Reviews |
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"How 'Bout Them Apples" |
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Performing with all the confidence and humor of a young Kaye Ballard, [Reinhagen] explained she was about to present "a show of many moments." Something about that modesty appealed to me, and the appeal only increased as she itemized in songs and patter the small things that get on her nerves in life. The entertaining ground she covered with a wry blend of concern and offhandedness included people's taking no notice of their questionable behavior, as in Bob Dorough's "Not Responsible for Shrink" dissembling, as in the Dave and Samantha Frishberg "Blizzard of Lies" and survival against odds, as in the yuk-worthy Betty Comden-Adolph Green-Jule Styne "You Mustn't Be Discouraged." The latter song was introduced in Fade Out Fade In by Carol Burnett and prompted favorable comparison for Reinhagen. The funny girl also took on airplane travel in a medley that started mildly enough with Bart Howard's "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)" and eventually moved on to the hilarious Stephen Sondheim-Richard Rodgers "What Do We Do? We Fly!" from Do I Hear a Waltz?. ... she led up to an extremely well-acted rendition of Wardell Gray and Annie Ross' "Twisted." She followed it with a sweet "What a Wonderful World".... She knew what she was about."
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Gretchen must possess one of the most appealing personalities in cabaret, her winning smile establishing a bond with her audience that draws them into an intimacy based on humor and good will rather than intense emotions. Not that she cannot sing warm and moving songs with her lovely voice, such as What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life. She can also belt out jazz arrangements and switch into a blues mode... what she does, she does very well. Her show is fun.
- Barbara Leavy, Cabaret Scenes
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Ms. Reinhagen is one of those under-discovered gems in cabaret. She always delivers a solid performance, can switch from ballad to belt without catching her breath, and her show How 'Bout Them Apples had a simple through-line regarding those things in life that annoy us, that gave her plenty of room to show the wide spectrum of talents she possesses as well as include a wide variety of songs and song styles.... the show was totally entertaining.
- Stu Hamstra, Cabaret Hotline Online
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"Back To Basics"
...glorious show...Gretchen's show was a carefully developed yet naturally executed performance. She chose to sing all "standards" - this is a dangerous course to take since the songs are so familiar, you have no margin for error and your performance is bound to be compared to others who have done the same song. But Gretchen carried it off like a pro - which in fact this young lady has become in a very short time...you must see this show for the amazing vocals. Ms. Reinhagen can at times sound as brassy as Merman and other times as heavenly as Whitfield. This is another show you must try to get to see.
• Stu Hamstra, Cabaret Hotline Online
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“Redefined” at Don't Tell Mama
Two years ago, Gretchen Reinhagen presented “ Undefinable .” Since then , she's clearly continued to ponder life and her place in it, perhaps everyone's place in it, culminating in her recent show, Redefined . Whether the show at Don't Tell Mama was autobiographical or only partly so, Reinhagen's approach to her material was introspective – an attempt, as she put it, at ‘rebirth, renewal, redefinition.' Although many of the songs were familiar, Reinhagen presented them as special material accompanying a one-woman theater piece. Some became patter songs, some serious. It worked. In turn funny, observant and reflective, she was an unusually animated performer, ready willing and able to torch a number, parody it or belt it. Her opener laid out the territory well, with ‘ The World Goes ‘Round .' ‘ A Sin to Tell a Lie' was delivered with an implicit wink and a nod, ‘ What Was I Thinking?' reprised often as a musical exclamation point.
• Peter Leavy, Cabaret Scenes
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As Miss Hannigan in “Annie”
The just-concluded weekend production of "Annie" proved that the chance to act with a Reinhagen is another big plus. Gretchen Reinhagen, who returned from New York to play Miss Hannigan in the musical, was a fine example to the dozens of kids on stage on why it's important to perfect all of the little things in a performance. She's a talented, disciplined singer-actress.
• Bruce Fessier, The Desert Sun
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The evil orphanage director, Miss Hannigan, played by Gretchen Reinhagen, has some spectacular moves too and becomes the focus of every scene she's in…
• Christopher Hyde, Portland Press Herald
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Gretchen Reinhagen plays Miss Hannigan, the orphanage mistress, in a performance that is virtuoso comedy…
- Joseph Mauro, York County Coast Star
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As Louise Segar in “Always…Patsy Cline”
‘Patsy Cline' unleashes two formidable talents… Tara Johnston as Patsy Cline and Gretchen Reinhagen as Louise Segar give knockout performances. You just may be witnessing the birth of two future stars. …Reinhagen, as the sassy Segar, serves as the narrator and adds a dynamic liveliness to the show that helps keep it from being soppy and sentimental. She has great comedic timing and an inherent ability to get the audience on the same page as she is in a heartbeat. In addition, she skillfully stretches the humorously earthy elements of her character to maximum effect without going over the top.
• V.R. Cann, Portland Press Herald
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Gretchen Reinhagen portrays Louise… convincingly and vividly…. As Louise, Reinhagen infuses the same fiery energy and spirit into her role as she did in her performances as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie' and Janis Joplin in ‘Beehive.'
• Joseph Mauro, Journal Tribune
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Louise Segar is played to the hilt by Gretchen Reinhagen, a New York based actress whose theater credits are deservedly vast and various.
• Carol-Lynne Wilson, Tourist News
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As Janis Joplin in “Beehive”
She is true to Joplin 's character and does a terrific job in embodying her spirit…
• V.R. Cann, Portland Press Herald
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Gretchen Reinhagen who was enchantingly delightful as the evil, lovable Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie,' has a song set that is a show highlight…
• Joseph Mauro, York County Coast Star
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Reinhagen embodies the very essence of Joplin …
• Maureen E. King, Journal Tribune
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