The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe | |
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Directed by | John Bailey |
Written by | Jane Wagner |
Produced by | Jane Wagner |
Starring | Lily Tomlin Clay Walker |
Cinematography | John Bailey |
Edited by | Sally Menke |
Distributed by | Orion Classics |
Release date |
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Running time | 120 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (1985) is a one-woman stage show written by Jane Wagner and starring Lily Tomlin,[1] which won the Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience and was turned into a film in 1991.
The show, Tomlin's second Broadway billing as a solo performer, follows Tomlin as she performs various characters or persona, all while wearing simple black pants and a white blouse. The show appears disparate at first, but becomes unified under the sensibility of the opening "bag lady" persona as the performance progresses. The show is often praised or considered controversial for its feminist material, most notably the compressed history of the feminist movement offered in Act 2. For her stage performance, Tomlin won a Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics' Circle awards.[2]
The film was directed by John Bailey and edited by Sally Menke, and stays true to the original stage performance, earning the Golden Space Needle Award at the Seattle International Film Festival. For her efforts on the film, Tomlin received a Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture American Comedy Awards, amongst other notable accolades.
Plot[]
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Cast[]
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Revival[]
In the fall off 2021, The Shed announced plans for a revival starring Saturday Night Live cast member Cecily Strong and directed by Tony nominee Leigh Silverman.[3]
References[]
- ^ Canby, Vincent (September 27, 1991). "Lily Tomlin, Translated From Stage To Screen". The New York Times. New York City.
- ^ Gentile, John (1989). Cast of One: One-Person Shows from the Chautauqua Platform to the Broadway Stage. Illinois UP. pp. 169–172.
- ^ Bahr, Sarah (12 October 2021). "Cecily Strong to Make New York Theater Debut at the Shed". The New York Times.
External links[]
- 1991 films
- English-language films
- 1991 comedy films
- American films based on plays
- Films directed by John Bailey
- Monodrama
- Plays for one performer
- One-character films
- Films with screenplays by Jane Wagner
- Works by Jane Wagner
- American independent films
- American films
- 1990s comedy film stubs
- Independent film stubs