Reviews
The professional quality of the productions at the Depot Theatre is evident in Balmoral. It is very courageous of the Depot to open their season with a comedy of substance instead of the usual farcical fluff. Like many of Michael Frayn’s plays, it is not only very funny, but it also has something to say.
-- Connie Meng, North Country Public Radio, St. Lawrence, New York, June 2001
If you are a fan of the popular songs of World War II, Swingtime Canteen, now playing at the Depot Theatre is for you. If you’re not a fan, go see it and you will become one.
-- Connie Meng, North Country Public Radio, St. Lawrence, NY, July 2001
The Compleat Works Of Wllm Shkspr - It’s quick. It’s lively. It’s witty. The actors prove their comic timing and their versatility as they take on role after role, adapting it, having fun with it and raising laughs from their audience.
-- Michelle Ouellette, The Press Republican, Plattsburgh, NY, August 2001
With A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum composer-lyricist, Stephen Sondheim and book writers Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart have raised low comedy to new heights. In its incarnation at the Depot Theatre, director Jennifer Jones has fashioned an intricate piece of clockwork involving a stellar cast of nearly 20 actors. They strut, sprint, seethe, sound off and supplicate themselves - all the while appearing to have the time of their lives - and the Depot audience wins.
-- Fred Balzac, The Weekender Edition of Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Saranac Lake, NY, August 2001
Probably the greatest thrill along these lines for me this past summer was the Depot Theatre’s performance of The Mikado. . . there’s something about the Depot that sets it apart from the rest . . . Depot productions really are extraordinary.
-- David Clayton, “North Country Byways”, Press Republican, Plattsburgh, NY, 1983
The comic opera (The Mikado) is being staged with color and elegance (as a) highly talented troupe of actors and singers transport delighted audiences to the Gilbert and Sullivan topsy-turvy town of Titipu . . . the entire production is a display of exciting talent . . . as several members of the Sunday matinee audience were overheard saying, “The Mikado is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.”
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY, 2003
For those who like dark comedy well done, The Depot Theatre has Martin McDonagh’s The Cripple of Inishmaan . . . It features a talented cast able to grasp and convey McDonagh’s message . . . the Depot cast knows how to bring off that humor without endangering the darker sides of their characters’ personalities.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY, 2003
For the best old-time summer stock atmosphere, my favorite spot is the Depot Theatre . . . It was there that I was privileged to enjoy a really fine production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The bard does not often get a chance in our area, and it is reassuring to see a young company willing to gamble that he can still draw a crowd, which he did.
-- Bob Rose, “Encore Section”, The Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY, 1987
That energy knocked our socks off—all that with only eight days of rehearsal.
-- Anne Smith, Press Republican, Plattsburgh, NY, 1992, about the Depot’s production of Evita at the Lake Placid Center for the Performing Arts.
Dominique Plaisant pulls you into Tell Me on a Sunday with an invisible thread that’s magically fragile and surprisingly strong.
-- Anne Smith, Press Republican, Plattsburgh, NY, 1994
I’m sure I’m not the only one who left the opening night of Oklahoma! at the Depot Theatre humming . . . Rodgers and Hammerstein sure knew how to write ‘em; the Depot cast sure knows how to sing and dance ‘em; and the opening night crowd sure did enjoy ‘em.
-- Alison Calkins, Press Republican, Plattsburgh, NY 1994
Proof is an exhilarating display of writing and acting talent . . . a wise and appropriate choice with which to end a remarkable season of entertainment at the Depot Theatre.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY, 2003
The Depot Theatre’s current production of Annie Get Your Gun is spectacular in every way . . . I have seen Annie Get Your Gun many times, but I have never so thoroughly enjoyed it as I did this freshly staged, vibrant production. If Westport seems too far for you to travel, gather up your courage, aim for the Northway, and treat yourself to a rip-roaring, heart-pounding display of enthusiastic talent . . . this cast can make the least movement or word a rib-tickling moment. They find humor where I never suspected it. Annie Get Your Gun gets my vote as the best romantic comedy of the season.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY, 2003
The production of Annie Get Your Gun at the Depot Theatre is worth the trip to Westport . . . The show was directed by Jennifer Jones Cavenaugh who has put together a solid and lively production of a musical theatre classic. She’s kept her cast on the path of realism, and has struck a nice balance between that and the basic lightness of the musical form. With this show the Depot Theatre maintains its reputation for quality theatre.
