"The impact of a production like this reminds us how important a professional theatre can be in the life of a city."
"The musical doesn't shy away from truths about old folks. It puts us inside their heads with gentle and broad wit and a tougher kind of wisdom...The cast performs in harmony throughout, musically and emotionally."
"A potential bridge in these polarized times..for people of different stands to meet somewhere in the middle."
"A fast moving production that leaves breathing space...The 15 voice choir proves a tremendous asset."
"Finding Donis Anne is a difficult play to produce. Not another company in town could bring to it what Playworks does in this regional premiere...(The play) crawls right under the viewer's skin to breed compassion and empathy for the characters. For those who are up to the challenge, there is much more to be found here than Donis Anne."
"Underneath the rollicking patter there's an intricate, finely crafted plot as subtle and truthful as Chekhov. Kith and Kin is a double-barreled attack to the gut. It's nice to know that a fledgling script with so much richness is being nurtured here."
"Hard-bitten and hilarious.....Kith and Kin will be remembered as one of the gutsiest, funniest plays of the season."
"A performance that sticks with you long after you've left the theatre....Although the women in the audience may laugh a little more knowingly, the themes of self-respect, inner freedom, and fulfilling your heart's desire have universal appeal."
"With a glimmer of romance and a hint of redemption, this one-woman show is both funny and wistful. Shirley shares the story of her evolution with an audience eager to empathize, sympathize, and cheer for her."
"Lots of fun, delivered with lots of class."
"If ever a play were a necessity of life, it's this taut word-play about war, writing, flying, and death. It doesn't just entertain, it also elevates.This is a play about why people go on living even though we know we are going to die."
In addition to full-fledged productions, new scripts in staged readings and workshop productions involve audiences in the beginning stages of projects.
"The weeklong festival represents a rare opportunity for writers to refine a script working with talented artists."
After the festival, Gospel Hill was made into a feature film with Danny Glover and Angela Bassett. Among other new script "graduates," Starstruck by Judy Simpson Cook received its world premiere at Flat Rock Playhouse, and Brush the Summer By by Hal Corley premiered at Adirondack Theatre Festival.