“Come on this journey and witness Gillian looking for her big break” I will let this sentence speak for itself from first-time Edinburgh Fringe performer Gillian Gurganus in her interview with me ahead of this year’s festival.
What’s your show called for Edinburgh Fringe 2025?
My show is And All That Jazz, it’s a half hour – written by and starring ME, Gillian Gurganus! I’m a beautiful comedian from New York City and this show explores my journey to stardom, one horrible, mind-numbing job at a time!
How long have you been doing the Edinburgh Fringe?
This is my first time performing at the Edinburgh Fringe – I’ve never even been to the UK! I went to Spain in 2023 but that ended tragically – ooh, maybe that’ll be my next solo show!
How do you cope with the overwhelming chaos that the Fringe brings?
I want to see a psychic so badly. My boyfriend says I’ll be “opening the doors to demons” – but I’m like, honey, what if those demons want tickets to my show? I got seats to fill, babes. I’m a glass half-full person so I just feel like the psychic would foresee beautiful outcomes for my first Fringe. I’m also planning on choosing a new TV show to binge so that I can come home at the end of the day, do my skincare, and doomscroll while a show plays in the background. Heaven!
What sort of shows will you see if you have time?
Seeing Catherine Cohen’s new show, Broad Strokes, is a must for me! I’ve been a fan of hers for years, seeing all of her shows in New York that I can – I’m going to try to see Broad Strokes at least 3 times! I’ll also be cheering loudly in the audience of my friend’s solo shows, like Bailey Swilley’s Gimme a Sign!, Andrea Coleman’s 3 White Guys Named John, and Douglas Widick’s Paperclip. I love solo shows but would love to see some plays and musicals! Preferably ones that make me cry off my signature winged eyeliner!
Have you performed at any other Fringe’s? If so, which has been your favourite so far?
I’ve never performed in a Fringe, but I have done The PIT’s (The Peoples Improv Theater here in New York City) SOLOCOM Festival two years in a row now! It’s such a great opportunity for solo artists to develop new shows and material – I even performed an early 15-minute version of And All That Jazz at SOLOCOM 2024!
Any advice to newbies about flyering?
I’m a newbie myself to the Fringe, BUT a huge chunk of my show is actually about me having a flyering job in Times Square, NYC. I became a pro at flyering – you gotta be engaging, actually stick the flyer in each person’s hands (don’t just offer them to take it!), oh and being stunningly beautiful doesn’t hurt!
What are your plans for the show after the Edinburgh Fringe?
When – not if, Broadway calls…I must answer! I think I’ll do a victory lap tour back in the States, for sure. I hope I get to play myself in the movie version of my show, but if not, D’Arcy Carden will do!
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/and-all-that-jazz-a-half-hour-by-gillian-gurganus
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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