ROCHESTER, NEW YORK REVIEWSROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE (February 11, 2003)
Some people go searching and find God. Some go searching and find Ethel Merman. And some, namely Steve Schalchlin and Jim Brochu, have the talent and inspiration to combine those searches into a funny and affecting musical. The Big Voice: God or Merman? is a mesmerizing blend of nostalgia, wit, one-liners, sarcasm, tragedy and silliness plus a single costume change that guarantees laughs. When they sing together, each voice seems to balance out the other’s, just as their personalities do in their relationship. That relationship is propelled by a series of coincidences and tested by tragedy. These enthusiastic performers transform suffering and a desire to worship, be it God or Ethel, into great stories and big laugher.Rochester City Magazine (February 11, 2003)
The Big Voice: God or Merman? by Steve Schalchlin and Jim Brochu is completely original and utterly rewarding. A musical about two totally opposite, deeply religious, gay men falling in love, surviving AIDS and finding success in showbiz could be camp or cliché. But we are truly indebted to Downstairs Cabaret Theatre for producing the East Coast premiere of this hilarious, gut-wrenching, startlingly honest show. With its creators acting and singing together onstage, The Big Voice presents their story through writer Brochu's witty script and composer/lyricist Schalchlin's winsome songs. Their comic, romantic and musical stories continue in that L'il Abner vs. Noel Coward vein and the audience's pleasure in this happy ending is palpable at the rousing finale. I can't overemphasize what value you'll miss if you don't see this show.TALKIN’ BROADWAY ROCHESTER (February 25, 2003)
The Big Voice is absolutely tremendous - both hilariously funny and very dramatic. Very rarely does a theatrical experience capture your inner being and transport you some-where else. I was just floored. Schalchlin and Brochu have a magical gift of reaching into people's souls. You MUST go see this show.