"I'm surprised you haven't submitted for our festival," said the email sitting in Steve's inbox. It was from Kris Stewart, Executive Director of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Steve wrote back, "I didn't know about it. I haven't been keeping up on things."

But Kris had heard about The Big Voice.

Jim & Steve joined the festival in its second week, opening September 24th for six performances, the goal of which was to dip its toe in New York waters. If the reaction was negative, they could slink off and maybe try to fix it. If the reaction was positive, then it would provide an excellent platform from which to launch a New York run. Jim designed a new postcard and included all the recent awards and award nominations.

The Festival card design.

Performed at The Belt Theatre on 37th St.

Once again, the full backstage story of how Jim and Steve worked the TKTS booth line, got switched from hotel room to hotel room, and still managed to make it to the show on time is all documented on Steve's Bonus Round site. But in short:

The responses began on the theatre discussion boards, Talkin' Broadway and BroadwayWorld. To the authors' great relief, all of them were raves. Then the first online reviews appeared (below) ending in a nomination for OUTSTANDING OFF-OFF-BROADWAY PRODUCTION by the 16th Annual GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS.
 

THEATERMANIA.COM (September 30, 2004):

You never know who will change your life. It could be Ethel Merman, or maybe a man you meet on a cruise ship in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. In The Big Voice: God or Merman?, Jim Brochu and Steve Schalchlin chronicle their lives through auto-biographical songs and stories. The gay couple has been together for nearly 20 years, and their experiences -- both separate and together -- are engagingly related in this musical two-hander. Brochu knows how to tell a story; he keeps the audience in stitches as he regales them with tales of his past. Describing his early acting career in television commercials, playing dancing raisins and lemons, he wittily observes: "Before long, I was known as one of the most dependable fruits in show business." Schalchlin bares his heart and soul through his songs; his music is intensely personal yet sure to strike chords of recognition for many audience members. One of the strongest numbers is "How Do You Fall Back in Love," an incredibly moving duet that distills the heartache, longing, and depression that resulted from the couple's split in the late 1990s and the cautious optimism and deep-rooted love that led to their reconciliation 80 days later.

This show is an absolute delight. The two men form a partnership that is obviously fulfilling on a personal level but is also a perfect artistic match.

Todd Graff (Director of Camp posting publicly at ALL THAT CHAT!):
Today I saw "The Big Voice - God Or Merman", which struck me as not only hilarious and touching, but quietly REVOLUTIONARY. Here's a fully fleshed out love story between two compelling characters who just happen to be middle aged men. When do you ever see THAT onstage (I know: "La Cage" - but I said fully fleshed out). Jim Brochu and Steve Schalchlin, your show is loaded with heart, and it stole mine. And not only mine - Marge Champion, Tommy Tune and Brian Stokes Mitchell were there, today, bravo-ing, as well. If you get a chance, GO.

Brian Stokes Mitchell with Steve and Jim after a performance.

 
Broadwayworld.com

The Big Voice- God or Merman is a sensitive comic dialogue about two men who share a love of God, musical theatre, and each other. In alternating scenes, they chronicle their early lives as aspirants to the Church, and their later lives as lovers and lovers of musical theatre.

Growing up in separate worlds, Jim Brochu and Steve Schalchlin had nothing in common except a strong devotion to God and a passion for music. Finding love with each other after their individual battles with both the religious and cultural condemnations of homosexuality, the two men had to weather many storms, both external and internal, to hold onto their lives together.

The energy, joy, and wit that Brochu and Schalchlin bring to the stage is infectious, funny, and tenderly poignant. Jim Brochu tells his side of the story with charming and witty monologues, while Steve Schalchlin tells his side mostly through songs of his own composition including the stirring power ballad "How Do You Fall Back Into Love," which is breathtakingly beautiful.

Photo from a live performance of
"How Do You Fall Back In Love?"

 
Snappy, funny, and ultimately poignant and uplifting, the story of the challenges these men have faced just to be where they are today-- together onstage and off-- is wonderful to see. This is a love story that can speak to anyone who has struggled to hold onto a challenging relationship.

Seeseveryshow (All That Chat):
Couldn't be a sweeter way to conclude the NY Musical Theatre Festival's 3-week long musical theatre feeding frenzy than with this sublimely written and performed piece by, about, and starring Jim Brochu and Steve Schalchlin, that is testament to the adage - write about what you know. Their story is interesting and well-told, and the musical moments lend drama and punch to the proceedings. The large audience laughed lustily and applauded warmly for the two talented guys up on stage. They deserve an extended run in Big Apple.

Margo Channing (Broadway World)
What a fun, well-paced, well-written, smart, hilarious, heartfelt show the two of you have -- definitely one of the highlights of the season! The show takes you on quite an emotional journey that's ultimately very satisfying, even uplifting. They're quite a pair (I can only imagine the two of them at a dinner party).

DNYC (all that chat)
THE BIG VOICE: GOD OR MERMAN? was delightful. A great evening, winningly performed by the guys who wrote it. I hope this gets a run somewhere in NYC, many should see it.

Skid132 (All That Chat)
Thanks for a wonderful show. I hope it has a very long life beyond the Festival -- it most certainly deserves to. In the mean time I encourage EVERYONE to go see the three remaining shows -- you'll love it! What a terrific time. I wish EVERYONE I know could see it.

Talkin Broadway
Brochu's well-written narrative and flair for storytelling (under Anthony Barnao's direction) really bring the show's themes of religion and show biz together in meaningful and inventive ways. Funny and witty discussions of religion, show biz, and Merman, in act one turn to searing personal drama in act two.

Chipaproo (All That Chat)
This show was a real sleeper! I didn't know anything about it, but it sounded kind of interesting, so I stopped by The Belt to check it out. Man...what a terrific show! One of these guys is a polished actor, the other isn't, but it didn't matter. This was hilariously funny, but also moving in spots, and just heartwarming. This show deserves a long life. I hope it gets a great response!"

Ga is Silent (Broadway world.chat)
Let me tell you, The Big Voice is spectacular. [Someone involved with NYMF] said it was the best show he'd seen in the festival, and the best audience reaction. Jim Brochu's incredible theatrics are not to be missed, and Steve Schalchlin's glorious songs are the best thing on stage this year.

[Link to New York reviews].

An off-Broadway production is currently being planned for 2005.

In the meantime, Jim and Steve, in addition to the theatrical performances, have also been performing the show -- or parts of the show -- informally for community groups, college theatre departments, at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly, at churches and even nightclubs. They love bringing the message, music and laughter of The Big Voice wherever it can go.

Anyone reading this who wants more information should feel free to write to
info @ thebigvoice.com.

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