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Stefan Marks Delivers Provocative One-Man Show at 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival
The 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival featured a solo performance by actor‑writer Stefan Marks titled “My One Woman Show. (The Search for a Truthful Moment).” The show ran at the Madnani Theatre in West Hollywood on six dates between June 5 and June 27, 2026. Tickets were available through the festival’s website.
A review published in the NoHo Arts District described the production as “one of the funniest, cleverest, and most shocking plays” the reviewer had seen. The review noted that Marks portrays a man—possibly himself—who is trying to create a one‑person show after being dismissed from a solo‑show workshop. The narrative follows his search for a “truthful moment” while he improvises jokes, reflects on past failures, and ultimately confronts a life‑changing revelation. The reviewer reported that the audience gasped during a pivotal moment, indicating the emotional impact of the performance.
Marks is known for his work as a writer and actor in projects such as “Dragon Age: Origins,” “Velvet Buzzsaw,” and the television series “Justified.” The solo‑performance format, also called a one‑man show, has a long history in American theatre, with notable examples such as “Defending the Caveman” and “Ophelia,” another play by Marks that premiered at the Odyssey Theatre in 2024. The format allows a single performer to tell a story through monologue, character work, and comedic timing, often blending autobiographical material with fictional elements.
The Madnani Theatre, formerly the Lex Theatre, opened in 2022 and is affiliated with the Hollywood Schoolhouse. The venue’s mission is to provide a performance space for students and the community. Its address is 6760 Lexington Ave, West Hollywood, and it has hosted a variety of theatrical productions, including the 2026 Fringe Festival shows.
The Hollywood Fringe Festival is an annual, non‑curated event that takes place in Hollywood, California. According to its Wikipedia entry, the festival operates in venues around Hollywood Theatre Row and relies on performers to register, produce, and market their own shows. The 2026 edition included a mix of solo performances, ensemble pieces, and experimental works. The festival’s support for independent artists aligns with the tradition of fringe theatre as a platform for unconventional storytelling.
The review also highlighted the emotional resonance of the show, describing it as “achingly beautiful” and “brilliantly written.” The reviewer noted that the performance “sneaks up on you” in ways that are “unprepared” and “stunningly perfect.” The show’s structure—beginning with comedic self‑reflection, moving through personal history, and culminating in a profound revelation—was cited as a key element that keeps audiences engaged for days after the performance.
Tickets for the show were listed on the festival’s project page (https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/14042). The six scheduled performances were:
- Friday, June 5 at 9 PM (press preview) - Saturday, June 13 at 7:30 PM - Friday, June 19 at 8:30 PM - Monday, June 22 at 7:00 PM - Thursday, June 25 at 8:30 PM - Friday, June 26 at 4 PM - Saturday, June 27 at 8:00 PM
The show’s run at the Madnani Theatre places it within the broader context of West Hollywood’s vibrant theatre scene, which includes the NoHo Arts District in North Hollywood—a community known for its concentration of professional theatres, art galleries, and performance venues. The district’s proximity to the Metro B and G lines has made it a regional hub for cultural activity.
In summary, Stefan Marks’ “My One Woman Show. (The Search for a Truthful Moment)” was a standout entry in the 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival. The production combined humor, personal reflection, and emotional depth in a solo‑performance format that resonated with audiences and critics alike. The show’s successful run at the Madnani Theatre demonstrates the continued relevance of fringe festivals as platforms for innovative theatrical work.
A review published in the NoHo Arts District described the production as “one of the funniest, cleverest, and most shocking plays” the reviewer had seen. The review noted that Marks portrays a man—possibly himself—who is trying to create a one‑person show after being dismissed from a solo‑show workshop. The narrative follows his search for a “truthful moment” while he improvises jokes, reflects on past failures, and ultimately confronts a life‑changing revelation. The reviewer reported that the audience gasped during a pivotal moment, indicating the emotional impact of the performance.
Marks is known for his work as a writer and actor in projects such as “Dragon Age: Origins,” “Velvet Buzzsaw,” and the television series “Justified.” The solo‑performance format, also called a one‑man show, has a long history in American theatre, with notable examples such as “Defending the Caveman” and “Ophelia,” another play by Marks that premiered at the Odyssey Theatre in 2024. The format allows a single performer to tell a story through monologue, character work, and comedic timing, often blending autobiographical material with fictional elements.
The Madnani Theatre, formerly the Lex Theatre, opened in 2022 and is affiliated with the Hollywood Schoolhouse. The venue’s mission is to provide a performance space for students and the community. Its address is 6760 Lexington Ave, West Hollywood, and it has hosted a variety of theatrical productions, including the 2026 Fringe Festival shows.
The Hollywood Fringe Festival is an annual, non‑curated event that takes place in Hollywood, California. According to its Wikipedia entry, the festival operates in venues around Hollywood Theatre Row and relies on performers to register, produce, and market their own shows. The 2026 edition included a mix of solo performances, ensemble pieces, and experimental works. The festival’s support for independent artists aligns with the tradition of fringe theatre as a platform for unconventional storytelling.
The review also highlighted the emotional resonance of the show, describing it as “achingly beautiful” and “brilliantly written.” The reviewer noted that the performance “sneaks up on you” in ways that are “unprepared” and “stunningly perfect.” The show’s structure—beginning with comedic self‑reflection, moving through personal history, and culminating in a profound revelation—was cited as a key element that keeps audiences engaged for days after the performance.
Tickets for the show were listed on the festival’s project page (https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/14042). The six scheduled performances were:
- Friday, June 5 at 9 PM (press preview) - Saturday, June 13 at 7:30 PM - Friday, June 19 at 8:30 PM - Monday, June 22 at 7:00 PM - Thursday, June 25 at 8:30 PM - Friday, June 26 at 4 PM - Saturday, June 27 at 8:00 PM
The show’s run at the Madnani Theatre places it within the broader context of West Hollywood’s vibrant theatre scene, which includes the NoHo Arts District in North Hollywood—a community known for its concentration of professional theatres, art galleries, and performance venues. The district’s proximity to the Metro B and G lines has made it a regional hub for cultural activity.
In summary, Stefan Marks’ “My One Woman Show. (The Search for a Truthful Moment)” was a standout entry in the 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival. The production combined humor, personal reflection, and emotional depth in a solo‑performance format that resonated with audiences and critics alike. The show’s successful run at the Madnani Theatre demonstrates the continued relevance of fringe festivals as platforms for innovative theatrical work.
