|
Totally Electric! Two of the unquestioned highlights of the show are ... Betsy Padamonsky as Fancy (of "Don't Let Me Down" fame) and Valerie Witherspoon as Jean-Michelle Valjean, West Lake's foreign exchange student, a staple of 80's teen movies. While both parts are small, Padamonsky (who also plays Holly Feffen) and Witherspoon display more comic and vocal talent than most shows' leads. -Broadway World 
RENT Valerie Witherspoon is a complete joy to watch as Maureen Johnson... Her spazzed-out, granola-fied version of Maureen looks like Christine Baranski on too many pop rocks... she gives a performance that looks totally effortless. Witherspoon kills on the Maureen’s one-woman performance-art piece, “Over the Moon.” - The Other Paper Valerie Witherspoon... is the perfect quirky blend of personality and powerhouse vocals needed for the role of the bisexual actor/protester Maureen. I must admit I’m not usually a fan of the “Over the Moon” segment of the show, but Valerie’s high-energy and pitch perfect vocal made me love it for the first time. And she just keeps impressing all night. Her duet with Kara Wilkinson (also a Newport transplant, who plays uptight, lesbian lawyer JoAnne) is the night’s best vocal performance. Those two ladies lay it all out on the stage for a moment that is theater gold. Your $30 ticket is paid for after that one performance. However, due to technical difficulties Whitherspoon’s solo during Seasons of Love was the best vocal no one heard - Ohio Queer Corner Valerie Witherspoon is amusingly passionate and puerile as Maureen, especially in Over the Moon, a delicious send-up of performance art and juvenile activism. - The Columbus Dispatch Valerie Witherspoon plays Maureen, the vivacious shock rock performer. Valerie’s performance is humorous and outrageous, if a little over the top at times, which can be striking in contrast to who Maureen turns out to be. She is given a character who tends to be loud, brash and insistent, but Valerie manages to find room to show some welcome glimpses of Maureen's own insecurities and frustrations. This is a character who, especially once "Over The Moon" happens, can often border on caricature, but Valerie plays her mostly to fantastic effect, with a beautiful, ringing voice and plenty of charisma. - Second Hand Prophet |
First Date
The acting is first-rate. Valerie Witherspoon is Casey, and she’s a delightfully complex post-feminist female, taking charge of the date within minutes, and then having to act carefully lest she scuttle her own chances. Mahany and Witherspoon have strong if not remarkable singing voices, and they work seamlessly with the Chorus of Figments played by Michael Coale Grey, Gabrielle Mirabella, Robert Rice, Alice Rix and Jonathan Van Dyke. -Creative Loafing Tampa Bay The sassy yet appealing Valerie Witherspoon as Casey, and the handsome, comedic, Michael Mahaney as Aaron were perfectly cast as the mismatched couple. Both were honest in their character portrayals; as well as having good, strong singing voices. -Broadway World The two characters have all the makings of typical rom-com archetypes, but Mahany’s and Witherspoon’s portrayal of the pair is appealing and convincing. Mahany embodies his nervous guy role to a tee. He is the epitome of awkward, nerdy and insecure. And Witherspoon is delightfully complex as Casey — witty, down-to-earth and unapologetically herself... Casey’s soul baring number, “Safer,” reveals the unsurprising news that she is withdrawn from relationships due to her fear of getting hurt. “I go building up walls, yet I wish to be found,” she sings. However, Witherspoon’s strong singing voice and emotional toil during the number make it engaging and relatable. - The Tampa Tribune 
|
Girls Night
Kate (Valerie Witherspoon), the boring designated driver... shatters her boring image with her outrageous behavior. The cast is solid, with each performer getting a chance to shine musically in the course of the evening.
- Atlantic City Weekly