-- Connie Meng, North Country Public Radio, August, 2003
Moon Over Buffalo is one of the funniest plays I’ve ever seen . . . The production is fast-paced as farce must be, the cast is completely into the demands of their roles, and the audience is thoroughly entertained . . . Put it all together and you have the perfect reason to travel to Westport. You’ll be laughing all the way home.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY, 2003
Country Western fans will find the trip to the Depot Theatre well worth it . . . Always, Patsy Cline . . . is a sparkling show from any angle . . . Everyone on the barnyard set seems to be having the greatest time, and their enthusiasm is contagious . . . The Depot Theatre’s production is a total delight.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY, 2002
Camping with Henry and Tom by Mark St. Germain is a delightful play that won a number of awards . . . Director John Christopher Jones has assembled a terrific cast. They’re all good actors who are capable of exploring the many levels of these complex characters . . . Director Jones has put it all together into a very pleasing whole. . . It’s thoughtful, interesting and entertaining. What more could you ask for?
-- Connie Meng, North Country Public Radio, 2002
Simply put, The Depot Theatre’s current production of Carousel is spectacular in every way . . . the cast of more than two dozen . . . represents impressive backgrounds in stage, film and television. And their professionalism is apparent. I have seldom seen an entire cast of this magnitude work so perfectly together through an entire show. . . Much of the production’s success comes from the unifying force exerted by Jennifer Jones Cavenaugh’s sensitive direction.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY, 2002
It’s very ambitious to do a large-cast musical like Carousel in a small theatre like the Depot, but after the well-staged “Carousel Waltz” which opens the show, I breathed a sigh of relief. They’ve managed to pull it off.
-- Connie Meng, North Country Public Radio, 2002
To begin its 26th season, the Depot Theatre is staging Neil Simon’s 1997 much-praised play, Proposals, featuring a highly accomplished professional cast . . . The Depot production . . . is cleverly and honestly staged, with each cast member fully capable of combining Simon’s wit with his warmth.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, July, 2004
Beehive continues the Depot Theatre’s enviable tradition of polished productions.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, July, 2004
The Depot Theatre has chosen a delightful hit in . . . Kiss Me, Kate . . . deftly directed by Michael Unger and smartly choreographed by Laurie Bongo. It thrives on good acting, fancy dancing and beautiful singing. . . . making this rousing production both a listening and visual feast of talent.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, August, 2004
A rare opportunity is being offered by the Depot Theatre with its superb staging of Collected Stories . . . A two-woman play, this production co-stars . . . Shami McCormick . . . and Carrie Treadwell . . . The two give sincere and polished performances. Collected Stories is a real gem in so many ways.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, September, 2004
The Depot Theatre is giving us a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Off-Broadway’s longest-running musical hit, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. If you can manage only one show this summer, you will be totally entertained by this one . . . the music is great, the laughs are non-stop, and the talent is amazing.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, July, 2005
It’s home run time at the Depot Theatre as an amazingly talented couple of actors takes us to the ballgame with Richard Dresser’s 2002 warm comedy Rounding Third. I haven’t laughed more during two hours all summer.
-- Bob Rose, The Post-Star, September, 2005
General Reviews about the Depot
Every now and then, you stumble across a gold nugget in a pan of pebbles, a valuable antique in a pile of junk. The Depot Theatre is such a find, a diamond-in-the-rough sort of stage, which is the backbone of American summer stock theatre.
-- Helen McLeod, Press Republican, Plattsburgh, NY
From a tourism standpoint, the Depot Theatre fills a very important niche in our community. Their programs provide an alternative form of activity not normally associated with the Adirondack region. The Theatre’s quality productions draw audiences from outside the county, thus making a positive contribution to the local economy. Also, the Theatre provides residents the opportunity to experience a professional theatrical production without leaving the area.
--Ronald Ofner, Director, Essex County Department of Tourism
There has been a great positive economic and cultural impact upon our community from the influence of the Depot Theatre. It brings much-needed income to our community and region through the restaurants, small businesses, and shops which are frequented by theatre-goers. Some of the summer actors and actresses have rented and bought homes in Westport. Many of our young people have has the educational advantage of special workshops and classes taught by Depot staff as well as experience in varied aspects of theatre production.
-- Donald L. McIntyre, Supervisor, Town of Westport
The Depot Theatre is one of Essex County’s most valuable treasures!
-- Caroline Rubino, Executive Director, Arts Council of the Northern Adirondacks
|
