THE DROWSY CHAPERONE - Sierra Repertory Theatre
THE UNION DEMOCRAT raves: An unequivocal gem! This inspired production contains everything that audiences love about musicals. CALAVERAS ENTERPRISE says: It's true. The Drowsy Chaperone is the best musical I've ever seen at Sierra Rep. Under the watchful eyes of director and choreographer Russell Garrett, this show cannot, and does not, miss. This Chaperone is one for the books. GYPSY - Ocean State Theatre Company
BROADWAYWORLD.COM says: A Nearly Perfect production of the beloved musical. Director and choreographer Russell Garrett crafts numerous beautiful moments between his actors. While some directors may choose to push this show into the territory of camp or caricature, Garrett is not satisfied with that. He keeps things grounded and real, maintaining the emotional truth in each moment. He is careful to take care of each small moment, all so important to the story and the characters, rather than just skipping over them to get to the next big dance number. Having said that, Garrett has an equally impressive skill at staging the dance numbers, and there are a bunch of them in this musical. Garrett pulls it off brilliantly, never showing signs of a weak spot in his repertoire. LIVE THEATRE in MA and RI says: A spirited, splendid production. Garrett directs and choreographs the show with flair and style. GUYS AND DOLLS - Ocean State Theatre Company
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MARY POPPINS - Wheelock Family Theatre
THE BOSTON GLOBE raves: Russell Garrett unfolds a production of Mary Poppins that proves to be 'Practically Perfect' in every way. (he) carefully builds the energy of the show toward a series of crescendos involving extraordinary ensemble numbers that include...some stunning choreography (including) the show=stopping 'Step In Time'. ArtsImpulse says: We are transported to a world of magic and surprise by the strong direction of Russell Garrett. (He) never loses sight of the importance of the musical, which is in finding magic within us, and his direction always balances the spectacle with the talented singing and acting (and dancing!). “Step in Time” actually stopped the show on opening night with boisterous clapping and enthusiasm. BEEHIVE! - Sierra Repertory Theatre
THE UNION DEMOCRAT says:
This production of Beehive! is exhilarating, nostalgic fun! As good as the first act is, the second act is even better. Here, Garrett picks the pace up considerably with kinetic choreography. The dancing is electric, and the cast gives it their all. THE CALAVERAS ENTERPRISE: Beehive's success relies on the considerable talent of six versatile performers and the imagination and choreography of director Russell Garrett. (He) keeps everything bouncing brightly along at a brisk pace. CAMELOT - New Repertory Theatre |
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL raves:
A terrific production of a masterful musical, a true summer treat! Ocean State Theatre has come up with the surprise hit of the summer, a sizzling Guys and Dolls that boasts smooth acting, sharp sets and some knockout dance numbers. Director Russell Garrett, the man at the helm of last summer’s Legally Blonde, has managed to find the pulse of this 1951 Tony winner. And his choreography is fabulous. BROADWAYWORLD.COM says: Right from the start, Russell Garrett delivers a solid production that is visually engaging and has good momentum. Guys and Dolls also includes several excellent dance numbers; (they) have great character and flair, and the outstanding ensemble routines earn deserved and enthusiastic applause. NEWPORT MERCURY says: Entertainment at it's absolute best! CRANSTON HERALD raves: Guys and Dolls grabs you from the opening street scene, sustains you through some superbly choreographed dance numbers, and leaves you with a powerhouse finale. Top it all off with a director/choreographer (Russell Garrett) who knows how to put it all together. |
BROADWAYWORLD.COM raves:
(New Rep) has given the region a wonderful holiday gift with the revival of Camelot, especially during this period of historical reflection. Director/Choreographer Russell Garrett's measured rendition gives clarity to Lerner's book, which has often been considered murky and dense, and places great emphasis where it belongs, on the passions of the star-crossed lovers..... by and large the inherent theatricality, the lush score, and the stellar cast sweep us away. Garrett and company capture the romance, the optimism, and the conflicted emotions that lead to the collapse of a dream. METROWEST DAILY NEWS says: New Rep's Camelot pulses with life. The cast - under the clean, intelligent direction of Russell Garrett - proves that the show is compelling and ultimately deeply moving. BOSTON ARTS REVIEW: For Camelot to soar, you need crackerjack acting and inspired singing. Director Russell Garrett’s lovely production has both. THE HUB REVIEW: (The audience) for Camelot were treated to a subtly acted and beautifully sung performance that put a new shine on this under-rated Lerner and Loewe gem. |
CHICAGO - Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
The ISLAND PACKET raves:
Chicago now on stage at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina is one of the best productions I've experienced. It is exhaustingly energetic and ridiculously diverting. Cheers to director/choreographer Russell Garrett, whose work we have enjoyed over the years. BROADWAYWORLD.COM : A high quality rendering of the 1920s-era musical... the show was artistically sound and highly entertaining. |
LEGALLY BLONDE - Ocean State Theatre Company
THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL :
A show that's really worth a look....and Russell Garrett's direction is right on the money. BROADWAYWORLD.COM : Elle's over‐ the‐top cheerleading routine and exercise maven Brooke Wyndham's enthusiastic jump rope workout are prime examples of the dance choreography's exhausting pace, but the company, under the smart direction of Russell Garrett, never misses a step along the way. EDGE PROVIDENCE: Ocean State Theater Company’s latest offering is a fun and flamboyant production. Russell Garrett takes the reins as director/choreographer and clearly knows his stuff, the pace of the show is energetic and never stalls. |
ALL SHOOK UP - North Shore Music Theatre
