TONYA & NANCY the Rock Opera
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TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA:
​review & MEDIA  quotes  from  CHICAGO, NYC, BOSTON, LA, Portland
"Who   could   forget   the   biggest   Olympic   ic e   skating   controversy   of   all   time? 
This   critically   acclaimed   musical   from   Elizabeth   Searle   an d   Michael   Teoli   takes   on   that   epic   scandal   with   a   blend   of   dark   comedy   and   surprising   depth. Protect   your   knees!"  - Jack   Smart,   BACKSTAGE

Broadway World announces production starring Andrea McArdle
NYC   event   Photo  Features  in  PLAYBILL  &  Broadway World

Coverage  on  ABC  primetime  TV &
coverage  in  the   NYT  &
coverage  on  wbz- radio, boston (CBS)

"Before  there  was  the  new  Tonya  Harding  biopic   I, Tonya,   there  was  Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera, 
an   uproarious   musical”  Broadway.com
CD   Review  in  BROADWAY WORLD excerpts:
"TONYA & NANCY  GET  HIGH   MARKS... 
Searle  and  Teoli  have  some  serious  musical  chops: the  music  is  driving  and  distinctive.. Searle   expertly uses  specific  language  to  HIGHLIGHT  that  Tonya and nancy  are  two  sides  of  the  same  coin...Tonya and Nancy   hits  nearly  all  its "components" marks: transitions, skills, composition (as in structure), musical interpretation, and  performance...:
Worsham & Spencer  are  utterly  magnetic  as  characters  we  think  we  already  know...THE SCORE  HAS  MOMENTS  OF  PURE BRILLIANCE."

CD  REVIEW  IN  'BROADWAY  TO  VEGAS'- Excerpts:
Every  part  of  this  recording  is  deliciously  entertaining. ..fresh, clever, entertaining, funny
and topical….The  lyrics  are  insightful, and sad…The  script  covers  a  lot  of territory  and  does  so
with  the  artistic   skill  o f  an  Olympic   champion….The  expert  musical  compositions  and  in  between
commentary  results  in  the  listener  having  a  better  understanding  and  compassion  for  both
skaters….The  CD  is  stunningly  awesome.


Reviews   from    productions  in   major  cities
"Brilliant  And  Touching"( Portland  Mercury); "Brilliant" (WGBH  Boston);      "Just  as   Drama -packed   as  the  real  thing " (people.com)   "THIS  IS  BEAUTIFUL  &  PERFECT  &  YOU'RE  JUST  UPSET  YOU  DIDN'T  THINK OF  IT  FIRST"MEDIAITE;  "Darkly  Comedic"  (New York Times)
2020  Theatre Zone  production 
starring   broadway's   andrea mcardle

Featured   in  two  articles  in   broadway  World,   on  abc  channel  7  interview-
reviewed   in   naples  daily  news  as:  "a  joyous  theater  package.. Brilliant  idea...exemplary  show...
watching a scandal unfold   never  felt  so  good."


CHICAGO,  Underscore  Theater  RUN  
FEATURED In  Broadway World== winner of a 2016/2017 Jeff Theater AwarD

Honored   BY  THE  'JEFF AWARDS'-
Selected  by  'New  City Stages'  as  one  of  the
Top  five  musicals  of  Year
-


media  Coverage  included: Broadway  World  (photo flash- feature), chicago  Tribune,  Showbiz  Chicago,  Chicago  Magazine, Perform.ink,   Channel 9 Chicago,  new city,  windy city times, grab magazine, time out chicago - Two Jeff Theater Award nominations; winner of Best supporting actress (veronica garza)

REVIEW  QUOTES:  CHICAGO
'A   VIBRANT   RE-TELLING  OF AN   HISTORIC   EVENT THAT  SHOCKED  THE  WORLD... Brilliant''
-THEATRE  WORLD


'TONYA & NANCY' LANDS A TRIPLE AXEL!
-PERFORM.INK

"A  CUTTING  COMEDY  ABOUT  THE  OLYMPIC  SCANDAL"
-CHICAGO TRIBUNE   (THEATER  LOOP)


