I have to admit that there were a few sound issues when all the actors were singing together, but the popping you spoke of during the second act was nonexistant. I am not classically trained vocally, but I can tell you that Ryan Khatcheressian’s voice was not at all limited in range during the shows I saw. He has a quite impressive, powerful voice. If it cracked during the performance you saw, it was probably during a very emotional part of “Best Kept Secret,” and maybe you didn’t take that into consideration. Dan Plehal also did an excellent job as Jason, and I thought he developed some very good relationships. I enjoyed the scene with his sister, Nadia, where they discussed their “parental issues,” and I found his scene with the priest to be quite moving. You said that scene “lacked compassion and understanding.” Isn’t that what Peter’s song with the priest at the end was all about? Peter tells the priest he needed to show more empathy to Jason. That is just how the show is written, but the review sounded like it wasn’t played right. I guess I was having a hard time differentiating between the acting in the show and the show itself in your review. 

I have to admit that after seeing the show on Saturday I was looking forward to reading your review as they are usually longer than Potomac’s and more detailed. I was rather shocked to see what little was said about both Brittany Washington’s and Brian Garrison’s performances as they were both quite pivotal to the story. Brittany did an amazing job as Nadia. The part was hilariously funny, yet touching as well. There were tears in her eyes during the last verse of “Quiet Night at Home,” and I must admit that I cried along with her! Both during intermission and after the show, she was being talked about as a standout, but was barely mentioned in your review. During my second visit, I noticed people smiling just when they saw her up there at the beginning of a scene. Brian Garrison, who played his part with such emotion, both in his singing and acting, was also largely overlooked. “His [Matt's] eagerness to fit in was apparent on his face,” was pretty much his review, and he did such a great job with his part that I feel he deserved much more. He had some very funny scenes and some quite emotional ones as well.

Like I said earlier, I’m not a classically trained vocalist, and I will add that I’m not a theater critic either, but I know what I like, and I liked this enough to see it twice. Maybe you need to see it a second time too. I guess it possibly could have been an off night on Friday, but I can’t imagine such a turnaround overnight, and think that maybe you didn’t get this one quite right. All of the principal characters were in excellent voice on Saturday and Sunday, and I did not hear a crack or a missed note. I would certainly not classify them as “acceptable” or, worse yet, with a “limited vocal range.”

I saw the show this past Saturday and thought that the show was amazing. Coming into the theater, the first thing you see is a very impressive set. They really took the time to give you an authentic feeling of being in a church. I loved the stained glass windows.

The show started and I have to say I was pretty impressed with all the ensemble numbers. Sometimes sound is a problem, but that’s to be expected wherever you go. This group really had a great sound and blended well together.

In terms of the leads, I think that Jason and Peter had great chemistry together and thought that they both did an outstanding job vocally and dramtically. I really felt like I was part of their journey. Nadia was my favorite. Her character was one of the funniest and Brittany Washington did an excellent job pulling off the sarcasm, anger, and rebelliousness of the character. She has quite possibly the funniest lines in the show. I also felt for Matt as I can relate to his feelings and his acting transfered his feelings to the audience well. Ivy was played very well. I was in tears when she sang all grown up.

I just think that this was a great show with a great message performed by a wonderful cast and crew. I definitely am telling all my friends to see this one!