News Summary
Elena Martinez’s one-woman dark comedy ‘Funeral Show’ will debut at the 2025 Hollywood Fringe Festival from June 8th to June 29th. This innovative production explores complex parental relationships and grief through theatrical elements like drag and clowning, encouraging the audience to dress in black and bring tissues. Directed by Natasha Mercado, ‘Funeral Show’ promises a thought-provoking experience that resonates with those dealing with loss.
Hollywood, CA – Elena Martinez’s One-Woman Show “Funeral Show” Set to Premiere at the 2025 Hollywood Fringe Festival
Elena Martinez’s latest one-woman dark comedy, titled “Funeral Show,” is scheduled to make its debut this June at the 2025 Hollywood Fringe Festival. The show will run from June 8th to June 29th at The Broadwater Studio, featuring a total of five performances. This innovative production delves into the emotional complexities of parental relationships and the processes of grief.
The “Funeral Show” is designed to engage the audience through a mix of theatrical elements, combining musical theater, drag, and clowning. Martinez aims to craft an experience that offers closure and provokes thought for individuals grappling with complicated family ties. Audience members are encouraged to attend dressed in black and to bring tissues, as the performance embraces themes of mourning and reflects on loss.
Elena Martinez: A Journey Through Comedy and Performance
Elena Martinez has built an impressive career in comedy over the past decade, primarily focusing on improv and sketch work. Her first solo show, “One Night in Aurora,” premiered at Sketchfest Seattle in 2017, exploring themes of love and dreams. Prior to this, she was part of the ensemble group Getting Naked with Friends, which performed at Seattle Sketchfest in both 2016 and 2017.
In 2018, Martinez collaborated on the duo show “Sober Virgin,” where she tackled issues surrounding addiction and codependency through a humorous lens. Before relocating to Los Angeles, she gained recognition for her performances in a holiday musical parody and the Seattle improv show Uncle Mike Ruins Christmas. Currently, she performs with her house team Cynthia at the World’s Greatest Improv School and leads the production Not Too Shabby at UCB.
Notable Director Natasha Mercado to Guide the Production
The “Funeral Show” is directed by Natasha Mercado, a respected director and performer known for her unique “Soft Clown” style. Mercado is also staging three original works at the Hollywood Fringe Festival this June. Her previous solo shows, “Tree” and “#1 Son,” have toured internationally and received critical acclaim, with “Tree” being included in Stage Raw’s Top 10 Shows in Los Angeles. Additionally, Mercado has made significant contributions to The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company, where she mentors young, under-resourced individuals to help develop theatrical performances.
The Hollywood Fringe Festival Overview
The Hollywood Fringe Festival is a vibrant celebration of theater and performance art, showcasing a diverse array of works every June. Among the other productions scheduled for the 2025 festival is a compelling one-act scientific thriller titled “Phoenix,” which will run from June 9th to June 25th, 2025. An audience favorite, “44: The Obama Musical,” is set to return to the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City from May 2 to June 22, 2025, before moving to Chicago’s Studebaker Theater later in the summer. Furthermore, the Tony Award-winning adaptation of “Life of Pi” will make its Los Angeles debut at the Ahmanson Theatre in the same year.
The 2025 season marks a competitive time on Broadway, highlighted by the recent announcement of the Tony Award nominations. Productions across a range of categories will be recognized for their outstanding achievements, promising an exciting year for theater-goers. With musicals, comedies, and new plays in the lineup, the Hollywood Fringe Festival continues to uphold its reputation as a significant platform for emerging and established talent alike in the performing arts.
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- Broadway Best Shows 2025
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: Broadway Theater
- What’s on Broadway
- Google News: Broadway News
- Off-Broadway Shows
- Google Search: Off-Broadway Shows
