"Congratulations are in order.  A bouncing Baby has arrived at Blackfriars Theatre, and the delivery was right on time.....  Baby is a joyous musical with a strong heartbeat, show-stopping numbers and an ensemble cast that gives the 23-year-old production new life and immediacy......  As a young mother to be, Teska sparkles with rebellious independence and proves to be a gem of a performer in her solo number, "The Story Goes On."  Caito is a real find as her rock-star partner, Danny, who starts out footloose and fancy-free but delivers the finest performance of the evening in a moving rendition of "I Choose Right.".......  As parent wannabes, Beckwith and Mayville demonstrate their frustration and helplessness with sincere performances.  They are a joy to watch and each scored a vocal hit: Beckwith in "I Want It All" and Mayville in "The Fatherhood Blues.".......  Pass out the cigars, All that's missing is a birth announcement that reads: Baby is truly a bundle of joy."

2005 Arts Awards

Blackfriars Theatre receives the 2005 Cultural Organization Award from the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester.
"Blackfriars Theatre is a Rochester Treasure, whose mission since its inception 55 years ago as the Catholic Theatre of Rochester has been to provide the best possible environment for actors and actresses, theater artists, and technicians who have chosen to make the city their home.  Then company has always maintained an open auditions policy to encourage participation from all facets of the community.  It has served as a showcase for playwrights, actors, and technicians, a number of whom have gone on to work in regional theater, Off-Broadway, Broadway, television, and film."

Great Expectations

"Great Expectations by Robert Johanson brings Charles Dickens' rambling novel to the stage with surprisingly vivid understanding. And in an evident labor of love, John Haldoupis directs and designs it to play briskly and movingly.
The Blackfriars production is the farewell performance of octogenarian Elaine Good, a highly regarded Rochester actor who is moving to be nearer family. In the iconic role of Miss Havisham, the rich old spinster we see in her decaying wedding dress among the remains of her aborted wedding banquet, Ms. Good is ideally cast and gives an unforgettable performance.
But Miss Havisham is no more the center of the novel than the equally boldly drawn character of Abel Magwitch, a huge, menacing convict who also affects the life of Pip, the character with the mysterious "great expectations." Unrecognizable in the getup and accent of Magwitch, Blackfriars regular Ken Klamm is also memorable and perfectly cast.
The most difficult role, however, is Pip, who undergoes the most changes in situation and stature and also narrates. Benjamin C. Wilson rises to the role's challenges admirably. His delivery of Pip's emotionally inspired final speech clearly moved the opening night audience."

Herbert M. Simpson
theater reviewer
City newsweekly, Mar. 9, 2005

Rags

"Haldoupis has designed complex sets that avoid the stagy and pretty: They're so flavorful, they even seem to emit the odor of Manhattan's lower East Side." 

"Cara D'Emanuele brings not only first-rate musical direction to the production, but acts the lead role of Rebecca with charm and power, and sings it superbly, in a strong beautiful soprano."

". . . no one within a radius of hundreds of miles is going to perform Rags better."

Herbert M. Simpson
theater reviewer
City newsweekly, May 7-13, 2003

Dirty Blonde

BEST WAY TO FEEL SMART ...

Attending local theater

for more listings of the best of Greater Rochester see: http://www.rochester-citynews.com/

City Newspaper  Oct. 30, 2002

Floyd Collins

"Dear Cast.

I’m an actor (currently involved with Geva Theatre [Rochester's regional professional theater] and their production of Convenience) who is a HUGE fan of Floyd Collins, and when I found out that there was a production happening here in Rochester, I knew I had to see it! What a smart decision that was!

Having seen quite a few major mountings of this difficult show, I can honestly say that yours is the one I’ve enjoyed the most! The intimacy of your theatre allowed all of your voices to tell the story with a clarity and focus that was an absolute joy to witness, and the heart and soul each actor brought onto that stage outshined anything I’ve seen on a NYC stage in quite a while!

You all deserve a "Tony" of your own for a beautiful, honest, and technically gifted performance of this amazingly complex show!

Congratulations!"

Note from a Patron 5/3/02

"Not only was it ambitious of Blackfriars to attempt the offbeat, difficult musical Floyd Collins, but the company achieved what may be its finest work to date in performing it. ........  The two duets in the cave between Jens WL Hinrichsen's Floyd and Billy Powell's Homer, Floyd's brother, are virtual arias.   Hinrichsen and Powell would no doubt win regional theater awards with those duets as a competition entry.  ......  Hinrichsen, Powell and DeMetsenare play with such emotional force and charm that I'd almost want to spend time with their characters." 

