PETTIPLAYS

"Director James R. Carey and his cast attack their material with considerable craft and sincerity. (Alysha) Brady's bluff matter-of-factness is particularly refreshing, and (Bill) Voorhees charts his character's mental disintegration with unsettling specificity." F. Kathleen Foley, LA Times, BANSHEE  

 

"William Moore Jr.'s set design is starkly functional, and Matt Richter's lighting and Cricket S Myers' sound set just the right mood for these frequently creepy proceedings." F. Kathleen Foley, LA Times, BANSHEE 

 

"Perhaps the highlight of the acting company was USC alumni (Joe) Mahon, who wears the hats of both a screwball companion and a vigorous defender to his brother."  Ryan David McRee, Neon Tommy, BANSHEE

 

"...an amazing, sentimental thrill ride under James R. Carey's spot-on direction of this terrific ensemble. And Lynn Odell's performance is a monument to the matriarch-playing-martyr. There's also a lovely cameo by Norm Johnson as a taunting dock driver."  Steven Leigh Morris, LA Weely, BANSHEE

 

"Dalton Gray gives an impressive performance...Mr. Gray has clearly struggled with his character's depth and has successfully embodied the richness of a confidently confused young man searching for a connection." David Roberts, Theatre Reviews Limited, THE LOVE SONG OF SIDNEY J. STEIN

 

"As the elder Richard, Michael Edan snarls, snaps and sneers with abusive venom and self-pity...It is an in-depth portrait that eventually wins our sympathy and understanding. His final scenes are moving as he tries to be honest and truthful."  James F. Cotter, The Times-Herald Record, LIKE DROWNING

 

"(Joel Flowers') most emotional moment occurs when he describes his mother’s death and his guilt about not being with her at the time. His bedside presence with Richard shows his loyalty and love."  James F. Cotter, The Times-Herald Record, LIKE DROWNING

 

"Jim Pillmeier...captures (Richard's) Janus-like character perfectly as he flatters and falters in his efforts to find himself."  James F. Cotter, The Times-Herald Record, LIKE DROWNING

 

"Sarah Accarino plays the little girl Mary with total charm."  John Paul Keeler, Hudson Catskill Newspapers, ON THE EXPECTATION OF WHITE CHRISTMASES

 

"Terri Massimi was an absolute rip as the matriarch Nana, with marvelous timing to her humorous and cutting lines."  John Paul Keeler, Hudson Catskill Newspapers, ON THE EXPECTATION OF WHITE CHRISTMASES

 

"Mary Geerlof has melded her nine-member cast into an effective ensemble, with especially fine work by Robert Resnikoff and John D'Arcangelo as the hosts who debate the party's appropriateness. Dan Domingues, masquerading as a Cervantes who looks like Zorro, contributes Douglas Fairbanks-type dash to the proceedings, while Kelly Tanner goes nicely from flip to compassionate as Mario's sister."  Ron Cohen, Backstage, MASQUERADE

 

"Fred Wolinsky plays Hersh with a veritable quandry of emotions."  Carol Montana, Times Herald Record, MASQUERADE

 

"Sarah Dawson is all you could ask for as the terminably perky newcomer Millie, while Jill Carroll is perfect as her contrast, a native New York lesbian up for the same ingenue role. Joel Flowers as the musical director steals every scene he's allowed a get an underplayed line into, while Collin Warhaftig does the same by going completely over the top as gay Jay the chorus boy."  John Paine, Artzine, HINDENBURG--THE MUSICAL

 

"Ron Morehead acts with the sonority and acting gift of the Barrymores...the guilt-ridden neccessity for survival would rip the heart from a stone."  John Paul Keeler, Hudson Catskill Newspapers, ECHOES OF IRELAND

 

"Cat Barney...brings charm, humor, and yearning for her family and Ireland."  John Paul Keeler, Hudson Catskill Newspapers, ECHOES OF IRELAND

 

"Through her monologue, (Dana) Lockhart shows us a woman with a touch of sadness, brushed with a wry wit with a hint of steeliness."  Cynthia Topps, Times Herald Record, ECHOES OF IRELAND

 

"John LeFever achieved a grand simplicity as the long suffering Grandpa.  Ali Bernhardt was just right as the staggering drunk Lizzie."  John Paul Keeler, Hudson Catskill Newspapers, ON THE EXPECTATION OF WHITE CHRISTMASES

 

"Keith Van Der Molen as the neighbor, Peter, gives a gut-wrenching performance."  Carol Montana, Times Herald Record, MASQUERADE 

 

"There is a lot to like in this production, starting with the cast.  (Jim) Pillmeier's Sidney is in many ways fragile and damaged, and uses an arch, campy facade to keep the world at arm's length.  (Dalton) Gray's Dennis has a feral charm, and is a master at playing his cards close to the vest.  Since Petti has scenes which show a slightly older, more mature Dennis and a young, hustler version of Sidney, both actors have a chance to stretch a little and show completely different versions of their characters."  Byrne Harrison, Stagebuzz.com, THE LOVE SONG OF SIDNEY J. STEIN

