Dames Like Her ... are always up late.: MEET Sofia, the Proprietress at Salon de Sofia

SNEAK PREVIEW: This is the first time I performed "SOFIA, the Argentinean Bikini Waxer" during Monologues and Madness night at the Cornelia Street Cafe in the West Village. Like all the characters in Dames Like Her, Sofia is based on a real woman who happens to be MY Argentinean Bikini Waxer.

When people ask me - "How in the world do you come up with these things?" I say, "I don't make this up. I just look around and besides my own experiences, there are a wealth of fascinating women to choose from. My collection of monologues are either based on women I know or women I've seen on TV or read about in books, magazines and the web.

DAMES LIKE HER ... are always up late

Hilarious and fearless, "Dames Like Her Are Always Up Late" goes straight for the funny in its mission to politely demolish long-held stereotypes of women "of a certain age". Like the groundbreaking Vagina Monologues but less vagina, more laughs.

Audiences are welcomed by Sofia, an Argentinian bikini-waxer who is the take-no-prisoners proprietress of Salon de Sofia, a tiny salon spa. Rizzo then moves from wig to wig transforming herself into a series of beauty technicians and their diverse clientele, mature women with surprising pasts, sturdy opinions and enduring passions.

Outrageously honest as it is funny, the play is geared to the baby-boomer generation and touches on some taboo hotspots, sexual and otherwise, blowing the lid off what is really said in the company of dames.

"The writing is just brilliant and her performance is impeccable." Libby Reid, Our Town (Men, bring your defibrillators and women, bring Depends.)

Online BUZZ!

NEW YORK TIMES

Perfect Women's Night Out! Francesca Rizzo's ability to quickly switch characters in this wonderful show is amazing. I went with 4 good friends and we can't wait to see her again. Don't miss it!

– Stephanie, NY

Laughed my head off -- This must of been what it was like when Judy Holiday performed at the Village Vanguard and later Lily Tomlin at the Blue Angel. Bravo ! It wigged me out.

Alex Adams, Princeton, NJ

Francesca Rizzo's (Never Underestimate ) Dames Like Her" was funny from beginning to end showcasing Francesca's wonderful acting ability and laugh until your sides hurt dialogue. This show is a winner, go and enjoy it.

– Cheryl Restaino,, Pequannock, NJ

Laughter and insights - you don't just see them, you feel them. Francesca becomes her wonderful ensemble of characters with such comfort and warmth that, no matter how outrageous their edge or OMG moments you encounter.....you really like them because deep down Francesca likes them, too.

It is truly laugh out loud funny -- usually for its cleverness, surprise and insight, but never the result of cheap vulgarity. There are any number of times when the women laugh a lot louder than we men do .... which reminds us that great humor has a foundation of great truths.

This is not stand-up..... this is good writing and any of these characters could have stepped out of a play or novel. Rizzo seems as much in command of fine character driven writing as she is in portraying the characters themselves.

– Leonard Steinbach, New York, NY

A wonderfully fun peek into the lives of women, I loved this rare chance to be a 'fly on the wall. Ms. Rizzo truly pays tribute to them, and she treats them - for all their quirkiness - with respect and love. The result is both comical and heartwarming: a funny comedy aimed at our adult sensibilities.

– MJ Mangan, Ocean Grove, NJ

Laughing till it hurts. I saw "Dames Like Her," Francesca Rizzo’s hilarious solo show twice! Ms. Rizzo’s characters are memorable. She owned the sold-out crowd. The woman next to me laughed so hard she dumped a glass of red wine on my pants. Usually, when I leave a good show one or two characters bounce around my mind. After this show several characters stayed in my head leaving me laughing out of context for the next week. Don’t miss this show. Ms. Rizzo is a gifted & funny actress.

– Thomas R. Pryor, New York, NY

Dynamite fun for those of us at "a certain age" and beyond! Kudos to Ms Rizzo for a superb performance."

– Carol Yeager, New York, NY

This is definitely a FIVE STAR EXCELLENT show ... go! enjoy! laugh!

– Hillary Rollins, New York, NY and Santa Monica, CA

NEW JERSEY ARTHOUSE

Lots of fun watching Francesca move from character to character. Witty monologues! Packed house!

– Marsha, NJ Arthouse

It was funny and brilliantly written!

– Beth Cofone, NJ Arthouse

She was excellent, and had the audience in stitches in recognition of the characters she played, and even the men laughed! I'd be willing to see the show again if at all possible.

– Cristina, NJ Arthouse

I had a great time...I laughed the whole night!

- Fatima, NJ Arthouse

Francesca was great!!!!

- Dawn Lee, NJ Arthouse

NEW YORK BRAINIACS

Francesca was hilarious! It was a fun nite out!

- Madelene, NY Brainiacs

Hysterically funny!

- Deb Maylath, NY Brainiacs

Francesca was a hoot!

-- Ivy, NY Brainiacs

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MEET Sofia, the Proprietress at Salon de Sofia