Abie Philman Bowman, the Fringe's one-man Irish invasion.

The first-ever Hollywood Fringe Festival (June 17-27) will feature all manner of entertainment, from stand-up and cabaret to dance and musical theatre. While I plan to squeeze in a session or two of 1920s and ‘30s-style hot jazz and humor with the Hollywood Hotshots and a silent movie-inspired laughfest with the comedy duo Ten West, it’s the abundance of one-person shows I anticipate with the most enthusiasm.

Among those on my list to catch: “Poor, Poor Lear” starring Nina Sallinen as the 90-year-old Grande Dame of Scandinavian Theatre… “Basic Training,” Kahlil Ashanti’s true story of entertaining the troops… Alice Dattner’s “Eat, Pray, Laugh!,” which follows a Jewish princess on a spiritual quest through India… “Mission of Flowers,” the story of ‘30s aviator Bill Lancaster… “Bonnie in Brighton,” which casts Texan Erin Parks adrift in a British seaside resort…“The Bad Arm,” Irish dancer Maire Clerkin’s antidote to Riverdance… and “Eco-Friendly Jihad,” one of three satiric solo pieces presented by Irish comedian Abie Philbin Bowman, who’s also offering a One-Man Show Workshop (June 19 and 24).

Come early July, more solo shows are on the horizon. Laurence Fishburne is likely to command the lion’s share of the ink with his one-man “Thurgood” at the Geffen Playhouse, but Dael Orlandersmith is a star in her own right. The Pulitzer prize finalist will present her “Stoop Stories” at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City July 7-11. And Los Angeles’ own local treasure, Heather Woodbury, will resume live episodes of her wacky weekly serial “As the Globe Warms” July 10 in Echo Park.

Hot tip: If you’re in San Francisco on June 19, the Marsh Café is the place to be. The humble venue in the Mission District—the nucleus of Bay City’s solo performance scene—is staging a 20th anniversary marathon. Fred Curchack, Marga Gomez, Josh Kornbluth, Sherry Glaser and other soloists of note are scheduled to appear.

More from Jordan:

First Hollywood Fringe Festival to celebrate arts and creativity
Provocative ‘Behind the Gates’ opens in West Hollywood
‘Sarah Sarah’ full of surprises at Pico Playhouse in Los Angeles
Wallace Shawn puzzles in Fullerton, Ethel Waters sings again in Covina

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