TONYA & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA:
review & MEDIA quotes from CHICAGO, NYC, BOSTON, LA, Portland
2019 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, 2018
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)
CHICAGO, Underscore Theater RUN
FEATURED In Broadway World== winner of a 2016/2017 Jeff Theater AwarD
Honored BY THE 2016/2017 '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 2016/2017
'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 2015
TONY & NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA is CHESS meets THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS in the very, very best way! Surprising, fun and effervescent. 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. 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. Just as drama-packed as the real thing. {A} must see comedy that will definitely make you laugh out loud Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera promises to capture the tragedy and comedy of what became known as the 'whack heard around the world.' You will shout with glee and love for this good-natured endlessly entertaining show 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. 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! 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. What is Tonya Harding if she’s not a diva? And what is a diva without her opera? 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. Saw this brilliant show… It's about, um, competition, wanting to be famous and perfect, everything that drives you and me! Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera made its off-Broadway debut over the weekend and scored 10s from audiences 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! 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. 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! A score in the style of Queen meets the Trans-Siberian Orchestra |
Tracy McDowell plays Tonya Harding with mischievous glee. She's spunky and on fire, with killer comic timing to match. 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. 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. Jenna Leigh Green is a great fit for fresh-faced Nancy, and is reliably graceful in both her defeats and victories. Nancy [Jenna Leigh Green],… had a very light and harmonic tone that felt almost like it should be in an opera. Liz McCartney’s dual turn as the two skaters’ moms…is the kind of mini-bombshell that’s a joy to watch. Liz McCartney plays both mothers… her quick changes and inventiveness are highlights of the show Liz McCartney, who plays both the mom of Nancy and the mom of Tonya does a phenomenal job of playing such polar opposite characters. Jeff Gillooly, Tonya's ex-husband, has a ballad which Tony LePage knocked out of the park, both vocally and emotionally. (Tony) LePage lends Gillooly a bourbon-soaked rocker voice that hurts so good. GILOOLY ROCKS THE HOUSE...As Jeff Gillooly, Tony LaPage has a rocker voice that is pure heaven 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. Heidi Friese as Oksana Baiul and others also impresses. Her voice is great, her dancing spectacular, and is a tiny little spitfire of energy. 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. Ryan J. MacConnell nailed the comedic aspect of the show and wowed with his beautiful ballet. Director David Alpert has staged a particularly enjoyable production. 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. 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. This is beautiful and perfect, and you’re just upset that you didn’t think of it first. |
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:
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Brilliant ...one of the most exciting spectacles I have ever seen... Remarkable Knee whacking as opera; this is irresistible Brilliant and touching 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. 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. Absurdly FUNNY… surprisingly POIGNANT moments amidst the comedy and a ROUSING SOUNDTRACK" 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… 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. The script, not just a comedy, delves into the drama of troubled childhoods and Harding's downward spiral, complete with a steamy sex tape. |
"Tonya' rocks the stage" 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. 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. 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. Entertaining 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. You can revel in the troubled triple-axel named Tonya. This is Tonya and Nancy like you've never seen before! |
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.
This high energy and darkly comic show takes the audience on a wild, hilarious and insightful ride. 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! |
"Tonya & Nancy The Rock Opera is Hollywood's way of celebrating…" Awesome. It was so much fun. We laughed all the way through! 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. |