The Trials and Tribulations of Dating

02/18/2013 4:09 PM

By Crystal Vining ’13

Just in time for St. Valentine’s Day, Department of Theatre Arts alumnus Pip Lilly ’91 will discuss the birds and the bees and much more in his new one-man show set to debut this month in Los Angeles, Calif.

Lilly will star in “Boyfriend Material,” a series of comedic monologues that examine the ups and downs of dating, love and relationships. Lilly said he drew his inspiration to write “Boyfriend Material” from past relationships and character studies.

In the play, Lilly explains the challenges of the dating world through a variety of different characters, such as a substitute teacher who needs to be taught a lesson about age, a cowboy who has an odd relationship with a horse, a single black female who is more engaged in religion than men and many more.

Acting for Lilly was a passion that started at Bradley. While on campus, he performed in multiple theatre performances and led the University’s student gospel choir. He helped bring churches from around the country to participate in a gospel workshop with well-known groups of the genre. It’s here that Lilly caught the acting bug that guided him towards a career in theatre performance.

After leaving Bradley, he headed to Northern Illinois University to pursue an MFA in acting and then ended up in Chicago where he became involved with the Second City comedy club. After taking a few improvisation classes there, Lilly auditioned for and became a member of the theatre’s national touring company. 

As his debut draws closer, Lilly, now based in L.A., is preparing to perform of a large audience. With the help of his characters and his background, Lilly’s show will be a one-man hit but until the opening, he must rehearse, rehearse and rehearse.

“My show opens soon,” he said, “so I have been extremely busy.”

Performances of “Boyfriend Material” run on Feb. 21, 28, and March 7 at 8 p.m. at The Second City Hollywood theatre. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit http://www.secondcity.com/performances/hollywood/calendarandtickets/