What I liked
I came for the impressions of famous people but stayed for Carla Delaney’s quest to “find her own voice”. That phrase “find her own voice” is a cliche, except that Carla is a real-life voice-over artist with mad skills in impersonation: Betty White, Liz, Bart Simpson, as well as any character some dopey advertising director wants her to do. She can voice anything, but her problem is needs to use her strong, true voice (external and internal) to stand up for herself.
When an illness causes her to seriously consider how she deals with life, is when the story comes truly alive. She has never stood up for herself, is a black-belt people pleaser (especially within her family where she tries not to rock the boat). She NEEDS to open her mouth for her own good. The mind-body connection forces Carla to get real about how she “speaks” and she explores this new territory in a truly funny, powerful way.
Jessica Lynn Johnson (“the solo artist whisperer”) did a great job of directing Carla. She uses the whole, small stage wonderfully and inventively. The stairway up the side of the stage is transformed into a high-diving board that Carla has been forced to climb (at age 5) and tormented by a sadistic Russian coach with a bone to pick about not making the Olympic team. And Carla’s impersonation of her own respiratory tract as well as various musical instruments in a shop are truly inspired.
Oh, and Carla also has a beautiful singing voice!
What I didn't like
Nothing. Mesmerized from start to finish.
My overall impression
A real-life voice over artist who needs to speak up for herself is a great concept. And fortunately, Carla Delaney is an incredible voice artist. She is captivating from start to finish and has crafted a uinque, well-written and superbly performed solo show. A JOY TO WATCH!
Highly recommend!!