'HILARIOUS!'
-PLAYLIST-HQ

“THE  PLAY  RADIATES  LIKE  STROBE  LIGHT  HITTING  A  DISCO BALL…Tonya & Nancy’ relates a  cautionary  tale  of  ambition,  manipulation, competition  and  the  appalling  way  men  and  women  treat  girls.”
- NEW CITY

'BOTH  AMANDA   HOVARTH  AND  COURTNEY MACK ARE  EXCELLENT.  FUNNY,  SMART  AND  STRONG  SINGERS  TO  BOOT"
CHICAGO TRIBUNE

“Director/Choreographer  Jon Martinez  lands  a  triple axel…skates  the  line  between  drama  and  comedy.”
Perform.ink

"Deliciously  salacious"
Chicago  Magazine


"Veronica  Garza   Hilarious  and   Disarming -Top Pick: Tabloid/Reality TV Lovers”
PICTURETHISPOST.COM 

“And  there  is  a  FUNNY  and  quite  PROFOUND  comic  turn  by  the  very  capable  VERONICA  GARZA”
Chicago Tribune

“I  HAD  A  LOT  OF  FUN- AMANDA  HORVATH  plays  Tonya  to  perfection...COURTNEY  MACK  IS  AN  EQUALLY  GOOD  CHOICE  TO  PLAY  NANCY...VERONICA  GARZA,  WHO  PLAYS  BOTH  MOTHERS  STOLE  THE  SHOW-- KUDOS  TO  UNDERSCORE  [THEATER]"
AROUND  THE  TOWN


“Amanda  HorvatH  not  only  has  made  herself  a  Tonya look-alike, but  belts  out  every  song  with  fire…It  is  a  stroke  of brilliance  to  have  the  mothers  of  both  women  played  by  the same  actress,  and  Garza  is  a  persona-shifting  hoot…[JUSTIN] Adair  uses  his  sensational  voice, guitar-playing skills  and dance  moves  to  give  us  a  sly “interior” portrait  of  Gillooly that  is  downright  Brechtian  in  its  contradictions.”
Chicago  Sun Times

“A  FUNNY, SAVVY, SKILLFUL  &   ENJOYABLE  ROMP…THE  MUSIC  WAS  CATCHY, THE  COSTUMES DIVINE, THE  DIVAS  SINGING  FIRST RATE  &  THE  DANCING  HIGH  QUALITY…IN  A  STROKE  OF ABSOLUTE  BRILLIANCE,  BOTH   MOMS  ARE  PLAYED  BY  THE  SAME  ACTOR…A LOT OF FUN!”
SPLASH   MAGAZINE, LA


"The  sheer  energy  and  manic   pace   captures   rock   fans   and   those   who   love   parody   into   an   infectious   romp. "
-CHICAGO CRITIC


"DRIVING   ENERGY...DELICIOUS'
-CHICAGO SUN TIMES

“A  fabulously  weird  and  legitimately  experimental  musical  presented  in  a  time  when  they're  too  hard  to  come  by.” CHICAGO   READER


“A  ROCK SCORE  TO  BE  REMEMBERED"
-Picture this Post.com


nymf 

Links:

