Little Voice

-Can I have more vocals please? -Me too.

Good? Let's run one.

Rascal, come on.

"The winner will be awarded three hours' studio time

with a professional engineer at Electric Lady Studios."

-David Bowie did "Heroes" there. -Patti Smith recorded Horses there.

-Hendrix. -Prince.

Stevie Wonder recorded Songs in the Key of Life.

You got this. Let me see that.

"One song entry per person written from the prompt 'hope.'"

-That's not bad. -I've been known to be hopeful.

Girl, you are a hope-aholic.

You are hope AF.

You gotta do this.

Crazy. I could record a song the way I hear it in my head.

When's it due?

Um...

-Tomorrow. -What?

Opportunity isn't always convenient.

You have a whole day. You've written a song in a day.

I'll help you. What rhymes with hope?

Nope.

Soap.

Dope.

Well, you're the artist.

Churros.

Come on.

All booths will be open in ten.

All performers, make your way to the stage in 20 minutes.

Send 'em back.

Terrorist dykes, go home.

- -

Prisha! Prisha!

You still on your parents' insurance?

Prish, you're gonna have to call them.

Are you in pain?

No.

Where is she? Where is my daughter?

What did they do to you?

- Where's the doctor? -It's okay.

-Where is the doctor? -It's okay. It's okay.

The doctor came. They did a CAT scan.

So-- So, who did this? What happened?

-It was these-- -Uh, two crazy racists.

Racists? Did the police catch them? Did you file a report, or--

We filed a report, but they didn't catch them.

Why would anyone want to hurt you?

Are you all right, sweetie?

This is Ananya, Mama G.

-We-- -She's in the band with me.

That's why she was there. Because she's in the band.

Ananya, do you want me to call your mother?

You don't need to call her. She's got enough she's dealing with.

Look what this country has done to our beautiful daughter.

-Mama. - Vilina, don't get upset.

The family's arrived, I see.

Wait.

You're the doctor?

I come bearing good news. Your CAT scan looks fine.

-You'll just need a few stitches. - Thank you.

Excuse me. How old are you?

-Dad. -You must be, like, uh, 22, 23.

- - He has a young face, Anil.

Oh, shit. Louie, I am so sorry. I don't know if I can come.

What happened now with Louie?

He has his first job interview.

Ju-- Just go in, Louie.

Go, Bess. Go.

It is important for Louie.

-No, no, no. I-- I don't wanna leave her. -No, don't you worry.

We will take Prisha back to our house and take care of her.

Go to your brother.

Ananya, you come too, beti.

That's okay, Mama. I think Ananya wants to go to her home and rest.

Nonsense. Bessie, go.

You're fine.

Louie, I'll be right there.

All right, bye.

I mean, you can't have graduated.

Are you still doing your internship?

Louie.

You said you were gonna come with me. You said this was a very big day for me.

But I'm here now. You look great.

She told me she was gonna be five minutes.

Now, when she asks you how you are, you say...

-I'm well, thank you. -That's right.

She doesn't need to know about every detail of my day.

No, she doesn't.

And don't forget to make eye contact. And remember, if she asks you if--

Louie.

Hi.

-How are you, Louie? -I'm well, thank you.

Would you like something to drink?

Uh, no, thanks. But I appreciate you asking.

- -

Oh...

This is she.

They were due to arrive yesterday,

but they said there had been an issue at the printers, and so I called.

Uh-huh.

Yes. Yes.

-Well, I'll call them this afternoon. - What? What, what, what?

And I'll give you an update.

You're not supposed to listen to someone on the telephone because it's private,

but how can I not listen when she's right there?

- Okay then. -It's okay.

She knows that you're here, so she doesn't mind.

Thanks, Hal.

-Uh, she's finished. -Mm.

Are we okay?

Yeah, we're okay, but I'd be more okay if my sister could stay with me.

I could sit right here. I won't say anything.

He really is a fabulous worker.

He is so reliable and so passionate about the theater.

Louie, your sister won't be with you if you work here, will she?

So, I'm gonna have to interview you alone.

Of course.

I'll be right outside.

The will call booth helps customers with ticket requests.

Do you have a ticket lottery?

Uh...

-We don't, but we do-- -I enter the lotteries every day.

Lotteries are an excellent resource

for people who can't afford to see a show with the full-price ticket.

Well, we-- we do have rush tickets available.

Rush tickets are the worst seats in the house,

and you have to wait in line all afternoon.

I would never advise anyone to purchase a rush seat.

Yeah, it is never acceptable for staff to tell customers not to buy tickets.

Dear Evan Hansen has a lottery. Have you seen Dear Evan Hansen?

-No. -Oh, really, you must. It's excellent.

The will call position--

Evan Hansen is one of the most successful shows on Broadway.

Of course, they didn't have to get over the hurdle

of a negative review in the New York Times.

Right.

Thank you for your time, Louie.

Have you thought of changing the name "will call"?

Will call was named before the telephone was invented,

when people said, "I will call on you," which meant, "I will visit you."

I think it's archaic and misleading,

and I believe it would be more historically accurate

if you changed the term to something different like "will visit."

Hey!

- This is not nourishing. - No.

What is most overcooked food in the world for 200?

-Hospital food. Of course. -Hospital food.

Let's go to the cafeteria and find something edible, huh?

I've never heard anyone speak Jeopardy! style.

I'll take ridiculous parents for one million.

No, they're great.

They might be more accepting than you think.

Well, they're not.

I know the world's changed, but they haven't.

I get it.

I mean, I don't get it, but I get it.

I came out to my parents when I was 17.

My mom blamed herself, because of course she did.

And then prayed to try to cure me.

Then threw me out of the house thinking I'd come back straight.

That was five years ago.

I can't even imagine.

I mean, damn if Mother's Day doesn't still fuck me up,

but I'm not the one that cut off ties.

They did. That's on them.

If someone really loves you,

why would they ask you to deny who you are?

Okay, I'm not defending them, but I'm sure they do love you.

It's just their generation. Their culture.

People can change if they want to.

They watch Ellen.

They love their 15th century bullshit more than their daughter. That says a lot.

-I'm sorry. -Don't be.

I made a life.

I'm not living a lie.

I'm Frank DiLella, and this is On Stage.