SoHo Playhouse’s mission is to support “work that changes minds, encourages discussion, and opens hearts” by incubating new works. It also saves audiences the time and expense of traveling to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by bringing standout productions to New York City.
One of these is Shell, written, co-created, and performed by Ana Evans, with Linnea Scott as co-creator and director. Fresh from the 2025 Fringe Festival, this intimate solo production reflects SoHo Playhouse’s commitment to sharing new works with a wider audience.
As the audience enters, each person receives a sheet of lined paper and is asked to write down something they have always wanted. Earplugs are also offered, hinting at the intense audience participation to come. Shell is an interactive workshop that promises spiritual release while exploring questions of gender, anatomy, and desire.
Evans introduces Andy, a confused but lovable “hockey bro” who is launching a sex education class at his college. His goal is to B(reak) R(eproductive) O(ppression). Despite his uncertainty, Andy is convinced he can “change your life!” Evans also plays Peanut, an otherworldly figure driven by desire. Through these two characters, she deconstructs the standard of binary identity and digs into the changing relationships that people have with their bodies. This is a form of sex education unlike anything most people have seen.
Evans draws the audience into activities and lessons so fully that at times the volume resembles a small rock concert—hence the earplugs. Performer and audience work through the show’s questions together, making the crowd an essential part of the experience.
Shell offers a distinctive form of sex education, transforming it into both a drag show and a jester-like exercise. Traditionally, the function of a court jester was to use humor to deliver truths that people may not want to hear. Evans fills this role brilliantly. She urges the audience to listen to what their bodies truly want. The show dares the audience to imagine who they could become, ignoring the limits imposed by their body.
At the end, Evans also takes care to acknowledge the production team, including Lola Basillere (sound design), Lee Lillis (lighting design), Luckill (animation), and Luca Evans and Myer Rosenblum (technical direction). Together, they have created a daring, strange, and hilarious sixty-minute show.