BackStage, Boston Herald, BroadwayBox, Broadway World, CurtainUp, IFS Magazine, Mediaite, New York Daily News, People, Playbill,  Shubert Alley Cat, The Knockturnal, The Telegraph, TheaterMania  
TONY & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA is CHESS meets THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS in the very, very best way! Surprising, fun and effervescent.
- Pat Cerasaro, Senior Editor at BroadwayWorld
This story was always meant to be a rock opera… it packs in a tremendous amount of song, dance, and laughs. Don't miss it.
- Zachary Stewart, TheaterMania 
Musical theater fans should enjoy the show, which features catchy tunes and moves quickly... There is never a moment to catch your breath, much less feel bored.
- Alina Adams, IFS Magazine
Just as drama-packed as the real thing.
- People.com
{A} must see comedy that will definitely make you laugh out loud
- Vinesh Vora, The Knockturnal
Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera promises to capture the tragedy and comedy of what became known as the 'whack heard around the world.'
- Rob Crilly, The Telegraph
You will shout with glee and love for this good-natured endlessly entertaining show
- Letters from the Mezzanine 
The musical numbers are adrenaline-charged…This war of the skates might wing its way to another New York stage in the future. One can only hope.
- Deirdre Donovan, CurtainUp 
Who could forget the biggest Olympic ice skating controversy of all time? This critically acclaimed musical from Elizabeth Searle and Michael Teoli takes on that epic scandal with a blend of dark comedy and surprising depth. Protect your knees!
- Jack Smart, BACKSTAGE
TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA was incredible! The lyrics, the music, the costumes, the actors, the sheer energy of the show! And while yes, it was campy and funny, every character also had a heartfelt moment in which to shine, making the show touching and poignant as well.
- Leslea Newman, author of Heather Has Two Mommies and A Letter to Harvey Milk
What is Tonya Harding if she’s not a diva? And what is a diva without her opera?
- Jamie Frevele, MEDIAITE 
Tonya and Nancy: The Rock Opera has become a highlight of the summer festival, and it’s easy to see why: it’s gloriously camp and relentlessly energetic with a scandalously good cast bringing home the gold.
- Letters From The Mezzanine 
Saw this brilliant show… It's about, um, competition, wanting to be famous and perfect, everything that drives you and me!
- Donna Minkowitz, author of Growing Up Golem & Ferocious Romance (LAMBDA winner)
Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera made its off-Broadway debut over the weekend and scored 10s from audiences
- Gayle Fee, Boston Herald
I enjoyed this show so much… The songs were fun and catchy-- IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED… The Broadway-caliber cast all gave great performances…definitely try to check this out! 
- SCHUBERT ALLEY CAT
It's a musical based on the infamous Olympic "knee whack" scandal so you know OITNB's two baddest badasses would be there to watch it go down. 
- Josh Ferri, BroadwayBox
Any junkies for ice-skating scandals are going to be excited to hear that this is a thing — the saga of Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding is being turned into the rock opera it deserves...That is insane and wonderful and it’s about damn time it willed its way into existence!
- Jamie Frevele, MEDIAITE 
A score in the style of Queen meets the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- New York Daily News
Tracy McDowell plays Tonya Harding with mischievous glee. She's spunky and on fire, with killer comic timing to match.
- Mateo Moreno, The Artswire Weekly
Tracy McDowell was sensational…McDowell discovered a wonderful demeanor that made Tonya a grand character…Having Liz McCartney expertly play both Nancy and Tonya's mom was hilarious.
- Michael Block, Theater in the Now
TONYA & NANCY is a HIT!……Both Tracy McDowell as Tonya Harding and Jenna Leigh Green as Nancy Kerrigan performed their hearts out on the stage and really sold their characters....[T]he writing by Elizabeth Searle was spot on.
 - Vinesh Vora, The Knockturnal
Jenna Leigh Green is a great fit for fresh-faced Nancy, and is reliably graceful in both her defeats and victories.
- Letters From The Mezzanine 
Nancy [Jenna Leigh Green],… had a very light and harmonic tone that felt almost like it should be in an opera.
- Vinesh Vora, TheKnockturnal
Liz McCartney’s dual turn as the two skaters’ moms…is the kind of mini-bombshell that’s a joy to watch.
- Laura Collins-Hughes, The New York Times
Liz McCartney plays both mothers… her quick changes and inventiveness are highlights of the show
- Letters From The Mezzanine
Liz McCartney, who plays both the mom of Nancy and the mom of Tonya does a phenomenal job of playing such polar opposite characters.
- Vinesh Vora, TheKnockturnal
Jeff Gillooly, Tonya's ex-husband, has a ballad which Tony LePage knocked out of the park, both vocally and emotionally.
- Alina Adams, IFS Magazine
(Tony) LePage lends Gillooly a bourbon-soaked rocker voice that hurts so good.
- Zachary Stewart, TheaterMania 
GILOOLY ROCKS THE HOUSE...As Jeff Gillooly, Tony LaPage has a rocker voice that is pure heaven
- Suzanna Bowling, Times Square Chronicle
Tony Lepage is also a kick to watch as Jeff Gillooly. His vocals are tremendous and the scenes between he and Tonya are some of the best in the show.
- Mateo Moreno, The Artswire Weekly

