The Big Voice: God or Merman?
Jim Brochu
The Last Session
by Marie Cain, Jim Brochu, Steve Schalchlin
Off-Broadway
Highlights
Awards & Recognition
Drama League Award Outer Critics Circle
Nominee: New York Drama League Award, Distinguished Production of a Musical Nominee: Outer Critics Circle, Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical
Synopsis
Cast of five.
A "hilarious and heartbreaking" Off Broadway sensation and cult hit, The Last Session gathers singers and an offstage engineer in a recording studio to record a new pop/gospel album with an old friend, faded pop star, Gideon.
But the mix is dramatically altered by the unexpected arrival by a Bible thumping, homophobic gospel singer.
All of them are deeply connected to Gideon yet are unaware that he carries a big secret: that he plans to end his struggle with AIDS after the session.
Harmony is restored through friendship and the power of music.
Press Reviews
"The best AIDS-inspired song I’ve heard in the last fifteen years is Going It Alone which closes the first act of The Last Session. It’s a heartbreaking outcry in a heart-mending show. Jim Brochu has created a comedy-drama wrenched from deep places within himself."
— Village Voice“Very affecting.... Bright and funny.” - N.Y. Post“Funny [with] charm and power.” - N.Y. Daily News“The Last Sessionis screamingly funny, yet love is everywhere. Written from the heart, Schalchlin’s gospel tinged pop tunes exert a rare emotional pull and Brochu‘s story telling allows them to emerge realistically out of the action. Again and again, a fierce drive takes overtakes the tunes melodic strains. It’s life taking hold again - hope rising on powerful wings. Critics Choice.” - Los Angeles Times
"The script is full of biting humor [and] the music is incredible.... Guaranteed to move you both musically and emotionally. MTV Online. “Stirs every emotion in your body."
— Outlook Magazine
"The script is full of biting humor [and] the music is incredible.... Guaranteed to move you both musically and emotionally. MTV Online. “Stirs every emotion in your body."
— Outlook Magazine
Characters
| Character |
|---|
| Vicki 40s-ish, attractive female with rock voice. Is now reduced to selling Mary Kay Cosmetics. Alto/mezzo. |
| Tryshia 40s-ish African American female with soul/gospel voice. Alto/mezzo. |
| Buddy Young 20s. Baptist evangelist singer. Innocent, sincere, sexy. Tenor. Modern gospel pop voice. |
| Jim Mostly unseen. Should be the same age as the other older characters. (Ideally, a bass/guitar player). |
| Gideon 40s-ish, attractive former pop star. Has mellow soulful voice. Keyboard player.* |
Videos
THE LAST SESSION - by Jim Brochu & Steve Schalchlin
Publication
The Last Session is a comedy play written by Marie Cain and published by Concord Theatricals .
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Performance Rights
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