Inner Voices 2018
About the show
The 2018 biennial series includes three dramatic and intimate one-act solo musicals. More…
"Scaffolding," with words and music by Tony Award nominee Jeff Blumenkrantz. Broadway veteran and Tony Award nominee Rebecca Luker stars in this musical that finds a single mom’s relationship with her brilliant only child tested when he interviews for the college of his choice.
"The Costume," with words and music by Daniel Zaitchik. Newcomer Finn Douglas ("School of Rock") stars in this musical that finds 10-year old Leo on Halloween 1954 given the unexpected task of caring for an injured bird overnight.
"Window Treatment," with words by Deborah Zoe Laufer and music by Daniel Green. Broadway’s Farah Alvin is set to star in this musical that finds a lonely New Yorker planning her future with a stranger across the courtyard.
“Difficult-to-sing but powerfully expressive music…designed not to make you hum it but to support the emotional underpinnings of the lines. Everything is pulled together by gem-like performances and perceptive direction. Add to this Reid Thompson's elegantly simple settings, Aaron Spivey's exquisite lighting, and Brooke Cohen Brown's just-right costuming, and you're in for an unusual treat…A melodically enchanting, intriguingly written, and shiningly polished trilogy of musical theatre jewels.” Full Review
"Each unique story is linked thematically to the other in its exploration of loneliness and isolation, in compelling performances that range from delicate to dangerous...Each musical is deeply thoughtful and simply wrought. The performances lack the cloying self-consciousness that diminishes the quality of many a show...None of the theatrical elements...gets in the way of the story. Each character breaks your heart...as they inspire our compassion and empathy.” Full Review
"This year's three choices for 'Inner Voices' are each extraordinary, both in terms of writing and performing. Taken together, they function as a triptych, each panel telling its own story while echoing themes from the adjoining works of art...Artistic Director Paulette Haupt has woven together the individual voices of three playwriting teams, and has found a way to harmonize them with one another...One of the most moving and satisfying evenings of theater I have experienced this season." Full Review
“’Window Treatment’ fully captures the feeling of longing for someone you’ve only seen, but have never met...’The Costume’ stars a remarkable young talent, Douglas...There is so much heart here, making it impossible not to care...’Scaffolding’ portrays a devoted mother doing her best to shield her son...All three pieces force us to slow down, be more reflective, and provide us with a heavy dose of empathy." Full Review
“’Inner Voices 2018’, display a remarkable range of styles, voices, and content. Two are terrific...’Window Treatment’, is stuffed full of psychological insight and humor. Alvin's performance makes the most of her amazing voice, excellent acting, and heartfelt clowning....’The Costume’...features a young boy who is facing challenges...The show allows us to experience moments of growth in the boy's development with a gentle, lovely touch...’Scaffolding’ is the one I found least successful.” Full Review
"All three works light up with abundant talents...but only one story feels fully at home...That one is 'Window Treatment,' a firecracker of a musical...'The Costume' centers around a 10-year-old boy charged by his next-door neighbor with nursing a wounded pigeon...‘Scaffolding’ offers yet another story about a person on the autism spectrum that’s entirely from someone else’s point of view...'Inner Voices' provides a fascinating look at how different stories can be told." Full Review
“Douglas holds the audience in his tiny palm...in ‘The Costume’, the highlight of this edition of Inner Voices...This is an extraordinary little piece...with a sensibility that recalls the writing of Carson McCullers or Harper Lee...Douglas is word-perfect, unaffected, and so emotionally transparent in his handling of Zaitchik's lovely music and words that one can't look away...The other two pieces...aren't quite as accomplished...but there's so much talent onboard.” Full Review
"Will again hauntingly touch your heart and take you to places that will absorb your soul and reach you in different ways...'The Costume,' stole my heart and touched me in ways I hadn’t expected...This year the pieces are long and could use some cutting, the performances first rate, but each show will affect you." Full Review
"The monologues are set to music and it’s cumulatively pleasing...As his own lyricist, Jeff Blumenkrantz’s affective narrative has momentum, true to life specificity and the words are crafted into distinct song-like sections...The magnetic child performer Finn Douglas is amazing as Leo...The personable Farah Alvin deserves great credit for her stamina during 45-minutes of virtual non-stop singing but she doesn’t possess the requisite exuberant comic qualities to put the show over." Full Review
"'Window Treatment'...Words are darkly amusing and resonant, wandering music contemporary operetta...Variety is imaginative. It works. Timing is deft...'The Costume'...This is adroitly written, tender, and real...Music is so symbiotic, one hardly notices it as something separate...'Scaffolding'...The play’s emotional arc is skillfully created...Director Victoria Clark, who has taken on this subject before, offers a strong, smart, contemporary woman as grounded as her son is adrift." Full Review
"If a trilogy of solo one-act musicals sounds like a threat of art-song preciousness, rest assured: The minidramas in this year's edition of Inner Voices, the biennial showcase mounted by Premieres, tell compelling stories—or at least, two of them do. The disappointment is the collection's third piece, despite the marquee names attached to it...In the anthology's opening musical, 'Window Treatment,' vocal powerhouse Farah Alvin has a much clearer 'you' to address." Full Review
“A trilogy of intimate one-act solo musical portrayals that share a consistent style of mostly sung-through extended monologues set to a score, as well as a common theme of lonely and vulnerable individuals...The writing could use some edits for a quicker pace, lessened redundancy, and a greater impact, and the set changes could have been done efficiently...All three skilled actors offer committed performances with heartfelt vocals and spot-on characterizations.” Full Review
See it if Inner Voices is the place to go for the dose of emotional reality you can't find easily anywhere else. The three pieces were tender.