Heidi Friese as Oksana Baiul and others also impresses. Her voice is great, her dancing spectacular, and is a tiny little spitfire of energy.
- Mateo Moreno, The Artswire Weekly
Heidi Friese not only was a brilliant dancer as well, she was a dead-on wringer for Ukrainian ice princess Oksana Baiul. Almost terrifyingly so.
- Michael Block, Theater In The Now
Ryan J. MacConnell nailed the comedic aspect of the show and wowed with his beautiful ballet.
- Michael Block, Theater In The Now
Director David Alpert has staged a particularly enjoyable production. 
- Zachary Stewart, TheaterMania 
Elizabeth Searle's book and lyrics, and Michael Teoli's music, are full of grit and spirit…This musical scratches beneath the glitz of ice-skating competitions and sharply reveals the darker side of the American Dream.
- Deirdre Donovan, CurtainUp
How do you (ice)skate on stage? Choreographer Marc Kimelman did a magnificent job at discovering just how. His use of ballet was simply stunning.
- Michael Block, Theater In The Now 
This is beautiful and perfect, and you’re just upset that you didn’t think of it first.
- Jamie Frevele, MEDIAITE

nymf    -media & more

TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA at NYMF has drawn national and international media, including in PEOPLE.com, The Nation, the New York Daily News, the UK Telegraph, NYC radio 1010WINS, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Playbill, AFP in France and Asia, The Times in South Africa, music.au in Austrailia, Broadway World, Theater Mania, Pardon The Interruption on MSNBC; The Edge, The New York Times and Hollywood Reporter. Ken Davenport's Producer's Perspective blog listed the show as one of five 'that stand out' at NYMF and PLAYBILL sited it as one of the 'Top Ten Shows to See'.  Broadway World spotlighted it as a PhotoFlash feature; Best of Off Broadway listed it as a Best of Fest.

"TONYA and NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA, written by the amazingly talented Elizabeth Searle, with music by Michael Teoli, is a must-see! Anyone who has ever felt like an outsider (and who hasn't?) will be moved by this story."

- Leslea Newman, author of HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES

BOSTON  &  PORTLAND

Links:

