up. No, it’s
a theatrical piece,” he says. “There’s a process, there’s a set, there
are characters.”
STRETCHING AN IDEA INTO A SHOW
Creating a one-man show must start with an interesting topic —
something Solomon has no shortage of.
With each of his shows based on his unpredictable family, he plays
up to 30 characters on stage, including his doting Italian mother
and elderly Jewish father.
His family provides endless material, he explains. “Growing up in
an Italian/Jewish environment was hysterical,” he says. “I’m also
blessed with my memory. I can repeat dialogue from years ago.”
Taking stories and transforming them into a full show takes work,
however.
Solomon starts developing a show by penning several pages of
memories and jokes, then works with his long-time director Andy
Rogow to find a common thread and craft a script.
“I come up with the content, and (Andy) creates storylines,”
Solomon says. “He’s quit 100 times and I’ve fired him 10,000
times, and we love each other.”
NEVER FINISHED
A one-man show must be constantly refined to remain fresh,
Solomon says. He changes something for every performance, and
constantly drafts new material.
“Every single night I’m up there, I’m tweaking. I’m adjusting what
I say, adjusting the emphasis of what I’m trying to put out there.
Every word is critical.”
“Steve Solomon’s From Brooklyn to Broadway in Only 50 Years!”
runs from April 5th – 7th at The Smith Center. For tickets and more
information, visit TheSmithCenter.com.
From the three-time award winning star
and creator of “My Mother’s Italian,
My Father’s Jewish & I’m In Therapy”
STEVE SOLOMON’S
FROM BROOKLYN
TO BROADWAY
IN ONLY 50 YEARS!
APRIL 5 - 7
Troesh Studio Theater
groups get perks
Call 702.749.2348 or email groups@thesmithcenter.com
VISIT THESMITHCENTER.COM TO SEE THE FULL LINEUP
702.749.2000 | TTY: 800.326.6868 or dial 711 | 361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89106
46
March 2019
THIS IS AN ADVERTORIAL PAID FOR BY THE SMITH CENTER