Actress Charlotte Rae, singer Michael Feinstein and playwright Terrence McNally recently caught performances of The Big Voice: God or Merman?, the new hit musical written and performed by Jim Brochu and Steve Schalchlin. The acclaimed show, which plays The Actors Temple Theatre (339 W. 47th Street), opened on November 30th.
In The Big Voice,
"Jim and Steve musicalize their relationship and hilariously prove that
showbiz is as much a calling as the priesthood. This high energy,
razzle-dazzle show chronicles the lives of a Baptist from Arkansas and
a Catholic from Brooklyn who find eternal salvation in the temple of
musical theatre," press notes state. The Big Voice "traces
the couple's meeting aboard a ship in the Atlantic Ocean, Steve's
struggle with AIDS, the production of their hit off-Broadway musical The Last Session,
their separation and their reconciliation. It's a comedy about a 'gay
marriage' between two men created by the couple themselves. " The Big Voice is directed by Anthony Barnao (Come Back Little Sheba, Lovers and Other Strangers), and presented by Murphy Cross, Paul Kreppel and Edmund Gaynes.
The
performance schedule is : Tues.-Thurs. at 8:00PM; Wed. at 3:00PM; Sat.
at 3:00PM and 8:00PM; and Sun. at 3:00PM and 7:00PM. Visit www.thebigvoice.com for tickets and more information.