The Shed production of The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life, starring Emmy-nominated Saturday Night Live star Cecily Strong, will end its run February 6 at the Hudson Yards arts venue. The solo show began previews December 21 and officially opened January 11.
Tony nominee Leigh Silverman (Violet, Grand Horizons) helmed the new staging, with a script freshly revisited by playwright Jane Wagner, who wrote the tour-de-force in 1985 to be performed by her partner (now wife) Lily Tomlin. Tomlin, who serves as executive producer along with Wagner for The Shed production, won a Best Actress Tony Award for the show's first Broadway production.
INTERVIEW: Cecily Strong Talks About Jumping From Screen to Stage in the Solo Show Made Famous by Lily Tomlin
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe begins with a character named Trudy, who serves as guide to aliens (and the audience) searching for intelligent life on Earth. The production explores American society, art, power, and the feminist movement through a comedic and quick-witted investigation.
The production is choreographed by James Alsop, with a set design by Christine Jones and Mary Hamrick, costume design by Anita Yavich, lighting design by Stacey Derosier, and sound design and original composition by Elisheba Ittoop. Justin Scribner serves as production stage manager.