Herbert M. Simpson
theater reviewer
City newsweekly, May 8-14, 2002

Over the River and Through the Woods

"Warm comedy reveals a family's foibles ...a very funny and touching play... The writing and acting make the experience as warm as Grandma keeps her house.  ...The things that drive people crazy about their relatives can be endearing to outsiders.  And so it is with this play, and this cast that blends so perfectly, with exquisite comic timing.   By the time the play ends, it's hard to believe you're not home.

Mark Liu
theater reviewer
Democrat and Chronicle, Dec. 7, 2001

Sleuth

"If you like playing detective, you might enjoy Anthony Shaffer's Tony Award-winning play, Sleuth, a leisurely paced thriller at Blackfriars Theatre. ... stripped of artifice, Sleuth totally depends on the chemistry between two actors who have to chew on the dialogue and each other.  Jim Scholes stars as Andrew and Peter J. Doyle stars as Milo, and they clearly delight in their naughtiness and manage to do a good job in developing their fascinating, quirky characters."

Marcia Morphy
theater reviewer
Democrat and Chronicle, Oct. 11, 2000

The Mineola Twins

"...As Myrna and Myra, Susan Hopkins ought to go schizophrenic after making so many changes in her dead-on contrasting twins for nine performances.  Amy Smith is an attractive Sarah and is truly funny as the frustrated Jim.  Toni Attardo creates such nicely diverse but equally appealing young men she may become a favorite for all sorts of enthusiasts.  And Adam Petzold and Marc Raco, the two male actors who are props without dialogue, do get to entertain us with comic pantomime dances, cleverly choreographed by Meggins Kelly to connect the scenes."

Herbert M. Simpson
theater reviewer
City newsweekly, July 26 - August 1, 2000

Side Show

"...The action and stage-effects are consistently grabbing....Along with the spirited performances, John Haldoupis's designs are the show's strength....this is a lively show about showbiz... a little exotic, but with a human appeal of its own."

Herbert M. Simpson
theater reviewer
City newsweekly, May 17-23, 2000

Hotel Suite

"...comedy at its best - with snappy one-liners, wacky characters, and happy endings - all within the comfortable hotel quarters of "Plaza Suite," "California Suite" and "London Suite."... Much credit is due to the clever direction of Blackfriars artistic director John Haldoupis, and the fine cast of talented actors who add some nice unconventional touches to the funny-tough-sad-warm characters they portray."

Marcia Morphy
theater reviewer
Messenger Post Newspapers Nov. 30, 1999

Shirley Valentine

"Hopkins' one-woman portrayal of Shirley is nothing short of stellar.  She is the consummate performer from beginning to end, and her well-paced presentation is riveting - not an easy task for someone who is alone onstage for a full two hours....It's only fitting that in the end, Hopkins raises her drink in celebration - perhaps knowing from the resounding applause coming from the audience that she has indeed transformed "Shirley Valentine" into the toast of the town."

Marcia Morphy
theater reviewer
Brighton - Pittsford Post July 26, 1999

"Few enterprises are as risky in theater as the one-woman show.  The simple prospect of spending an evening listening to one person is daunting.  But it is a pleasure to watch Susan Hopkins romp through the Blackfriars Theatre production of Shirley Valentine.  Hopkins is vivacious and compelling in this comedy about a housewife who discovers new life beyond the claustrophobic confines of her kitchen....When Shirley moves beyond the "little life" she has grown to despise, she literally becomes a new person.  The greatest pleasure of this production is watching that transformation on stage."

Patricia Braus
Democrat and Chronicle, July 24, 1999

Kiss of the Spider Woman

"It's nervy of Blackfriars Theatre to take on this difficult production which demands skilled acting and singing, and an elaborate physical production.  . . . . This production unmistakably demonstrates that non-union theater can rise to top professional-level achievement."

Herbert M. Simpson
theater reviewer
City newsweekly, April, 1999

"A Great Escape"
"There's no better way to 'serve time' than with Kiss of the Spider Woman"

Marcia Morphy
theater reviewer
Brighton Pittsford Post, April, 1999

The 1996 Theatre Legacy Award

It is with great pride that we announce that John Haldoupis, Artistic Director for Blackfriars Theatre, is the recipient of the 1996 Theatre Legacy Award, presented by Geva Theatre and Eastview Mall for his contribution to the Rochester community through the art of theatre.

"Since my arrival in Rochester, I have been impressed with the work being performed at Blackfriars Theatre. Not only do I look at you as a fine director and set designer, but your management of Blackfriars in tough economic times is to be saluted. I also appreciate the risks that you take artistically, reaching back for some of the more obscure works rather than leaning on the tried and true sellers. All of these things help to further our art in this community."

Mark Cuddy
Geva Theatre
Artistic Director

To contact Blackfriars Theatre, send email to: mail@blackfriars.org

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