2.5 Minute Ride and 101 Humiliating Stories

by Lisa Kron

This book collects Lisa Kron's two extraordinary solo performance works. Best known for her ongoing work as a member of The Five Lesbian Brothers, Kron's solo pieces are very personal examinations of both herself and her family history. This is singularly clear in 2.5 Minute Ride , where her writing deftly maneuvers between the tragic drama of the Holocaust and the wry comedy of her family's attempts to pursue pleasure at the local amusement park. This critically acclaimed work played to sold out audience for over six months at New York's Public Theatre. Also included is the riotous 101 Humiliating Stories , which first premiered in 1993, and in fact only consists of seventeen tales but each, as the author observes, has several humiliations. It recounts the adventures and misadventures of a self-described Big Lesbian as she tests the boundaries of decorum in social and professional situations.

Genres: Plays, Nonfiction, LGBT, Jewish, Memoir

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[Phoenix Ocean · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some powerful moments in here, but I think I just can't get fully absorbed in the one woman play genre. There seems to be something heavy-handed and high school drama department-y about it.

[Afton Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

2.5 Minute ride I really was dragging myself through until the latter half, maybe more engaging if I saw it performed live? The second half is a weirdly powerful punch of comedy and tragedy though, left me thinking for sure - there's one notion that is presented that I'm still thinking about. Other than that I find it fairly unmemorable, I only just read it this morning and I can only remember the rough gist of it.

101 Humiliating Stories was right up my street though, hilarious through and through and I would love to see it live. Essentially a storytelling/physical comedy routine but I felt a lot more connected with these everyday stories.

[Rachel Bernstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved loved loved.

read for: ENGL contemporary drama.

[James Binz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating monologues. Well written and innovative.

[Brooke Cousins · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh i just loved this

[Liane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this, but it didn’t resonate with me.

[Hadassa · Rating 3 out of 5]

🩷wow cafe lesbian theater collective🩷
2.5 is masterfully crafted but I wanted more from each of the fragments woven together. 101 is outdated but cute

[user_fjifods998877 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure I bought this e-book because some podcast (might be New Yorker Radio Hour or Fresh Air) recommended the show - that was 2021!! I finally started reading the book today when I was on subway and realized this was the only book that I've downloaded but have not read on my Kindle. I loved loved 2.5 minute ride, it was so funny that I laughed out loud on the subway.

[Richard B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is made up of two one woman shows, the 2.5 Minute Ride which deals with her father's experience of the holocaust and a visit to Auschwitz, juxtaposed with a trip to Cedar Point. I swear I have seen this performed live, but for the life of me I can't remember where. But it is a moving piece. The second piece 101 Humiliating Stories deals with Kron's sexuality and whilst good is less engaging that the opening performance.

[Branden · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was alright--typical kroniana. (yeah i just made that word up.) the story her dad tells in the end really makes the whole piece, i think. obviously would rather see it.

[Irma Mayorga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read. Still great.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and touching tribute to her dad. Would love to see the slideshow

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this author on a podcast and was really interested in these plays. It seemed unlikely that I would ever see them performed. I don't know that reading the play gives enough impact.

[Anna Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligent, witty, well-written, colorful, full of texture, and a story that needed to be told.

[Daniel Krolik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Kron is a treasure. The 2.5 Minute Ride is equal parts hilarious and devastating, and draws some uncanny parallels with her amazing work on Fun Home.