SPEAK SOFTLY AND
CARRY A BIG SONG

Megan Carmitchel delivers a knockout
performance in Backyard Renaissance’s latest gem

Teri Brown and Daren Scott

During a recent move, I handed down dozens of DVDs. One I couldn’t part with was 1998’s Little Voice, featuring Brenda Blethyn’s exquisite performance. So, imagine my excitement—and trepidation given my esteem of the film—when I learned that Backyard Renaissance in downtown San Diego was tackling Jim Cartwright‘s 1992 play, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. I’ve been counting down the days to tonight’s performance—and it was worth the wait.

Megan Carmitchel and Francis Gercke

A young woman has earned the nickname of “Little Voice” (aka “LV”) for being so soft-spoken—when she speaks at all. While not outright agoraphobic, LV prefers to remain upstairs in her room with the record player whenever possible (Yi-Chien Lee’s excellent set design includes a large second story). It’s not that LV has an issue with going downstairs; it’s that her narcissist blowhard of a mother, Mari, is usually there. To know Mari is to want to avoid her.

Jessica John and Teri Brown

Despite financial struggles in a house that is falling apart, Mari’s priorities are partying, boozing, and landing a good man (or whomever). LV’s escape is studying the intricacies of the old records that her late father left her. By playing them relentlessly, she has absorbed and can brilliantly reproduce every nuance of performers ranging from Judy Garland to Shirley Bassey to Lulu. When a drunken Mari brings home talent agent Ray for a lusty sleepover, she is miffed that Ray is more interested in the singing from upstairs than in romance with Mari. But Ray will need to keep the mother’s affections so he has access to LV; this way, he can lure her to perform on a local stage.

Daren Scott, Francis Gercke, Teri Brown and Jessica John

How good is this show? It’s simply the best San Diego production so far in 2026. There’s so much to say, but any discussion has to start with Megan Carmitchel. This is the seventh production I’ve seen her in, but never on this scale. Her LV is absolutely unforgettable. The range, intensity, and vocal power would normally be enough for a genuine wow, but the impersonations are staggering. Time and again, she lands it and, especially with Judy, that’s no small feat. The show would lose so much if she just had a great voice without the ability to mimic; here, Carmitchel just keeps nailing it.

Megan Carmitchel and Francis Gercke

Jessica John brings an excitement, energy, and emotion to Mari that is engrossing. Eschewing an impersonation of the movie, her take is a little more pitiful than detestable compared to Ms. Blethyn, an interpretation that is no less valid. Francis Gercke, who consistently throws himself into quirky characters, drips puddles of sleaze as Ray, and it’s a pleasure to feel filthy in his presence. Layth Haddad is charming as Billy, a repairman enamored by LV’s gentle spirit; Daren Scott gets some of the best laughs as a casting director who sees himself as the next Ziegfeld; and Teri Brown is delightful as Mari’s sidekick, Sadie, who has about twelve words in the whole show—it’s not that Mari never lets her speak; expressing herself almost solely through facial expressions suits both of them perfectly.

Megan Carmitchel and Layth Haddad

One of the show’s hidden treasures is director Anthony Methvin, who is becoming one of my favorites after reliably delivering strong productions across town. Methvin’s pacing, action, and tenderness all meld gorgeously to set the tone, especially in two later scenes. Lighting designer Curtis Mueller and technical director Chad Ryan bring forth Methvin’s vision exquisitely—especially without an Old Globe budget.

Teri Brown, Megan Carmitchel and Francis Gercke

San Diego is blessed with a strong theatre scene, yet most companies have their ups and downs. Each showing at Backyard Renaissance has been a gem: The Waverly Gallery, Proof, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Dark Heart of Dooley Stevens, Beauty Queen of Leenane. The only disappointment about The Rise and Fall of Little Voice was seeing half the seats empty during such an amazing experience. We must get this company out of the backyard and into the front-and-center of people’s attention. The team of Backyard Renaissance is on fire and San Diego has to take note.

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photos by Michael Makie

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company
Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 Tenth Ave in San Diego
Thurs–Sat at 7:30; Sun at 3 (check schedule for exceptions)
ends on July 3, 2026
for tickets, call 619.337.1525 or visit Backyard Renaissance

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Megan Carmitchel