Nothing Remained But Voice And Bones

by Allyson Dwyer

In second grade, Narcissus visits overweight Mel and informs her that she is cursed to search for perfection but to never find it. Unable to grapple with this truth, she spends a lifetime letting this curse define every relationship, even those between her past selves. Only Mel can find a way to break out of a cycle of self-hatred that keeps her from realizing what is truly beautiful about her body and her...

In second grade, Narcissus visits overweight Mel and informs her that she is cursed to search for perfection but to never find it. Unable to grapple with this truth, she spends a lifetime letting this curse define every relationship, even those between her past selves. Only Mel can find a way to break out of a cycle of self-hatred that keeps her from realizing what is truly beautiful about her body and her existence.

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Nothing Remained But Voice And Bones

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: Nothing Remained But Voice And Bones by Allyson Dwyer
    “

    A piece of theatre that gets to the heart of our society's obsession with thinness by looking at the life of one woman from her 20s to her 70s. The way time and stage magic is used is so effective at getting us in Mel's headspace.

    A piece of theatre that gets to the heart of our society's obsession with thinness by looking at the life of one woman from her 20s to her 70s. The way time and stage magic is used is so effective at getting us in Mel's headspace.

    ”
  • Samantha Marchant: Nothing Remained But Voice And Bones by Allyson Dwyer
    “

    Dwyer's script drives at it's core from all angles and across a lifetime. All roads lead to one overwhelming, highly relatable thought. The weight of this constant self-negging is crushing and so very real.

    Dwyer's script drives at it's core from all angles and across a lifetime. All roads lead to one overwhelming, highly relatable thought. The weight of this constant self-negging is crushing and so very real.

    ”
  • Catherine Weingarten: Nothing Remained But Voice And Bones by Allyson Dwyer
    “

    This play is an honest and alarming piece about the pressure women face to look a certain way and strive after "beauty". The language feels so natural and real and the pain of the characters pulsates off the pain. This play is gorgeously written and true yet also an amazing call to action and a story that could set many of us free.

    This play is an honest and alarming piece about the pressure women face to look a certain way and strive after "beauty". The language feels so natural and real and the pain of the characters pulsates off the pain. This play is gorgeously written and true yet also an amazing call to action and a story that could set many of us free.

    ”
View all 11 recommendations

Character Information

  • MEL
    MEL as a young adult. Fleshy, chubby, not “remarkable” but sharp and outspoken.
    20s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • MELANIE
    MELANIE in middle-life. Shorter, now uncertain of herself, but still, a fighter.
    50s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • LANIE
    LANIE in her older years. Lost and confused, but stubborn in a beautiful way.
    70s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • CHRISSY
    Mel’s sister, slightly thinner than Mel
    the same kind of body sickness (also plays KAREN)
    20s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • LIAM/ALEX
    LIAM/ALEX Mel’s college boyfriend, hard to read/Melanie’s husband, overly tender
    20s-70s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • NARCISSUS/EVERYWOMAN
    NARCISSUS/EVERYWOMAN Tall, thin, perfect breasts, thigh gap, clear skin, delicate limbs, feminine voice (can probably sing), elegant at parties, photogenic, has “the thing” but isn’t aware but kind also is. (Narcissus should also play all other ensemble women who appear in the play, marked as EVERYWOMAN.)
    20s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, Theater Accident, 2022
  • Workshop, Workshop Theater, 2022
  • Reading, Clubbed Thumb, 2021

Awards

  • New American Voices
    Landing Theater Company
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • NAP Series
    Normal Avenue
    Semi-Finalist
    2020