SOLOCOM NYC’25: COHN/BRENDEL/RODINO-COLOCINO/MANZOLINE/STEINBERG

Hadid – MICHELLE COHN

Life is hard for struggling writers. Life is harder for the sister of Bella and Gigi Hadid. Life is hardest when you’re both.

“Hadid” follows the third Hadid sister, Helena, as she grapples with an industry failing around her, the constant presence of her sisters, and feelings of jealousy (of her sisters, of other artists, of her ex-fling’s new girlfriend). The show starts with Helena getting rejected from a prestigious residency and deciding she’ll quit writing. At the same time, Bella and Gigi take a tumble down the stairs at a large charity gala and the family has to deal with the newfound internet excitement that follows their fall. Helena will try to hide her feelings of envy, very rightly, since she knows that jealousy is an emotion that it’s declassé to feel, but ultimately she’ll have to face her jealousy to move past it. That, and admit that she was the one who pushed Bella and Gigi down the stairs.

The Holy Trinity – LAUREN BRENDEL

This piece is the first third of a 45-minute solo show in development about my experiences with three different eating disorders (hence, the holy trinity). This particular section shifts between my perspective as a teenager and my current self, focusing on how I navigated life with orthorexia. It explores how I developed my disordered mindset, how I justified my behaviors around eating and exercise, and how it affected my relationships with friends, family, and ultimately myself. The piece approaches a heavy subject with a relatable warmth and a sense of humor that results in a bittersweet tone.

Little Stars – MICHELLE RODINO-COLOCINO

Ever wish there was someone who was ALWAYS there, without judgement, to support you on your path? Little Stars will introduce you to that someone! Little Stars takes you on a journey with Michelle, who explores moments in her life when she turns to beings –Earthly and Celestial– who share their wisdom, direction, and love. Little Stars explores the question, “can anyone be as constant as the stars?” Answering this question also poses another, “is constancy a form of love?” To answer these questions Little Stars features characters that Michelle plays with the full range of vulnerability, goofiness, and absurdity that is the human experience.

Acronympho – SHELLI MANZOLINE

I am an improvisor at heart. I started writing my first stand up piece based on a need to combat my despair and anger surrounding the current political climate. I began writing several days ago as a workshop for a show we were producing at Young Ethels. I would love to take time to expand on the theme of Acronyms in the 2025 “Regime”. Think DEI, DIY, DUI.

How to Tell if You Have a Soul – TARA STEINBERG

Is there such a thing as too much spirituality? Tara’s dad is a Jew who once ran away to join a metaphysical Christian cult. Her mom was raised Christian but mostly abandoned it for indigenous American spirituality. She also believed strongly that thoughts create reality. Between the two of them, there were also crystals, pendulums, astrology readings, psychics, animal communicators, energy healers, dream interpreters, Buddhists, palm readers, laughter yoga, and more—all during the ’80s and ’90s in the heart of Bible-belt America.
How do you think their kids turned out? Come and find out.

SOLOCOM NYC has launched over 400 new solo comedies that have gone on to longer runs, tours and festivals around the world (including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.)

SOLOCOM NYC is a festival of new solo work. All shows presented are 75% 100% new material, and are created specifically for the festival. SOLOCOMs goal is to push artists to create a show that is meaningful, personal and to follow the fear.