Following sold-out performances and five-star acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, stand-up comedian, actor, and writer Liz Coin brings her internationally celebrated solo show “Lizzy Sunshine” back to New York for a limited engagement at the SoHo Playhouse from May 6–16.
“Lizzy Sunshine” is a fast-paced, interactive bend of clown, character comedy, and audience participation, written and acted by Liz, who I had the honor of interviewing:
So, where are you now in the run of this show?
I just finished a sold-out performance in North Carolina. I was in Chicago in March, then there are these New York shows, then I go straight to London for shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the week of the 19th, then I travel a bit through Europe with it.
That Edinburgh run isn’t your first time there, right?
Yes, I was there last year, where I actually began to work out Lizzy Sunshine, over a two- week test run. It was pretty much a work in progress that I really got to figure out there, and the reviews I got helped me land a booker and then this all happening.
I have heard a lot about Edinburgh, though I have never been. Is it indeed one of the big festivals when it comes to live theatre, right?
One hundred percent, it is the quintessential festival, there really is nothing like it. In fact, it’s the third largest, most-ticketed event in the world. The whole city is taken over by it; every extra space turns into a theatre.
So, how do you go from there in a year to here in New York? What else does it take other than securing a booker and getting great reviews?
It’s a matter of digging in and asking people I know, how do you do this. I applied to venues, negotiated, did and do my own wheeling and dealing. I raise money through legit means and with people who help with producing the show, getting together with helpful administrative and was well as creative folks.
Let’s go back a bit, how did you first get started in theatre?
I’m from Chicago, grew up in pretty much a practical Greek family, but was bit by the theatre bug in community theatre. In college I didn’t major in theatre arts though, I was in business and economics, but I soon pivoted into film and loved it. Along the way I joined Second City in Chicago and really just loved comedy. I began performing more and more and moved to New York, working in the improv, stand-up world, looking for acting gigs while working on developing characters. I got an agent but really didn’t think about developing a solo show because I never saw myself as a writer, immersed in stand-up and character development as I was. But over time I found myself straddling stand-up as well as putting together this show, creating characters and writing this show.
What differences have you found in the theatre communities in the specific cities you’ve worked in?
I loved Chicago, I’m so thankful for the things I did there and the people I met. I can’t speak to the LA comedy scene having never actually worked in it, but I get a sense that there might be lots of opportunity there. The New York scene though, it’s so cool, there is no place like New York City. There is an open mike in New York every hour on the hour, everyday. You can really cut your teeth working hard in New York, the scene is very accessible.
Being that I was raised in the Midwest, of course I thought I’d find the east coast rude, and yes New Yorker’s are not generally sticky sweet. But I have noticed people are very down to help you. I have seen this in the stand-up world for sure, but that’s very much a solo sport. But the theatre community also is very helpful, people have been so great. Although in New York you have to be forward, people will certainly share, give you what you want but you have to ask for it, as in ‘Hey, I want some of that!’
Without giving it all away can you give us a little clue about Lizzy Sunshine, what an audience member can expect from the show?
Basically, in the whole thing I’m lying from the jump. The premise is two siblings coming on stage to basically do this kind of Ted Talk, but one is running late, we have to get started with the show, so I do and use the audience to fil in the blanks.
And you’re presenting the show at the wonderful SoHo Playhouse, for a short run between May six through the sixteenth.
Yes, come down, everyone. It’s going to be a great time, and I so look forward to this New York run!
Grab tickets for Lizzy Sunshine. HERE
Lizzy Sunshine
SoHo Playhouse (15 Vandam St, New York, NY)
May 6–16, 2026
Performance Schedule: Wednesday–Saturday: 7:00 PM and Sunday, May 10: 5:00 PM
