The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe

The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (1977) is a one-woman stage show written by Jane Wagner and starring Lily Tomlin,[1] which won the Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience and was turned into a film in 1991.

The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe
Directed byJohn Bailey
Produced byJane Wagner
Written byJane Wagner
StarringLily Tomlin
Clay Walker
CinematographyJohn Bailey
Edited bySally Menke
Distributed byOrion Classics
Release date
  • September 27, 1991 (1991-09-27)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The show, Tomlin's second Broadway billing as a solo performer, follows Tomlin as she performs various characters or persona, all while wearing simple black pants and a white blouse. The show appears disparate at first, but becomes unified under the sensibility of the opening "bag lady" persona as the performance progresses. The show is often praised or considered controversial for its feminist material, most notably the compressed history of the feminist movement offered in Act 2. For her stage performance, Tomlin won a Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics' Circle awards.[2]

The film was directed by John Bailey and edited by Sally Menke, and stays true to the original stage performance, earning the Golden Space Needle Award at the Seattle International Film Festival. For her efforts on the film, Tomlin received a Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture American Comedy Awards, amongst other notable accolades.

References
  1. Canby, Vincent (September 27, 1991). "Lily Tomlin, Translated From Stage To Screen". The New York Times. New York City: New York Times Company.
  2. Gentile, John (1989). Cast of One: One-Person Shows from the Chautauqua Platform to the Broadway Stage. Illinois UP. pp. 169–172.


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