Leave a Message

Reminiscent of the Fringe darling Every Brilliant Thing, this show is a very personal family story that connects with anyone who's dealt with family members who are battling mental illness. ... full review

There is such a powerful vulnerability to doing a 1 person show. Putting yourself out there alone on stage. If done well, it can be captivating in a way that most other shows aren't. Leave a Message is an excellent and engrossing show that takes its time to tell us what's going on. You get a sense of the main character's personal and family life and how important her brother is to her. As the show goes on, you start to realize the lurking darkness beneath the surface. Carsen Schroeder is fantastic, and she does a great job weaving together the complex and emotional family dynamics to make us relate to her character. ... full review

Carsen Schroeder brings us an intimate and very personal story of a young woman's struggle to stay connected to her family during a trying time in dealing with another family member's mental health issues. Carsen's effortless transitions helps move the story along. Unexpected humor eases the tension when needed. ... full review

A little jewel of a play!... full review

An impactful and personal showcase of just how nuanced family dynamics can really be! Carsen does a great job getting the audience invested in each of the characters so every time the drama hits, it lands emotionally.... full review

I enjoyed how the show flowed. I thought the writing was clever, engaging and humorous. Carsen's performance felt effortlessly and charming.... full review

Carsen Schroeder is a powerhouse performer! In 30 minutes, she delivers a roller coaster of emotions--funny, tragic, tense, back to funny, and so on. "Leave a Message" is honest and moving, and if you can catch it, it's well worth it, like a rare Pokémon. ... full review