In our final selection of new productions for the year, you can cozy up with some serious veteran writing (and singing!) talent, while discovering new-to-the-scene voices, running the gamut from drama and memoir to richly soundscaped horror. But wherever you land, we guarantee each of these pieces will leave you with plenty to think about. Explore all four productions below, as well as everything Audible Theater has to offer here.
In Breathe, Jodi Picoult partnered with playwright Timothy Allen McDonald and a team of some of today’s hottest musical-writing talent to deliver a truly unique production for Audible Theater. As always, Picoult proves her mastery of scoring deeply human themes and complex family dynamics to the hum of wider social issues and timely conversations. Breathe is constructed through a series of five interlinked mini-musical narratives that deftly explore uncomfortably familiar lockdown-era experiences. Drawing on both the potential of reassessing priorities in the face of crisis and the pain points of close quarters and strained relationships, each short chapter offers a glimpse into the lives of folks living through the early, uncertain months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The distinct contributions from five different songwriting teams make this listen soar, whether in a touching ballad exploring the heartbreaking reality that compulsive behaviors are ultimately futile in the face of crisis, or a dreamy, speak-sing musical staple on the creativity needed to whip up a gourmet meal when supply chain issues abound. Both in libretto and sound, these songs mirror the emotional weight of the moment. In one scene, for example, the sugary sweet rock pop of a teen television show’s theme mingles with the upbeat 8-bit techno melody of a video game to underscore the exhaustion of overwhelmed working parents struggling to tread water. When backed by stellar performances from the Broadway-credited cast and a story unafraid to explore weighty themes (be it grief or racial injustice), this is a stirring listen that serves as a valuable time capsule of an indelible epoch. —Alanna M.
In a heartfelt celebration of the show tunes that inspired him to strive toward self-acceptance, Jason Gotay crafts an electric, inspiring, and undeniably cathartic coming-of-age narrative that just might make you fall in love all over again with some of the most iconic melodies from musical theater. I especially love Where You’ll Find Me’s original ode to Stephen Sondheim’s classic song “Giants in the Sky.” In fact, I felt so moved by it, that I found myself being transported back in memory to my high school auditorium, reflecting on what our theater director had meant when he said that each time he returns to Into the Woods, he seems to identify with a different character. I may not have fully related to his relationship with Sondheim’s script at the time, but after listening to Jason Gotay deliver this poignant exploration of his own growth and transformation, I have no doubt that stories evolve alongside us, guiding us toward the truest versions of ourselves. For anyone who has ever felt more comfortable embodying a character than embracing their own unique voice, discover why Gotay believes these two acts may not be mutually exclusive after all. —Haley H.
Complicity Island
By Nick Jones
Narrated by Mandi Masden, Richard Kind, Chris Myers, Marc Kudisch, Ato Blankson-Wood, Jeremy Shamos, Alan Ruck
Complicity Island is the absurdist pandemic and #MeToo-era dark comedy I didn’t know I needed. Performed by a brilliant cast led by Mandi Masden and Ato Blankson-Wood, Nick Jones’s new play follows ambitious young playwright Ivey Viola as she reluctantly agrees to join problematic star Merlin Spooner on his private island to assist with a project he’s hoping will allow him to re-enter the limelight. Ivey quickly learns that everything on the island, including Merlin’s agenda, is as unclear and full of blurred lines as cancel culture itself. Amid the laughs and shocked gasps, this play poses challenging questions about the reality of second chances and how far one should be willing to go for success. —Caitlyn L.
As a rule, I don't do horror, but I was intrigued by the premise of this one so I went for it. After just a few minutes, I found myself absolutely hooked. (My dog is happy—she got an extra long walk out of this one-and-done listening binge!) An Audible Emerging Playwrights commission from James Fritz, this experimental piece employs audacious storytelling and sophisticated sound engineering (I have no idea how those genius audio engineers make some voices sound like they are coming from the other side of the room!) to create a horrific but also incredibly human and beautiful production. Amid the backdrop of madness and horror there's so much recognizable humanity here. Arian Moayed as the father in the story is 100 percent Nick from Gone Girl. He's guileless but untrustworthy, with that "aw shucks, who me?" quality that makes you want to both kiss him and smack him across the face. And the two women in the story are so recognizable, so sympathetic—even if their stories push the boundaries of believability—that your heart will hurt for them. My verdict: Skycraper Lullaby is both the most bizarre and compelling thing I've listened to all year. I love that this story didn’t hold back, it just went for it. And so should you. —Emily C.
