PUSSY

Written and performed by Maura Halloran

PUSSY is a one-woman show about a lesbian couple whose love is on the rocks, their landlady, and their cat.  

The Pussy Tale

Leslie and Jo are teetering on the brink of break-up.  Jo is lolling about in Spain, Leslie is crying about it in Vancouver, their vaguely homophobic but strongly "curious" landlady Ana is listening with crossed arms from the apartment below.  But no one has stronger opinions on the matter than Leslie’s pet cat, “Pussy.” 

Very loosely based on true events, this piece is a tribute to the tribulations of trying to find your groove when you don't like the music.  It's a tale of love and narcissism, of homophobia and unicorns, of how to forgive The Church, and how softball can save your life. 

Production History

PUSSY exists in two formats: an 18 minute "Teaser Edition" and the 55 minute full-length show. 

Pussy: Teaser Edition premiered at Theatre at UBC's Tour-de-Force Festival and has since played All Terrain Theater's Women in Solodarity: Cat Ladies festival in Berkeley and San Francisco's Stage Werx Solo Sundays, and Salon San Carlos IV.

Full-length PUSSY premiered in May 2012 at the invitation of San Francisco's DIVAfest.  In 2013, PUSSY turned tail on The New York International Fringe Festival, left her scent all over The Seattle Fringe, and returned to prowl Manhattan at New York's United Solo Theatre Festival with a sold out show, an invited encore, and the immense honour of being awarded "Best Actress" out of 121 solo shows from 23 countries and selected for the “Best of United Solo” compilation.

From there, PUSSY enjoyed her London debut at the invitation of the inaugural So and So ON Festival.  She then scampered back to San Francisco for a wildly successful run at New Conservatory Theatre Center, a performance lauded among KQED Arts "Best Theater of 2014" and nominated for Outstanding Production of a Solo Play at the Theatre Bay Area Awards. 

Pussy Press

 "...the tightest and most impressively performed of the lot...  Each character is drawn with a dry, caustic but empathetic wit. The comedy is crisp. The acting is delightfully precise. If you're allergic to "Cats," and even to the animal, Halloran's "Pussy" may be just the remedy you need. " 
- Rob Hurwitt, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

"astonishingly talented actress ... characters who are profoundly truthful, deeply affecting and perfect guides into a story that is much stronger and richer than anyone would suspect from the outset… " 
- Jerry Kraft, SEATTLEACTOR.COM

"Halloran has a knack for dialect and physicality, skills that make her a naturally arresting solo artist… Halloran’s real triumph, though, lies in the sudden yet subtle moments of humanity she bestows upon each character… A speech in which she resolves to be the best unicorn she can be... is the poignant high point of this impeccably nuanced solo performance." 
- Jack Smart, JACKSMARTREVIEWS.COM (New York)

"She gracefully takes command of the stage as she assumes varying personae. Her characterizations are almost frenetically energized while being well motivated... The words she speaks relate a poignant story, but her physical presence on the stage and limber body tell it better." 
- Albert Goodwyn, SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER

"...laugh-out-loud romantic farce Pussy, by Maura Halloran, details the tricky intricacies of a lesbian-feline-nosy neighbor ménage à "cat-re". Yes, it's about a cat ... hmmm, or is it? You should really take the opportunity to find out." 
- Nicole Gluckstern, SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN

"Maura Halloran’s Pussy is a marvelously sweet, funny, exasperating and ultimately satisfying portrait of a lesbian couple whose relationship is on the rocks… Halloran slips between the roles with captivating smoothness, especially impressive in the role of the titular feline."
- Sam Hurwitt, KQED ARTS "BEST THEATRE OF 2014" (San Francisco)

"clever, quirky, and full of wit and insights into human nature... Halloran shifts smoothly and convincingly between all four characters, and is especially delightful to watch jumping onto furniture and calmly licking herself"
- Eric Jansen, KALW's "OUT IN THE BAY" (San Francisco)

"Although I'm allergic to cats and have absolutely no appetite for cunnilingus, I fell head over heels in love with Pussy. Maura Halloran's insightful and often hilarious monologue... a mischievous performance filled with feline feistiness, a dictionary listing of the various types of dykes, direct challenges to Jesus, and some bitchy moments of betrayal... Cat lovers will love Pussy. Lesbians will love Pussy…  Halloran's writing is exceptional."
- George Heymont, MY CULTURAL LANDSCAPE (San Francisco)

"Halloran shows great skill as a performer, particularly in her ability to convincingly portray four very different characters... capable of depicting moments of emotional drama as well as giving a strong comedic performance."
- Adrienne Urbanski, THEATREISEASY.COM (New York)

"Halloran embodies all the characters, most deliciously the cat. Patricia Reynoso, dialect coach, helped delineate the 3 very distinct vocal patterns, but the lion's share of praise must go to Ms. Halloran for this enchanting show."
- Mark Savitt, HI! DRAMA (New York)

"Halloran is an engaging performer, her characters are precisely differentiated and the performance is both polished and professional... Pussy makes for a refreshing and enjoyable hour of theatrical fun."
- Julie Congress, NYTHEATRE.COM 

• Radio interview on PUSSY at New Conservatory Theatre Center on NPR affiliate KALW's "Out in the Bay"

• Article featuring PUSSY as a Critic's Pick by Robert Hurwitt in SF Chronicle

• Article featuring PUSSY as an Editor's Pick by Sam Hurwitt on Theatre Bay Area 

• Article featuring PUSSY as a "Quick Pick" of Qurrat Ann Kadwani on The Aerogram

• Podcast interview on PUSSY at United Solo with Shay on Shay Star Radio

• Podcast interview on PUSSY at United Solo with Dennis Holden on Dennis Has A Podcast

• Preview article on PUSSY at United Solo on Broadway World 

• Preview article on PUSSY at Seattle Fringe by Jose Amador in The Seattle Star

• Preview article on PUSSY at FringeNYC by Dan Balcazo on the GLAAD blog

• Radio interview on PUSSY at DIVAfest with Eric Jansen on NPR affiliate KALW’s "Out in the Bay"

• Article on PUSSY at DIVAfest by Ginger Murray in the Exhibitionist column in SF Weekly

Dedication

PUSSY is dedicated to my friend Mark and his husband Colin ~ a true love I wish for all my friends.
In Memorium . Mark Niziol 1977 - 2013

Team Pussy

The "crack team" of artists who helped to shape the full-length show are... 

Director - Claire Rice
Movement Director - Julianne Fawsitt
Dialect Coach - Patricia Reynoso
Images & Icon - Sarah Roland
SpokesPussy - Cadillac "Caddy" Fawsitt a.k.a. @ratfacekillah

=^..^=

Pussy at New York International Fringe Festival - Maura Halloran in association with New Conservatory Theatre Center, SF
Pussy at Seattle Fringe is produced by Ann Eisenberg
"The Road Pussy Tour" is supported by a "Diva's Hit the Road" grant from SF DIVAfest