Small Mouth Sounds
| Small Mouth Sounds | |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Written by | Bess Wohl |
| Setting | Upstate New York Present day |
| Premiere | |
| Date | March 23, 2015 |
| Place | Ars Nova (off-Broadway) |
Small Mouth Sounds is a dramatic absurdist stage play written by American playwright Bess Wohl.[1]
The play tells the story of six adults who run away from their hectic inner city life to a silent retreat in upstate New York. They then have to make peace with the silence of their own minds while trying to find ways to connect without words.
The play is unique in that there is very little dialogue and requires the actors to express their emotions and feelings physically rather than verbally.[2]
Production history
[edit]Ars Nova (2015)
[edit]The play premiered at Ars Nova, Off-Broadway in New York City on March 24, 2015. This production was directed by Rachel Chavkin.[3]
Signature Theatre (2016)
[edit]The play returned Off-Broadway the following year, opening July 13, 2016 at the Romulus Linney Courtyard Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center, with Chakvin as director and many returning cast.[4] Marcia Debonis was nominated for a Drama League Award for her performance.[5] Wohl received the John Gassner Award for Best New Play from the Outer Critics Circle Awards.[6]
National Tour (2017)
[edit]The play went on tour in 2017, opening at the Long Wharf Theatre on August 29, 2017 and continuing to play in San Francisco, Santa Monica, Dallas, Miami, and Philadelphia.[7]
Chicago (2018)
[edit]The play had its premiere production in Chicago beginning October 18, 2018 at A Red Orchid Theatre, directed by Shade Murray.[8] This production was nominated for two Jeff Awards for Best Sound Design and Best Ensemble.[9]
Broadway (2027)
[edit]The play will premiere on Broadway in 2027 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, directed by Joe Mantello. Previews are set to begin February 18, with an opening date set for March 18.[10] The production will be produced by Scott Rudin.[11]
Original casts
[edit]| Character | Ars Nova (2015) | Signature (2016) | Tour (2017) | Chicago (2018) | Broadway (2027) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judy | Sakina Jaffrey | Quincy Tyler Bernstine | Cherene Snow | Cynthia Hines | Sarah Paulson |
| Joan | Marcia Debonis | Socorro Santiago | Jennifer Engstrom | Julia Roberts | |
| Alicia | Jessica Almasy | Zoë Winters | Brenna Palughi | Heather Chrisler | Greta Lee |
| Jan | Erik Lochtefeld | Max Baker | Connor Barrett | Lawrence Grimm | Martin Freeman |
| Ned | Brad Heberlee | Ben Beckley | Levi Holloway | Paul Rudd | |
| Rodney | Babak Tafti | Edward Chin-Lyn | Travis A. Knight | Isaac Powell | |
| The Teacher / A Voice | JoJo Gonzalez | Orville Mendoza | Meighan Gerachis | ||
References
[edit]- ↑ Charles Isherwood (March 23, 2015). "Review: 'Small Mouth Sounds,' Silence at a Spiritual Spa". The New York Times. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ americantheatre.org The Silence and Noise of Small Mouth Soundsaccessed 09/07/2026
- ↑ playbill.com World Premiereaccessed 09/07/2026
- ↑ playbill.com Small Mouth Sounds to Returnaccessed 09/07/2026
- ↑ variety.com Drama League Nominees 2017retrieved September 7,2026
- ↑ variety.com Outer Critics Circle Award winnersaccessed September 7,2026
- ↑ playbill.com Small Mouth Sounds National Touraccessed 09/07/2026
- ↑ aredorchidtheatre.org Small Mouth Soundsaccessed 09/07/20226
- ↑ aroundthetownchicago.com 51st Jeff Awards Nomineesaccessed 09/07/2026
- ↑ Wild, Stephi (2026-09-08). "Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd, and More Will Lead SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS on Broadway". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- ↑ Huston, Caitlin (2026-09-08). "Scott Rudin Plans Two New Broadway Shows, Including One With Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-09-09.