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| “There are no leads in HAIR per se…It’s hard to identify a musical moment in this production that is a standout because on the whole the troupe was electric. The band was rockin’. With that being said, in the role of Sheila, Emily Drennan’s interpretation of Easy to be Hard is spellbinding. Simultaneously angry and hurt, she took that number to new heights. Eat your heart out Three Dog Night.” -Garrett Stack, WMNR Fine Arts Theatre Circuit “Emily Drennan, playing Sheila, sings of one of the best-known songs from the show, ‘Good Morning Starshine’ and nearly brings down the house.” “Accomplished in the triple-threat department, these cast members sing, dance and act extremely well…Some of the most memorable songs of the musical include ‘Aquarius’, [Emily Drennan’s] ‘I Believe in Love’ and ‘Hair’.” -Joanne Greco Rochman, The Trumbull Times "Special mention should be made [of] many wonderful performances – Emily Drennan as Sheila (beautiful voice!)…This is the real thing, folks. The closest you’ll get to seeing how it was 35 years ago.” -The Hair Archives |
| "With so many songs to choose from it’s hard to pick the most memorable… Drennan’s lovely ‘Good Morning Starshine’…Their contributions are evident in Jim Dandy performances by the entire cast.” “With an attractive, gusto-filled cast of 22,…the central character Claude (Pat McRoberts) a member of a ménage a trios that includes Sheila (Emily Drennan) and Berger (Kenny Moten), …a score of 42 songs and enough simulated marijuana smoking to gas all of Bridgeport, this ‘Hair’ has enough pizzazz to win you over regardless of where you stood back in those rebellious days.” -Chesley Plemmons, News-Times “The Downtown Cabaret never ceases to surprise…Emily Drennan gives a good, strong performance as Sheila…Every once in a while, [there is] that extra measure to present a work with special panache and significance. Now add Hair, The 1967 American Tribal Love Rock Musical, to that list.” -Rosalind Friedman, Theater Circuit “As Claude, Pat McRoberts gives a strong likeable performance, but equally affecting [is] Emily Drennan…Director Julie Arenal, [the original Broadway choreographer], has encouraged the performers to express themselves, thus incorporating new work into the basic piece. But whether it is the Arenal genius, the performers themselves, or both, the result is sheer magic.” -Irene Backalenick, Connecticut Post The underwritten role of Sheila is subtly emphasized, giving the play a needed gender balance and giving some showcase songs to the deserving Emily Drennan...{Also,] "I Believe in Love" should never have been left off the original soundtrack LP." It's hard to watch this show, which eschews a common revised version and faithfully resurrects the original script, and not see flashes of Jesus Christ Superstar , The Wiz , Miss Saigon , Evita , Hairspray , Chicago , Pippin , Dreamgirls , Top Dog/Underdog , Rent , Stomp and Brooklyn all of which Hair, of course, predated. There are things which simply didn't exist in the theater, and especially on Broadway, before Hair .Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow. The Downtown Cabaret Theatre is shutting its doors, but not before it lets a little sunshine in." -Christopher Arnott, Fairfield County Weekly "Pitch-perfect humor over the vocal beat-box sound of now. I'm a Toxic fan!" - Paul Shaffer, The Late Show "Explodes with vocal pyrotechnics, rhythm and comedy… Unlike anything you’ve ever seen – or heard!" -Playbill “You guys ROCK!” -Peter Jennings, ABC Nightly News “I’m such a fan!” -Wayne Brady, ABC-TV’s Whose Line Is It Anyway? "TOXIC AUDIO weaves together harmony, improv, comedy, vocalized sound effects and eye candy to create a unique interactive stage show... DON'T MISS IT!...Most musicians perform live in the studios; the innovation of Toxic Audio, a 90-minute concert of pleasantly goofy a capella, is to bring the studio to live performance. The performers…harmonize through material that runs from Michael Jackson and Bette Midler to television theme songs. They’re a little bit glee club, a little bit rock & roll (with touches of Bobby McFerrin and that guy from Police Academy)." -Time Out New York "...they mount musical miracles!...akin to a viva voce version of the popular and now franchised, Stomp, (Toxic Audio) is poised to become as much of a sensation!" -THE VILLAGE VOICE "The off-Broadway show that "promises to leave audiences with their eyes and mouths wide open!" - Craig Brockman, Broadwayworld.com "...a truly enjoyable evening of music and laughter. I can't imagine anyone not having a satisfying time at Toxic Audio" - Nytheatre.com "You've never heard anything like this before! Toxic Audio brings its intoxic-ating vocal pyrotechnics Off-Broadway in a brand new show called Loudmouth." - Theatermania.com "They will blow you away!" - FOX 5 TV New York "Surprising, dazzling and brilliant! Toxic Audio will thrill you to the marrow!" -Roger