"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."

"Great Expectations by Robert Johanson brings Charles Dickens' rambling novel to the stage with surprisingly vivid understanding. And in an evident labor of love, 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

"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