 

"(Paul) Russo deserves kudos for the bold strokes with which he paints McCarthy.  (Daniel Munson) is given the opportunity to show the many sides of Hiss and he handles each with polished skill."  Cynthia Topps, Times Herald Record, THE GAME ROOM

 

"Sal Polichetti brings out all the humor as Rodney's--and soon everybody else's--agent." John Paine, Artzine, HINDENBURG--THE MUSICAL

 

"Most of the partygoers arrive in costume, and Dennis Ballard's designs for these fit the historical figures that are referred to as well as the individual characters who wear them. Michael Allen's set is likewise impressively rendered; the designer completely transforms the black box space into a handsome apartment, complete with kitchen."  Dan Bacalzo, Theatermania, MASQUERADE

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"Drew (Nardone')s portrayal hits the mark, displaying his competent and effective skills as a respected actor. His love and pain is out there, on display. Also very competent is Dana Lockhart, as Mrs. Riese. She’s an actor with talent who efficiently provides snippets of comic relief. Her whispers and asides are not only poignant but effective. To round out the support is a persuasive Christian Williams as the foreboding Dealer. With this beginning local theatres will, no doubt, see more of Christian."  J. A. Di Bello, Meet Me in the Greenroom blog, HEROINES

 

"...a unique and well-observed collection of  'scenes along the way,' which director (John) Sennuto has staged with utmost skill and clarity."  Clark Gesner, Independent Reviewer, EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES

 

"(Rich) Aufiero suffuses Harvey...with a needed humanity, and (Jim) Beaty gives Doc a casual likability.  Particularly impressive is (Rich) Hotaling as a man of religion truly trying to do what's right...Hotaling imbues him with a quiet believability, and an inner light.  Ellen Boswell also has some fine moments as Michael's mother, torn between husband and son."  Lance Ringel, Taconic Weekend, EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES

 

"It's easy to love the poignant, developing performance of Chili Bowles as Sidney.  The grief and heartache of having wasted his own youth as a street-walker is an emotional thread he carries ceaselessly on his expressive face."  Lisa Bennett, Las Vegas Review Journal, THE LOVE SONG OF SIDNEY J. STEIN

 

"The talented cast is what keeps this play going. Dan Domingues as the rakish Rodolfo brings energy and presence to the company. Christopher Betz playing Margaret—a tribute to children’s book author Judy Blume—don’t-ask—is consistent and heartfelt. Ryan Murray as Doug, the newly positive character, is quite good with a simple honesty and open presence... But the play belongs to Brian Linden, who as Peter the downstairs neighbor with late-stage AIDS, brings a dose of reality and powerful acting into the party when he shows up uninvited." Christopher Byrne, Gay City News, MASQUERADE

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"(B.j. Boothe) delivers the speech (about his daughter) as a convincing highlight, and (Jeff Starr) creates an extraordinary portrait in the manner and gestures of a mentally impaired person. (Nancy Briggs) finds the right balance between anger and motherly instincts." James F. Cotter, The Times Herald Record, TEN SECONDS

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"(Ron Morehead) builds to an emotional outburst that he handles believably, while (Tovah Goldfarb) as a 17-year-old looking back at the past three years is mature and readily absolved." James F. Cotter, The Times Herald Record, OR ANY OTHER REASON WHY

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"...a glassy-eyed (Kevin M. Mcdonnell) interviewing a disturbed (Brittany Pierce) who seeks to be absolved for some terrible sin... is a chilling satire on humanity that has lost its way. Both actors accurately portray the dire consequences of their plight in a world where bureaucracy rules." James F. Cotter, The Times Herald Record, ABSOLUTION

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"...this group of thespians is a powerful collection of talent and determination. Absolution features Brittany Pierce and Kevin McDonnell, two fine actors who accurately project a State versus Citizen scenario, the impersonal, bureaucratic nightmare. In 10 Seconds, the performance of Nancy Briggs is clearly a top shelf performance. Her ability to convey the emotion of the moment as well as her desire to protect an autistic, adult son, beautifully portrayed by Jeffrey Starr, provide high protein fodder for thought, while delivering pertinent points to ponder. B. J. Boothe...delivers a convincing character as the overwrought offender devastated by guilt. Tovah Goldfarb as the young girl (in Or Any Other Reason Why) has the voice and authentic verbal inflections needed to communicate the emotional contradictions of the incident. Her delivery also adds the needed little spark that provides comic relief to the dire situation. Ron Morehead gives life to the 40-year-old male’s rationalization." J. A. Di Bello, Meet Me in the Greenroom blog, ABSOLUTION--3 One-Act Plays

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"Jacqueline Dion...goes beyond, to a higher level. Maria is a do-gooder who believes in Donna’s worth as a mother and simply as a person. Jacqueline’s ability to hold the stage in this role is nothing short of dazzling and she’s a joy to witness!" J. A. Di Bello, Meet Me in the Greenroom blog, HEROINES