Sunday, June 15, 2008

Review of Big Voice: Falstaff & Prince Hal

It's fun to see how different critics and observers view The Big Voice. In Dallas we were "Zero Mostel in love with Anthony Perkins." In Philadelphia, as the opening to the Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Theatre Festival, a particularly literate reviewer, Henrik Eger, saw us in Shakespearean termshttp://www.henrikeger.com/Theatre-Arts.php#TheatreArchive:

Serious, skinny Schalchlin looks like the unlikely Prince Hal to match big Brochu, who looks and acts like a campy Falstaff. Both bring out a humanity in most unexpected ways.
Just as the sixteen-year-old Hal was almost killed by an arrow which became lodged in his face, he survived through the benefit of the best possible care, though his face was permanently marked by deep scars, proof of his valor in battle, so Schalchlin was nurtured back to life from the devastating ravages of AIDS by his life-mate Brochu. Their life, dramatically different as they are—one a young, introverted Baptist from Arkansas versus the overweight, boisterous Brooklyn boy who idolizes Ethel Merman and nurtures a hidden desire to become a priest, if not the Pope—comes together in a production that entertains as the best of Broadway shows but also takes us to the abyss of a Shakespearean tragedy. The audience at the old Plays and Players Theatre both fought tears at times but, even more often, roared with laughter
Indeed, the house was ROCKING both nights in spite of the fact that, at the first performance, we were both spitting out wrong dialogue and forgetting lyrics here and there. Luckily, it didn't matter. We just plowed on through and kicked ass. I'll have some pictures later on. But what a weekend.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I was at the Saturday night performance with my partner and two friends, and I must say that the extremely talented Jim & Steve were SPECTACULAR!!!!! We laughed, we cried, and then we laughed and cried some more. This show poignantly touched so many aspects of my life personally, and it was a privilege to be a part of the audience. We met Jim & Steve and they are absolutely wonderful guys. They have taken their lives and openly shared them with us - all the ups and the downs and, most importantly, their triumphs. A show that inspires hope!! I almost died from AIDS and also triumphed over it, and now I am partnered with the most wonderful man I have ever met. Being an unabashed romantic, I was in tears when Jim & Steve reconciled and ended up back together. Much more success is ahead for you guys!!!!

Love you both,
Dean