Don't see it if If you need to avoid real-life situations that may be uncomfortable to know about, much less witness, stay home. I won't miss this next time
See it if you enjoy "depth" musical theater, are keen on the future of American musicals, appreciate good writing & stellar performance, seek quality.
Don't see it if you dislike solo performances, need glitz, eschew modernism, can't listen to musical form more complex than big hits, must be entertained.
Also This was thrilling musical theater that bodes the future of the form. ... Read more Read less
See it if you like strong performances of deep inner thoughts and the time to observe a solo performer's amazing range
Don't see it if you are seeking a song and dance kind of show or lightweight entertainment
Also This set of three works is presented in an intimate setting that fully... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see three wonderful solo mini-musicals. Each one was a complete little story, beautifully performed.
Don't see it if you need big. Each bare-bones piece with little musical accompaniment was just perfect.
Also Unfortunately, it closed today. So glad I got to see it.
See it if 3 beautiful sung-through solo pieces with touching stories & gorgeous music. Captivating, moving, humorous & meaningful slices-of-life.
Don't see it if You are not interested in small chamber music style pieces with solo actors. You are looking for more conflict & less introspection.
See it if you'd be open to 3 completely sung-thru 1-Act monologues. Didn't think I could handle it, even w/2 intm. Left me dazed, amazed & fulfilled.
Don't see it if you prefer epic razzle-dazzle musicals w/large casts & splashy dancing. This delivers a more personal, in-depth view, inside 3 minds/hearts.
Also From funny, to moving, to very sad...... Read more Read less
See it if Each performer was incredible in their own way. I enjoyed the format of three 40 minute pieces with an intermission between each.
Don't see it if Not the usual musical, not songs but solo sung-through performances. Pared-down, simple sets, but such intense performances!
Also Farah Alvin has an absolutely incredible singing voice! Very quirky, a... Read more Read less
See it if These are beautiful, beautiful musical arias about one's innermost thoughts, performed by 3 singers. The child singer was trully brilliant.
Don't see it if Long show, 3 hours.
See it if you enjoy solo vocal performance by three exceptional performers and want some depth in your dramatic story.
Don't see it if you are unable to enjoy monologue performance with a book featuring little spoken and almost totally sung content.
Also Three almost recitative solo musical plays. Though they might feel a b... Read more Read less
See it if you enjoy exciting new musicals and enthralling solo performances. All 3 pieces/performances were strong. Luker and Alvin were spectacular!
Don't see it if you don't like new works/solo shows. This year's selections were impressive. I can't wait to see what's next for these shows/this series.
See it if you would enjoy exploring the internal thoughts of three very different characters in unique situations
Don't see it if You desire hummable tunes, or simply aren’t a fan of minimalist solo performances
Also Window Treatment was an incredibly unique and quirky concept exquisite... Read more Read less
See it if you enjoy thought provoking material presented by wonderful singers, in a music themed monologue.
Don't see it if If you want a splashy musical with dancing and production numbers.
Also The three monologues were wonderfully presented with a well written th... Read more Read less
See it if You like musicals and want to see one act musicals by emerging artists. You like Rebecca Luker.
Don't see it if You want one continuous story - this is an evening of 3 40-minute one acts.
Also Three one act musicals of varying styles. I adored the first one calle... Read more Read less
See it if like one character musicals and you want to see a trio of new ones one after the other.
Don't see it if you don't like one act one characters shows or shows that are almost completely sung.
See it if There are some really good performances here of some interesting, original new pieces. It’s a small, intimate venue. Loved “Costume”.
Don't see it if You are looking for an elaborate broadway production. Are t interested in seeing new, experimental, workshopped work.
See it if Three one act musicals. Great evening. Funny/touching/thoughtful. Blumenkrantz piece/Rebecca Lucker=incredible
Don't see it if Each piece is intimate with only one actor. If you want a larger cast you'll be disappointed.
See it if You love powerful, thought-provoking, innovative new musical theater in an intimate setting with incredible performers
Don't see it if You don't want to think or be moved by musical theater, aren't interested in scores that resonate and push boundaries, and strong acting
Also Paulette Haupt produces this event every other year, and each year it ... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see 3 really terrific one act musicals. Clever, funny,touching... too many superlatives for excellent theater,
Don't see it if you are looking for a big b'way musical.
Also I have seen many of their musicals. This trio is one their best.
See it if You love a funny, poinient , engaging, play with original script and song. Touching and emotional. Loved all three playlets. Go see it!!
Don't see it if Are looking for a 10 piece band in a musical extravaganza.
See it if 3 beautiful solo musicals with unforgettable performances. 1-Farah Alvin as a NYC woman who has an imaginary relationship with a neighbor
Don't see it if 2-Finn Douglas as a 10 year old boy caring for an injured bird. Charming, sweet, totally adorable. Finn, at 11, is a gifted child performer
Also 3-The great Rebecca Luker as a mother of a troubled son applying to co... Read more Read less
See it if you appreciate excellent acting and even more excellent writing. This was a very moving theatrical experience for me.
Don't see it if you do not like one person shows or enjoy musicals with lush romantic melodies. Do not go if you want funny and happy stories.
Also Each of the 3 short plays was well acted. The stories were so well dev... Read more Read less
See it if If you like meaningful lyrics, fine singing and acting with spare but excellent instrumental accompaniment. Wonderful evening.
Don't see it if You don't like musicals or opera. You don't like single character, small scale performances.
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