THE BOSTON GLOBE raves: Russell Garrett's direction.... keeps the action moving at breakneck speed, so the familiar music simply washes pleasantly over the audience. Garrett deserves particular credit for his remarkably creative, arena-stage approach to this proscenium-based musical. Motorcycles and carousel horses not only emerge from side ramps; they are worked into the action, while scenes and actors pop up through-out the theater. A bicycle chase at the center of the stage becomes one of the highlights of the show, while production numbers fluidly navigate every angle of the playing area. EDGE BOSTON exclaimed: The exuberant show is expertly and wittily directed by Russell Garrett. Garrett keeps All Shook Up moving at a fast clip without losing the more touching moments that give the story its emotional weight. He’s also skilled with the challenges of theater-in-the round and uses the aisles and a hydraulic lift center stage to great effect. |
9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL - Theatre By The Sea
THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL says: One nice thing about this production, is Russell Garrett’s crisp, briskly paced direction. The show clocked in at 2 hours and 20 minutes, but it flew by. Garrett has also rounded up a terrific cast. BROADWAYWORLD.COM raves: Director/choreographer Russell Garrett astutely focuses TBTS’s production squarely on the relationship between the women, and doing so centers 9 to 5, building heart and dimension into the show’s big laughs and over-the-top revenge plot. Props and set pieces compliment the scenes, never overshadowing the storyline or the actors, and the show’s dance numbers are energetic, skillful and present effortlessly on Matunuck’s stage. |
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - New Repertory Theatre
THE BOSTON GLOBE proclaimed: Perhaps not every production of the 1982 cult-classic musical Little Shop of Horrors conjures Shakespeare’s Scottish play, but the one that’s currently up at New Repertory Theatre most certainly does. (It) is also, of course, great fun, and never more so than at New Rep, where simple, thoughtful production values rule. BROADWAY WORLD.COM raves: Making his New Rep directorial debut, Russell Garrett and his team of designers have crafted a production that is visually and technically spot on. Garrett wears two hats (shoes?) and, in addition to his directing chores, choreographed all the right moves.....the girl trio is constantly in synchronized motion reminiscent of their namesakes. |
HAIRSPRAY - Theatre By The Sea
THE PROVIDENCE PHOENIX said: It's energetically directed and choreographed here by Russell Garrett, who did such a smashing job last year with The Full Monty. WARWICK BEACON raves: Hairspray is the hit of the season. Don't Miss it! BROADWAY WORLD.COM: There is really nothing not to like about Theatre By The Sea's rousing, feel-good production of Hairspray. |
SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE - Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
LOWCOUNTRY WEEKLY: One of the finest theatrical productions we've experienced in some time: the musical Smokey Joe's Cafe at the beautiful Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. But (the show) is more than just great pop music, it's actually compelling musical theatre. We urge you to see the show before it ends its hugely successful run. You won't be disappointed. THE ISLAND PACKET - .....picture an earnest, energetic cast of singers and dancers, supported impressively by a collection of talented musicians, and you'll begin to imagine the fun and good time you'll have at a performance of Smokey Joe's Cafe. |
The Who's TOMMY - Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
THE ISLAND PACKET raves: This Hilton Head production has been given it's own special spin by director and choreographer Russell Garrett. (And) what a spin it is. What a night! LOWCOUNTRY WEEKLY: A compelling night of theatre. (An) exciting, highly entertaining production helmed by director Russell Garrett. |
RED, WHITE, AND TUNA - Sierra Repertory Theatre
UNION DEMOCRAT says: Director Russell Garrett guides the two (actors) in revealing Tuna’s richness and intricacy....(he) has molded the exceptional talent of two actors into hilarious, acerbic entertainment. |
THE FULL MONTY - Theatre By The Sea
BROADWAYWORLD.COM declares: Russell Garrett has done a brilliant job casting this huge production. Garrett and his talented cast gives us a crowd-pleasing musical romp. |
CABARET - Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
LOWCOUNTY WEEKLY raves:
Powerful. The Arts Center's Cabaret is a glittering production with a heart of darkness. (This) Cabaret is a dark, poignant show that resonates long after curtain call. THE ISLAND PACKET: High moments come, one after the other in (this) production of Cabaret....not to be missed. |
FALSETTOS - Foothills Theatre Company
TELEGRAM AND GAZETTE says: Falsettos is exhilating, irreverently witty, and deeply moving. This is a rollercoaster of a ride you won't soon forget. |
MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS - Foothills Theatre
TELEGRAM AND GAZETTE: Garrett's finely calibrated direction successfully walks the thin line between over-the-top frenzy and controlled chaos....uproariously funny. |
GUYS AND DOLLS - Sierra Repertory Theatre
UNION DEMOCRAT:
The scene depicting the craps game in the sewer is so electric it is worth the price of admission....an acrobatic ballet of dancers excellently choreographed by Garrett. |
CHICAGO - Arts Center of Coastal Carolina (2004)
SAVANNAH NEWS declares:
Chicago (is) both dazzling and poignantly disturbing in director Russell Garrett's able hands. The show superbly entertains but also reflects something deeper and unsettling. (As) Garrett brilliantly illustrates...Chicago is immensely appealing and hugely entertaining. |
ANYTHING GOES - Sklylight Music Theatre
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL raves: Anything Goes revived in perfect style! The cast excersize their gift for physical comedy. There's a lot of it and director/ choreographer Russell Garrett is enormously clever about it. TIME OUT says: It sparkles and crackles from the overture to the final curtain call. Russell Garrett who did such an amazing job on Chicago last year, repeated his performance as very noteworthy stage director in this production. Don't let this one pass you by. |