Art Sake, Boston.com, Dig Boston, Stuff Boston, WGBH
Brilliant ...one of the most exciting spectacles I have ever seen... Remarkable
- Steve Almond, WGBH Boston
Knee whacking as opera; this is irresistible
- Bill Littlefield, NPR
Brilliant and touching
- Portland Mercury
An explosive cabaret of over-the-top rock tunes sung with operatic glass-shattering intensity and accompanied by off-the-wall dance numbers...The storyline's so melodramatic, duplicitous, and droll, it's downright epic.  This story's got it all: action, intrigue, ambition, betrayal.  It's practically Shakespeare on ice. I'll never look at rock 'n' roll, theatre, or figure skating the same way again.
- Will Barry, The Noise
Tonya & Nancy' Rock Opera A Real Knee Slapper… Undeniably entertaining… It's like "Black Swan" on ice… Happily, Elizabeth Searle and Michael Teoli's rock opera lives up to the madness… Director Janet Roston has found some fantastic performers to carry it off, particularly Kristen Lee Sergeant and Darcie Champagne in the lead rolls… You feel for Nancy and yes, even Tonya, almost as much as you laugh at them… When Tonya & Nancy lands a moment… it's like watching a skater land that perfect triple Lutz.
- Boston Herald
Absurdly FUNNY… surprisingly POIGNANT moments amidst the comedy and a ROUSING SOUNDTRACK"
- Boston Phoenix (also printed in Weekly Digg)
The psychic debris! The battered knee! The rocking and rolling senstation TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA is trash-tastic!… The show possesses AN INSANE ENERGY…
- EDGE OnTheNet, Boston, July 20, 2011
Both Tonya and Nancy skate on hilariously thin ice in Elizabeth Searle's quirky rock musical... The Searle/Teoli rock opera has show-stopping numbers...There is something new under the sun.
- Theater Mirror; Boston (reviewing Tonya & Nancy Song Showcase at Boston Cabaret)
The script, not just a comedy, delves into the drama of troubled childhoods and Harding's downward spiral, complete with a steamy sex tape.
- GOOD MORNING AMERICA 
"Tonya' rocks the stage"
- Portland Oregonian
Glitter, spandex and rock anthems… Searle and Director Janet Roston don't just play the story for laughs; both Tonya and Nancy are portrayed as somewhat sympathetic… Kristen Lee Sergent is the spitting image of Kerrigan, and petite Darcie Champagne comes pretty close to Harding… Sergeant boasts a sweet, operatic soprano with a lot of power up top, and Chanpagne, also a fine singer, belts out Tonya's music with accuracy and energy.
- IceNetwork.com (national figure skating website)
Michael Teoli and Elizabeth Searle have done what any smart writer does when dealing with truth that is stranger than fiction: write a rock opera about it.
- BostonMetro.com
A stunning visual and sonic experience, a riveting hour-long motion poem and roller coaster ride into American hyperculture: The Kerrigan-Harding Affair we all witnesed, but this time with all the masks peeled back. Bravura performances… and the Ensemble that never missed a beat. Like all great art and artists, they make it look easy… Tonya & Nancy: the Rock Opera is such a gift of geace. Like all good theater, it suspends time and plays out a cautionary tale makes us wiser for witnessing it.
- Richard Cambridge, audio review on ArtSake (Mass. Cultural Council blog)
Entertaining
- Stuff Magazine, Boston
SEX AND SPORTS AND ROCK N' ROLL… About the only thing that could have made the 1994 Olympics any more tailor-made for the media would have been a classic rock soundtrack. Now it has one.
- Bostonevents.com
You can revel in the troubled triple-axel named Tonya.  This is Tonya and Nancy like you've never seen before!
- CNN

Los Angeles

Media coverage for the 2014 LA production of the Rock Opera includes feature articles on MSN, NewsOXY (ranked a 'Most Popular" article) BroadwayWorld/LA, Deathandtaxes.com, LAStageTimes and PerformingArtsLive (selected as a Featured Event of the Week); mention in LA Times and TimeOut/LA; piece in Boston Herald 'InsideTrack' and an interview feature on The Sheena Metal Experience Show on LA Talk Radio. 

lINKS:

Broadway World (benefit), Broadway World (2nd date), L.A. Stage Times, NewsOxy, Oregon Live, Performing Arts Live, The Boston Herald, The Inquisitr 
This high energy and darkly comic show takes the audience on a wild, hilarious and insightful ride.
- PerformingArtsLive.com
Tonya & Nancy: the Rock Opera is a Black Swan song with amps of AC/DC intensity and triple Axl (Rose) bravado! A fantastic humanization of figure skating’s disgraced goddesses that resurrects their infamy into an endearing gladiator pit of high theatrical art. Extremely energetic and memorable!
- Eugenio Volpe; MeBeingBrand.com
"Tonya & Nancy The Rock Opera is Hollywood's way of celebrating…" 
- NewsOXY

Awesome.  It was so much fun.  We laughed all the way through!
- Kim Matula, star of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
Love it…Isn't it interesting to take something like opera that we consider as so classic and mix it with a tabloid drama?…There's something about this story that's really Shakespearian…Awesome. 
- SHEENA METAL-- 
The Sheena Metal Experience on 
LA Talk Radio
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