Press & testimonials
Praise for Mathilda and the Orange Balloon
The Guardian - Theatre’s role models for deaf children: ‘they need to think anything is possible’ by Miriam Gillinson: ‘Mathilda and the Orange Balloon implicitly champions BSL … At the end of the production, the children are invited to explore the farm on stage and express their feelings using “just their bodies”. I watch them sign together, instinctively’
West End Wilma - ★★★★ Review by Nick Wayne: ‘charming … any lover of children’s books will enjoy as the story is brought to life with great creativity and imagination … holds the attention of the young audience and then delights them’
Interview on London Live [VIDEO] - click here for transcript.
Press for Beyond the Wall:
TV Azteca coverage of 2017 event (Spanish)
HuffPo Blogs - Wise Imagination: Mischief and Mirth at the Wall by Valerie Lee James: ‘…as I followed the puppets that day, I caught myself grinning ear to ear. I cheered along with the crowd at the natural authority of puppets reaching through the slats and touching each other. There was a lightness in my step and my spirits soared as the crowd cheered. Pomp and scale, color and flavor graced the streets of Nogales on both sides of the wall that day. The puppet’s billowing skirts swept fresh air into the streets, a sweet relief…’
Arizona Public Media (NPR Affiliate) - Arizona Spotlight: Listening Beyond the Wall by Nancy Montoya: ‘Jason Canizales, 17, [a teen participant] from the Arizona side says many don’t understand that "Ambos" Nogales means the two Nogales are connected. "As a teenager I feel that walls are not useful. It separates us and I think it is really unfair not to have our communities together, even though we are one," says Canizales.’
Audience Testimonials for Steph and Jess:
Ruby, age 5: ‘They are super cool and I love Jess and Steph and they are sooooo funny. It's like my favorite thing ever.’
Sharon, audience parent: ‘Steph and Jess are so talented. I've been in rooms with over one hundred people (babies through adults) so transfixed on their show you can hear a pin drop in the room. They are funny, adorable, wildly creative, and so entertaining you don't want their show to end.’
Naomi, audience parent: ‘Witty and entertaining for both children and adults. My daughter was dancing and smiling throughout the whole show. She woke up the next morning asking for more! Even I had some songs happily stuck in my head!’
Eliana, age 5: ‘I love Steph and Jess. I hope they come back soon. They are amazing. I mean amazing.’
Gideon, age 11 months: ‘Da-da. Da-da!’
Praise for Jess’ performances:
Praise for Help Wanted: Pirates! at the Magnet Theater
"Best of all is Jessica Kaufman as Toby. She's given the most to do in the book and she nails it. She's lively, funny, and has the WHAM-BAM spirit a show like this needs." -Brett Epstein, TheaterOnline.com
"For me, that's always the measure of how well a show has connected with my kids... if my three year old spends the afternoon re-enacting what he's seen onstage, I know he was paying attention. And if a cast can get [him] to engage, I know they are doing something right." -BroadwayWorld.com
"The cast was funny and the music excellent! I'm never quite sure what to expect from a kids show, but this appealed to both adults and kids [...] Catch it if you can, you won't regret it!" -BeYourBestMom.com
Praise for Footloose at Arizona Broadway theatre:
"The energy and enthusiasm of Footloose exploded on the stage … David Errigo as Ren McCormack and Jessica Kaufman as Ariel Moore steal the show through the musical hits 'Footloose', 'Holding Out for a Hero', 'I'm Free', and finally, 'Almost Paradise'." -Arizona Weekly
"Jessica Kaufman, as the steamy, playful, seductive temptress Ariel, Ren's love interest, is the perfect match for Mr. Errigo. When they sing the Act Two love song 'Almost Paradise', their duet is far more than almost paradise. ... Springer, Berger, and Kaufman beautifully blend their lovely vocal instruments in the trio 'Learning to be Silent'." -Joseph Gordon, the Gilbert Examiner
"perky, polished, and fun, and the leads, played by David Errigo, Jr. and Jessica Kaufman, are adorable, fiery kids with great chemistry - something I love to see and don't see enough. Their voices are also terrific, both separately and together" - Julie Peterson, Phoenix New Times
From Top Valley Theatre Moments of 2010: "The chemistry between the leads in Arizona Broadway Theatre's Footloose ... there was no denying the simultaneously radiant and wholesome sparks given off by David Errigo Jr. and Jessica Kaufman - a flame that (among other fine performances and production elements) helped make a mainstream, vanilla musical a lot more interesting." - Julie Peterson, Phoenix New Times"
Praise for Sisters of Swing at Allenberry Playhouse:
"The cast of this show was fantastic. [A] highly entertaining show!" -Priscila Mack, Stages Baltimore on the Web
"The powerhouse cast features Anne Montavon as Patty, Melissa Dvozenja as Maxine, and Jessica Kaufman as LaVerne, delivering the elegant harmony and catchy tunes that made them America's Sweethearts against the hard, dark years of World War II. [...] Allenberry's cast hit the right notes throughout the fast-paced show. The show's strengths are the well-sung music, which generally advances the storyline and snatches of dialogue that shows the Andrews sisters as real human beings. [...] Not everyone in the audience will be old enough to be a fan of the Andrews Sisters, but from the audience's reactions to a recent performance, everyone will be a fan of Allenberry's energetic performance of Sisters of Swing." -Jack Felix, Williamsport Sun-Gazette