REVIEWS
Macabre Americana
Debut Releases
The Music Mermaid ("Black Dog")
"An intense exploration of depression’s claws and speed and teeth, “Black Dog” is sent running on plumes of twangy, outlaw folk."
The Music Mermaid ("Mother")
"“Mother” is another example of what Macabre Americana accomplish so effortlessly... construct substantial narratives that give voice and value to our world."
The Music Mermaid ("Natural Disaster")
"“Natural Disaster”... tells a gut-punch story as gently as it can, delivering pangs of pain with offerings of heart to patch up the fissures that bloom in our chest when we hear beyond the pretty folk arrangement to the narrative it tells."
The Music Mermaid ("Maxine")
"“Maxine” is a sweet ode to journalists everywhere, says Macabre Americana, recognizing the great responsibility they bear as writers sworn to uncover the truth… which is exactly what the band accomplishes with every release."
The Music Mermaid ("American Train")
"What the members of Macabre Americana are doing is important. They’re gently delivering a tough-to-swallow history and simultaneously encouraging a call-to-action, urging listeners to consider these stories and adopt things like empathy and understanding."
Man of La Mancha
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey
The New York Times
"...the rest of the company handle their roles very capably... most notably among them, Blake Pfeil... boyish as Don Quixote’s faithful servant, Sancho..."
The Star-Ledger
"A standout among them is Blake Pfeil, who is boyish and charming in the role of Sancho, Quixote’s chief reality translator, sidekick, and advocate."
The NJ Examiner
"...this is a very fine cast, all excellent actors worthy of any national stage... Cervantes is joined in the prison by his squire, manservant, friend and wit, Sancho Panza, played wonderfully by Blake Pfeil."
New Jersey Newsroom
"Blake Pfeil, who plays Cervante’s manservant (and therefore also Sancho) handles the role, not as a cherubic buffoon as so many have, but completely straight — with intensity. Risky to be sure, but immensely satisfying."
CurtainUp
"I would like to extend a bravo to Blake Pfeil, as Sancho, who is irresistibly endearing without resorting to tiresome shtick."
"...the rest of the company handle their roles very capably... most notably among them, Blake Pfeil... boyish as Don Quixote’s faithful servant, Sancho..."
The Star-Ledger
"A standout among them is Blake Pfeil, who is boyish and charming in the role of Sancho, Quixote’s chief reality translator, sidekick, and advocate."
The NJ Examiner
"...this is a very fine cast, all excellent actors worthy of any national stage... Cervantes is joined in the prison by his squire, manservant, friend and wit, Sancho Panza, played wonderfully by Blake Pfeil."
New Jersey Newsroom
"Blake Pfeil, who plays Cervante’s manservant (and therefore also Sancho) handles the role, not as a cherubic buffoon as so many have, but completely straight — with intensity. Risky to be sure, but immensely satisfying."
CurtainUp
"I would like to extend a bravo to Blake Pfeil, as Sancho, who is irresistibly endearing without resorting to tiresome shtick."
Little Shop of Horrors
New Repertory Theatre
The Boston Globe
"Pfeil is a nerdy Seymour in plaid shirt and baseball cap who wears his longing for Audrey on his sleeve — and not just because Molloy’s brassy-voiced blond bombshell comes to work every day in a black sheath and high heels. They make a shy, affectionate couple."
BroadwayWorld.com
"Attired in less than fashionable clothing and nerdy horn rimmed glasses, Pfeil inhabits the insecure character who grows into a mensch. He has a sweet voice that takes on power when he duets with Timothy John Smith as the voice of Audrey II (“Feed Me”) and blends well with the original Audrey (Susan Molloy), as well... Farwell and Pfeil dance a tango (“Mushnik and Son”) that would garner big points on Dancing With the Stars..."
Opus Affair
"This production has a lot of heart, most of all from leading man Blake Pfeil, who had me howling at unexpected moments throughout."
"Pfeil is a nerdy Seymour in plaid shirt and baseball cap who wears his longing for Audrey on his sleeve — and not just because Molloy’s brassy-voiced blond bombshell comes to work every day in a black sheath and high heels. They make a shy, affectionate couple."
BroadwayWorld.com
"Attired in less than fashionable clothing and nerdy horn rimmed glasses, Pfeil inhabits the insecure character who grows into a mensch. He has a sweet voice that takes on power when he duets with Timothy John Smith as the voice of Audrey II (“Feed Me”) and blends well with the original Audrey (Susan Molloy), as well... Farwell and Pfeil dance a tango (“Mushnik and Son”) that would garner big points on Dancing With the Stars..."
Opus Affair
"This production has a lot of heart, most of all from leading man Blake Pfeil, who had me howling at unexpected moments throughout."
A Christmas Carol
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey
The New York Times
"Under the masterly direction of Bonnie J. Monte, Shakespeare Theatre's longtime artistic director, 11 actors expertly play more than 80 separate parts, and even the inanimate objects have motivation... There is no doubt that the light bulb (Blake Pfeil) feels pain when it is being turned off and sweet relief when it is turned on again."
The Star-Ledger
"That actors are needed for more than a half-dozen roles does mean that Blake Pfeil isn’t so Tiny as Tim. And yet Pfeil is skillful enough to make himself seem younger than he is."
History News Network
"Some of the better performers in the play are Gregory Jackson as Bob Crachit, Blake Pfeil as Tiny Tim, Tina Stafford as Mrs. Crachit and John Ahlin as Fezziwig."
Talkin' Broadway
"The entire robust ensemble is fully engaged and integrated into every aspect of the production, slipping in and out of a multiplicity of roles while maintaining a high degree of verisimilitude."
"Under the masterly direction of Bonnie J. Monte, Shakespeare Theatre's longtime artistic director, 11 actors expertly play more than 80 separate parts, and even the inanimate objects have motivation... There is no doubt that the light bulb (Blake Pfeil) feels pain when it is being turned off and sweet relief when it is turned on again."
The Star-Ledger
"That actors are needed for more than a half-dozen roles does mean that Blake Pfeil isn’t so Tiny as Tim. And yet Pfeil is skillful enough to make himself seem younger than he is."
History News Network
"Some of the better performers in the play are Gregory Jackson as Bob Crachit, Blake Pfeil as Tiny Tim, Tina Stafford as Mrs. Crachit and John Ahlin as Fezziwig."
Talkin' Broadway
"The entire robust ensemble is fully engaged and integrated into every aspect of the production, slipping in and out of a multiplicity of roles while maintaining a high degree of verisimilitude."