ROXANNE IN LA LA LAND

If you're starved for audio fiction featuring a unique and interesting young person, consider listening to the musings of Roxanne Donally--aspiring actress, sales clerk, and recent arrival to L.A. Narrator Stephanie Gould nails Roxanne's gawky, witty internal dialogue. Although the new-girl-in-Hollywood setup is well-worn territory, Roxanne is a true original. Her observations vary from hilarious to prescient as she bombs her acting auditions and begrudgingly embraces and thumbs her nose at high-fashion modeling as an unplanned career. Gould's performance imbues Roxanne's sardonic observations with an intonation that feels all her own. You don't have to be interested in Hollywood or modeling to enjoy hearing from this millennial who is stumbling her way into adulthood. J.T. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2021]