Reviews

Cinderella

Splash Magazines - Joe Gruberman

“Joy Del Valle is my Leslie Ann Warren for the 21st Century. With the physical grace of a ballerina and a smooth, natural singing voice, Del Valle portrays the perfect Cinderella, a beaten-down waif of a girl with too much optimism and heart to let her lot in life turn her bitter. In this modern day reprisal, Ella is an uplifting soul who inspires all those around her to do better and be better. In so doing, she earns her ultimate reward, not so much because we felt sorry for her, but because when you do so much good, then good things ought to come back to you. The fairy tale has thus become a life lesson.

I can’t say enough about Joy Del Valle’s portrayal of Ella. Are we talking “boyhood crush” revisited? Not really. I’m past the stage of having such feelings for anyone other than my wife of 42 years. But what is so special is that Del Valle’s Ella draws us into her heart and becomes an exquisite reminder of the nostalgic days of our innocent youth when our dreams were the lofty goals we thought were attainable. And indeed, some of them still are.” Full Review Here

Broadway World - Herbert Paine

“Rounding out the show's principal characters are Maria Amorocho as a delightful fairy godmother, here called Marie, and Ella herself played by Joy Del Valle whose bubbly nature and dazzling bright smile instantly captivates an audience the moment she first enters pushing a cart in the woods while looking for firewood to take back to the cottage. No wonder the prince falls for her the second she appears at the ball.” Full Review Here

West Side Story

Talkin’ Broadway - Gil Benbrook

“Director Michael Barnard has a firm grasp on what is required to derive emotionally rich performances from his cast. While the majority are delivering bold performances that are infused with anger, Joy Del Valle and James D. Gish, as Maria and Tony, achieve a rich sense of hope and joy in their portrayals, contributing beauty into the ugliness around them. Both actors have amazingly clear and pure singing voices that deliver their numerous solo ballads and duets flawlessly. Their dialogue scenes are touching and genuine, with both beautifully portraying the tenderness, yearning and urgency within these two young lovers. They form an incredibly engaging and realistic couple. In past productions I've often found it almost laughable how these two characters can fall in love so quickly, but in Del Valle and Gish's nuances performances, it seems entirely understandable.” Full Review Here

Broadway World - Herbert Paine

“Speaking of stars...James Gish and Joy Del Valle are captivating as Tony and Maria, the star-crossed lovers-at-first-sight. In fact, they are tremendous. The chemistry of the two is enhanced by their full and sonorous voices, angelic and sublime in tone and range. When they combine for Tonight or One Hand, One Heart, they leave no soul untouched, so honest and credible are their overall performances.” Full Review Here