Moore "In a class by itself! A vocal-acrobatic extravaganza That defies definition!" -The Journal News “Toxic Audio blows the roof off the John Houseman Theater! Brave, brash and breathtakingly aggressive!" -Poughkeepsie Journal "A Little bit edgy and a lot of fun... It’s the perfect show!" -Hudson Reporter Newspaper "Unlike anything I've seen in New York City theater, the surprising sound and humor of Toxic Audio make it worth experiencing. " - About.com "Wow, you've never heard anything like this before! Simply amazing!" - The Big Show with Scott & Todd/WPLJ-FM "Awesome! Really great!" - ESPN2 "Cold Pizza" "The audience hears everything from snare drums to saxophones to the basses that keep the beat, and that provide the grounding for chords that resonate through the John Houseman Theater and one’s body. All of this is heard thanks to the virtuosity of the performers’ vocalizations which are nothing short of extraordinary." - Andy Propst AmericanTheater Web "One of the best things I have seen in decades--and I don't often rave about anything. You wont believe what you hear!!! LOUDMOUTH is for all ages and really entertains. Don't miss this one!" - LouW95 at Broadwayworld.com "Beyond-solid harmonies, comedy, incredible creativity, wit, breathtaking vocal percussion, and more leave you plastered to your seat in awe until the last note is sung. GO SEE THIS SHOW! You won't be disappointed" - SuperSixOne at Broadwayworld.com "Astounding a cappella singing that will have you asking yourself, ‘how do they do that?’" - NY1's Shelley Goldberg NY1 "What a joy and what a show!!! Five creative geniuses singing without instruments, entertaining with comedy, and gifted with talent. Everyone must see this show at the John Houseman Theatre" - Claire at Broadwayworld.com "Toxic Audio must be seen to be believed!" - D. White, McDonalds "Plan to get there early and pray that you get a seat!" - The Weekly "This is the kind of family show that American audiences have been craving for years. "Toxic" entertains with incredible a cappella singing and hilarious comedy. There's something for everyone in this show...it's impossible not to enjoy and appreciate the immense talent of this group. Bravo." - Michael Andrew, Swingerhead.com "How perfectly appropriate that the a cappella vocal group Toxic Audio should end its off-Broadway show with the familiar Vicki Sue Robinson tune "Turn the Beat Around." The lyrics of the song, which beg the listener to turn the beat "upside down," were in every respect displayed in the group's show...they create a complex harmony that is wonderful to hear and spectacular to witness performed." - Matt Windman, Theaterscene.net |
"Emily Drennan is fabulous as the narrator, with a strong, sure voice that tells the
story of Joseph’s betrayal by his jealous brothers and how his faith and character
brought good out of disaster."
"The show ended on a great note as the actors gave their bows to a well-deserved
standing ovation and then reprised some of the best songs for a high-energy finale that
had everyone whooping and hollering."
"The directors collaborated to produce what will be remembered as one of Flat Rock’s
finest hours — and there have been many.
-Asheville Citizen-Times, Tim Reid
"Emily Drennan is the narrator who keeps the storyline flowing through her
explanations of events not seen on stage...She ha[s] an engaging manner and great
presence...Overall, a fine performance."
"The choreography and direction are first rate, as is the cast. It's a fast moving, but
engaging show."
-Kitty Turner, Blue Ridge Now
"Joseph" does need a real band that rocks, particularly when you've got a cast filled
with strong voices. Narrator Emily Drennan, Ben Hope as Joseph and Mark Warwick
as Elvis Presley -- er, Pharaoh -- are among the many capable, likable Flat Rock
players who deserve better underscoring."
-Charlotte Observer, Julie York Coppens
story of Joseph’s betrayal by his jealous brothers and how his faith and character
brought good out of disaster."
"The show ended on a great note as the actors gave their bows to a well-deserved
standing ovation and then reprised some of the best songs for a high-energy finale that
had everyone whooping and hollering."
"The directors collaborated to produce what will be remembered as one of Flat Rock’s
finest hours — and there have been many.
-Asheville Citizen-Times, Tim Reid
"Emily Drennan is the narrator who keeps the storyline flowing through her
explanations of events not seen on stage...She ha[s] an engaging manner and great
presence...Overall, a fine performance."
"The choreography and direction are first rate, as is the cast. It's a fast moving, but
engaging show."
-Kitty Turner, Blue Ridge Now
"Joseph" does need a real band that rocks, particularly when you've got a cast filled
with strong voices. Narrator Emily Drennan, Ben Hope as Joseph and Mark Warwick
as Elvis Presley -- er, Pharaoh -- are among the many capable, likable Flat Rock
players who deserve better underscoring."
