Reviews for The Rose Tattoo with Chicago's Shattered Globe Theatre:
*Rose Tattoo was a Jeff Recommended Production.
"Grelli's Mangiacavallo captures the essence of a man who is incapable of hiding his feelings, no matter how much they might embarrass him. When he apologizes for what he thinks are unmanly tears, Niccolai's Serafina comforts him with the wise, if ungrammatical, "A man is not no different than no one else." -Chicago Tribune
"Grelli is the perfect tragicomic clown, winningly capturing Alvaro's opportunism and goofy desperation, as well as the loneliness that in some crazy way makes him Serafina's unlikely soulmate." -Chicago Sun Times
"They’re a delightful pair, Niccolai’s testy, reluctant Serafina and Grelli’s impulsive Mangiacavallo, circling and sparring and both wanting the same thing but only one of them quite understanding it. What has been virtually a one-woman tragicomedy with incidental support suddenly blossoms into a full-blown comedy for two, and Grelli leaps boldly into the picture bringing a truckload of charisma, comic finesse and sexual energy." -Chicago On The Aisle
*Rose Tattoo was a Jeff Recommended Production.
"Grelli's Mangiacavallo captures the essence of a man who is incapable of hiding his feelings, no matter how much they might embarrass him. When he apologizes for what he thinks are unmanly tears, Niccolai's Serafina comforts him with the wise, if ungrammatical, "A man is not no different than no one else." -Chicago Tribune
"Grelli is the perfect tragicomic clown, winningly capturing Alvaro's opportunism and goofy desperation, as well as the loneliness that in some crazy way makes him Serafina's unlikely soulmate." -Chicago Sun Times
"They’re a delightful pair, Niccolai’s testy, reluctant Serafina and Grelli’s impulsive Mangiacavallo, circling and sparring and both wanting the same thing but only one of them quite understanding it. What has been virtually a one-woman tragicomedy with incidental support suddenly blossoms into a full-blown comedy for two, and Grelli leaps boldly into the picture bringing a truckload of charisma, comic finesse and sexual energy." -Chicago On The Aisle
Superior Donuts at Dorset Theatre Festival Review:
"Janis Young is a perfect Lady Boyle, a street-woman who wheels her few possessions around with her. Gregor Paslawsky plays the Russian neighbor Max to a tee. Lindsay Smiling is a reasonable policeman. Nic Grelli plays a thug perfectly and Jakob von Eichel is believable as Kiril Ivakin, a young Russian counterpart to Grelli’s character."
"Janis Young is a perfect Lady Boyle, a street-woman who wheels her few possessions around with her. Gregor Paslawsky plays the Russian neighbor Max to a tee. Lindsay Smiling is a reasonable policeman. Nic Grelli plays a thug perfectly and Jakob von Eichel is believable as Kiril Ivakin, a young Russian counterpart to Grelli’s character."
Honey Brown Eyes at SF Playhouse Reviews:
"Nic Grelli and Jennifer Stuckert give outstanding performances. Both are successful in rising to the challenges of the script. Nic Grelli also shows tender restraint in the few affectionate glimpses into his character's kindness."
"Nic Grelli and Jennifer Stuckert give outstanding performances. Both are successful in rising to the challenges of the script. Nic Grelli also shows tender restraint in the few affectionate glimpses into his character's kindness."
"As Dragan, Nic Grelli’s struggle to maintain his humanity and yet act the part of the solider is painfully palpable.When Dragan bursts through the door of Alma’s meagre home, he is excited and crazed, in the grip of blood lust. In Nic Grelli’s carefully nuanced portrayal, we see his struggle to remember his own humanity as well as his hyped up commitment to the cause of annihilating the “enemy”. His confusion and desperation and struggle are so immediately evident, we cannot help but sympathize with his plight. It is shocking when we see him turn on Alma in a grossly brutal, violent, sexual attack. Yet even in the midst of this action, Grelli’s confusion is such that we never lose site of Dragan’s basic humanity. It is exciting and disturbing to watch."
The Foreplay Play and Magic Trick Reviews:
"The four characters teeter back and forth between clashing and coming together extremely well, revealing each others’ strengths and their breaking points. MacCarthy creates a nice sense that they are pushing each other’s buttons, usually without ever meaning to. Nic Grelli’s soft-spoken Kyle is a lovely blend of a quiet fun-loving charisma and deep vulnerability and insecurity..."
"The four characters teeter back and forth between clashing and coming together extremely well, revealing each others’ strengths and their breaking points. MacCarthy creates a nice sense that they are pushing each other’s buttons, usually without ever meaning to. Nic Grelli’s soft-spoken Kyle is a lovely blend of a quiet fun-loving charisma and deep vulnerability and insecurity..."
"Diana Oh as Bana, Nic Grelli as Eric, and Kim Gainer as Clara give dynamic and nuanced performances"
"Nic Grelli plays with the complex layers of Eric and creates a puzzling, infuriating, and alluring lover who is both incredibly needy and destructive. Diana Oh shines as Bana, who manipulates all situations to her advantage. "
The Boat in The Tiger Suit Reviews
"The Boat in the Tiger Suit begins with a funeral on a boat for a man named Herman. Five people are in attendance, including his son Rene (played by the quirky and endearing Nic Grelli) and one of Herman's army comrades Gene (played by the enthralling Bobby Plasencia), whom Rene is attempting to seduce...These actors really immersed themselves in their roles and I felt like they were just having so much fun on The Brick Theater's stage"
"The Boat in the Tiger Suit begins with a funeral on a boat for a man named Herman. Five people are in attendance, including his son Rene (played by the quirky and endearing Nic Grelli) and one of Herman's army comrades Gene (played by the enthralling Bobby Plasencia), whom Rene is attempting to seduce...These actors really immersed themselves in their roles and I felt like they were just having so much fun on The Brick Theater's stage"
"Rene (Nic Grelli) is the son of the deceased. After a small disaster of a funeral service, Rene finds himself alone with Gene. In a sexy yet incredibly vulnerable scene, he makes moves on Gene (Plasencia)..."
Cino Nights Article:
