Contradiction of the Southern Soul

Tony Award Nominated and multiple Drama Desk Award winner Sally Mayes is known for her megawatt onstage presence, unassailable acting chops, and show stopping voice. That all of these attributes are on full display in Contradiction of a Southern Soul is to be expected, what is not is that Mayes is also an adept, witty playwright and songwriter.

It is important to note that the show, while inspired by the people, places, and events of her early life growing up in Texas, is not an autobiography. The show follows Billie Dawson, a successful performer who returns to empty her late mother’s house which triggers a flood of memories and family conflicts. As the stories pour forth we gradually discover that Billie is also dealing with her own crisis.

Mayes moves seamlessly between Billie and multiple characters from her past. There’s the Tea Lady from Luby’s cafeteria who dispenses gossip and her own slightly skewed world view along with your beverage of choice and Cousin Becky who is by turns hysterical, shocking and heartbreaking. But Mayes’ most delicate portrayal is that of Billie’s mother Pearl with whom she had a complicated relationship that alternates between conflict, maternal pride and deep love. She takes on characters that in a less skilled performer’s hands would be the butt of jokes and imbues them with profound inner lives, desires and all too human foibles. We know these women, we love them and Mayes allows us to see them in all their complex glory.

The songs in the show, co-written with Alex Rybeck, Ethan Fein and the Late Tex Arnold, and orchestrated by Cooper Baldwin serve as a window into Billie’s emotions, and punctuate key moments in her life. Particularly delightful is “Dagmar the Pirate King” which tells the story of romance reading Walmart clerk LaWanda who runs off one night to find something better than life with her plumber husband. The band led by Daryl Kojak with Alyssa Kim on violin beautifully support Mayes, providing added texture to the show.

Fellow Texan, Brett Cullen, best known for his Television and film roles, directs Contradiction with a light hand that gives Mayes the space to do what she does best, creating and inhabiting indelible characters.

Contradiction of the Southern Soul is a profoundly moving, deeply funny show that will stay with you long after the last note fades. Sally Mayes is a force to be reckoned with, truly an artist who can do it all. Contradiction of the Southern Soul

Starring Sally Mayes

At the United Solo Theatre Festival, Theatre Row, NYC

March 22, 2026 at 2:00 pm

March 29, 2026 at 2:00 pm

April 5, 2026 at 2:00 pm

April 9, 2026 at 8:30 pm

April 12, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Get tickets here.