-Charlotte Observer, Julie York Coppens
"Seventy-five years old and forever young, The Radio City
Christmas Spectacular came flying into that Midtown Art Deco
cathedral of entertainment on Tuesday night and went out a
Superspectacular.
For its diamond-anniversary incarnation,... the grand old show
has been made over, from terpsichore to technology, kicking and
singing into the 21st century while retaining and refining the glories
of the 20th.
[There is even] time for a grand finale that provides the
Rockettes and the rest of the cast an opportunity, after
three-quarters of a century, to take the most well earned of bows."
-Lawrence Van Gelder, NY Times
"We must confess that [The Radio City Christmas Spectacular]
is easily the most handsome, lavishly produced edition of the revue
in years. In honor of reaching its 75th anniversary, its producers
have truly gone the extra mile in exceeding expectations...There is
also a newfound respect for Radio City's history. A short film
narrated by Tony Bennett on the huge L.E.D. screen brings back
memories of not only Radio City in its prime, but of how the place
was nearly shut down in the 1970s. Radio City, after all, is more
than just a theater; it is an entertainment palace covered in art
deco grandeur."
-Matt Windman, amNY Theatre
"The 75th Radio City Christmas Spectacular (is) as entertaining
a 90 minutes as you're likely to find anywhere in the Big Apple.
Indeed, the show is so fast-paced that audience members are
barely allowed a second to catch their collective breath. The
Rockettes aside, this extravaganza is also chock-a-block with
singers, dancers, and even ice skaters, all of whom cavort on
gorgeously-colored sets and wearing eye-popping costumes...that
truly epitomizes the glamour that is Radio City."
-Brian Lipton, theatremania.com
Christmas Spectacular came flying into that Midtown Art Deco
cathedral of entertainment on Tuesday night and went out a
Superspectacular.
For its diamond-anniversary incarnation,... the grand old show
has been made over, from terpsichore to technology, kicking and
singing into the 21st century while retaining and refining the glories
of the 20th.
[There is even] time for a grand finale that provides the
Rockettes and the rest of the cast an opportunity, after
three-quarters of a century, to take the most well earned of bows."
-Lawrence Van Gelder, NY Times
"We must confess that [The Radio City Christmas Spectacular]
is easily the most handsome, lavishly produced edition of the revue
in years. In honor of reaching its 75th anniversary, its producers
have truly gone the extra mile in exceeding expectations...There is
also a newfound respect for Radio City's history. A short film
narrated by Tony Bennett on the huge L.E.D. screen brings back
memories of not only Radio City in its prime, but of how the place
was nearly shut down in the 1970s. Radio City, after all, is more
than just a theater; it is an entertainment palace covered in art
deco grandeur."
-Matt Windman, amNY Theatre
"The 75th Radio City Christmas Spectacular (is) as entertaining
a 90 minutes as you're likely to find anywhere in the Big Apple.
Indeed, the show is so fast-paced that audience members are
barely allowed a second to catch their collective breath. The
Rockettes aside, this extravaganza is also chock-a-block with
singers, dancers, and even ice skaters, all of whom cavort on
gorgeously-colored sets and wearing eye-popping costumes...that
truly epitomizes the glamour that is Radio City."
-Brian Lipton, theatremania.com
THE NUMBERS (NY TIMES):
220 Performances this season
150 Cast members, including 80 Rockettes; 36 perform per show
40 Orchestra members; 61 Stagehands
5 Elevator operators
1,200 Costumes
78 seconds Length of shortest costume change
25 per show Dressers to help with costume changes
Upward of 350 Weekly loads of laundry
3,000 Swarovski crystals on each Rockette costume in the grand finale
220 Performances this season
150 Cast members, including 80 Rockettes; 36 perform per show
40 Orchestra members; 61 Stagehands
5 Elevator operators
1,200 Costumes
78 seconds Length of shortest costume change
25 per show Dressers to help with costume changes
Upward of 350 Weekly loads of laundry
3,000 Swarovski crystals on each Rockette costume in the grand finale
1 Double Decker Bus
18,000 Crystals on the 35-foot-high Christmas tree hung from the
lobby ceiling
22 Hours it took to install the $1 Million tree
800 Hours to install new stage flooring
110 Gallons of soap and water used per show to make snow
3 million LED lights on the 90-foot-by-40-foot backdrop, billed as
the world’s largest flying screen
41,000 pounds Weight of screen
18,000 Crystals on the 35-foot-high Christmas tree hung from the
lobby ceiling
22 Hours it took to install the $1 Million tree
800 Hours to install new stage flooring
110 Gallons of soap and water used per show to make snow
3 million LED lights on the 90-foot-by-40-foot backdrop, billed as
the world’s largest flying screen
41,000 pounds Weight of screen