Candace Bushnell's One-Woman Show: A Personal Journey Behind "Sex and the City"

Candace Bushnell, the creator of the iconic HBO series "Sex and the City," is bringing her life story to the stage with her one-woman show, "Candace Bushnell: Tales of Sex, Success and Sex in the City." This production explores the real-life inspirations behind the series, particularly the character of Carrie Bradshaw, who Bushnell reveals was initially based on her own experiences.

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In her show, Bushnell discusses how her life in New York City during the late 1970s, including her experiences at Studio 54, influenced the creation of "Sex and the City." She emphasizes that while Carrie Bradshaw started as a reflection of herself, the character evolved into something greater. "Carrie Bradshaw is the character that was based on me, probably closer at the beginning of the series, and then it takes on a life of its own," Bushnell stated.

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A segment of the show titled "Real or Not Real" allows Bushnell to differentiate between her actual life events and the fictional plotlines of the series. She notes that many audience members are surprised to learn how closely the show mirrored her own life, particularly in its early seasons. Notably, Bushnell shares her personal story of not ending up with her "Mr. Big," a narrative twist that resonates with many fans of the series.

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Bushnell's journey to creating this show began during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was encouraged by a Hollywood manager to share her story. Initially, she found the task daunting, feeling that writing a play without connections seemed impossible. However, she persevered, drafting the script, securing a director, and raising funds to stage the production at the Bucks County Playhouse.

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Since its inception, Bushnell has performed her show multiple times, including sold-out performances at the London Palladium and Café Carlyle. "I just kept doing it," she remarked, highlighting her commitment to the project despite initial challenges.

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Bushnell hopes that her show not only entertains but also inspires audiences. She describes it as a narrative of a self-made woman navigating the complexities of life, emphasizing the importance of being revealing and authentic. "It's about being revealing, and that might not be something that one wants to do in real life, but it worked on stage," she explained.

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"Candace Bushnell: Tales of Sex, Success and Sex in the City" is scheduled for two performances at the George Street Playhouse starting February 19, 2026. This show promises to offer audiences a unique glimpse into the life of the woman behind one of television's most beloved series.

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• “Originally, Carrie Bradshaw was basically me, and that's one of the things that's a big part of the show, it's about Sex and the City, how I created Sex and the City, how hard I worked to get there and why I invented Carrie Bradshaw,” — Candace Bushnell

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• “ “People are usually surprised by, in some ways, how the show mirrored my own life.” — Candace Bushnell

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• “It seemed impossible to write a play for somebody who had no connections; it just wasn’t gonna happen,” she told the outlet.” — Candace Bushnell

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• “I just kept doing it. I’ve done it three times at Café Carlyle. I’ve actually done it all over the world. I’ve done it twice at The London Palladium to a sold-out crowd,” — Candace Bushnell

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• “It's about being revealing, and that might not be something that one wants to do in real life, be revealing all the time, but it worked on stage.” — Candace Bushnell

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