SNL star Cecily Strong is making her off-Broadway debut

If you’re looking for Cecily Strong on a Saturday night, she won’t show up at Rockefeller Center Studio 8H or even your TV.

Every Saturday night in January, you’ll find “Saturday Night Live” actors and “Schmigadoon!” star, in a real, live theater. She will make her debut on the New York stage in the one-woman show “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe,” which opens at Shed. “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe” may have premiered on Broadway more than 30 years ago, but its themes remain true in 2022.

It was written by Jane Wagner and stars her partner Lily Tomlin, who is also involved in the film adaptation. But now actress Cecily Strong is embracing it in her own way in a new production directed by Leigh Silverman at the Arts and Entertainment Complex, the Shed.

“On Stage” presenter Frank DiLella sat down with the actor through Zoom because of the abundance of caution caused by the COVID virus. If he gets sick, there is no performance.

FRANK DILELLA: How challenging was it to bring this up during this global pandemic? I mean, we’re still in the middle of COVID-19, apparently this new variant is underway.

CECILY STRONG: I mean, we have one thing, it’s a one-woman show, so I’m the only one who doesn’t have a mask. I feel great honor, pride, enthusiasm, and inspiration to do theater right now, because it feels like New York made the decision that we’re not dead. I remember friends from abroad [saying,] ‘Oh this …’ and it was kind of like no, don’t kill us until we’ve said we’re dead. This is important to us that we show, and theater is important to us, it is important to this city, and everyone who is in that theater every night is like, “I’m here.” You are here.’ We know how important this is, and we will do it together. It has been a real gift for me and very inspiring.

You can catch Strong in “The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life in The Universe” on Shed until February 6th. And check out “On Stage” this weekend for more of his interview with our host, Frank DiLella.