WHAT THE CRITICS HAVE TO SAY

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The New York Times - Mel Gussow review

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Off-Broadway: 'Annie Wobbler'

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"In Gerald Chapman's production, Miss Bosniak offers an engaging performance and gives the play a certain fluidity, a feeling enhanced by  Venustiano Borromeo's  three tiered set design."

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Backstage - Lisa Smith review

Annie Wobbler

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"Gerald Chapman's astute direction, Venustiano Borromeo's creative three-leveled set design, and apt costuming by Dana John Raso and Dada Leeds flesh out the play's intrinsic merits.

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Times Union - Michael Eck review

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Bold, bright `Beauty and Beast' a Perfect Fit for Park Playhouse

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"Park Playhouse is celebrating its 18th season of free theater in the park with a big, colorful production of Disney's fairy tale juggernaut "Beauty and the Beast"... the bigger-than-life look and feel of the show suit Park Playhouse perfectly. Venustiano Borromeo's trademark set pieces are as bold, and bright as ever. "

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The Morning Call - John Flautz review

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'Biloxi Blues' is More Than Simon Entertainment

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"Venustiano Borromeo has designed a set that works exceptionally well. This production is funny, it has dimensions beyond simple entertainment, it has a salting of barracks language, but the barracks language of 1942 sounds pretty mild today. I recommend it heartily."

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Times Union - Jeremy Stoller review

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'South Pacific' is Worthy Destination

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"What you probably remember most about "South Pacific," if anything, are the song ... But the classic 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein score alone isn't enough to make a good evening of theater. Strong acting, energetic performances and a dose of freshness are required; Michael LoPorto's production in Washington Park has them. ... and in transforming the stage into an exotic locale, Venustiano Borromeo and the design team has done fine work."

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Times Union - Michael Eck review

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Park Playhouse's 'DOLLY' is Worth a Big HELLO

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"Park Playhouse's stock-in-trade is the grand American musical: big, big, big. Big shows with big tunes bring out old Broadway die-hards. Producing Artistic Director Venustiano Borromeo's big, rolling sets and big, bright costumes bring out fans of stage magic and portable architecture. And director Mark Heckler's big casts bring out enough proud family members to fill up the Washington Park Amphitheater on their own. In past years, bigger, however, hasn't always been better. The good news is that with this year's entry, ``Hello, Dolly!,'' bigger is indeed better."

"... The title sequence is, of course, the icing on the cake, and Friday it received two enthusiastic ovations -- one before it drizzled a bit and another on its post-rain-break reprise. Borromeo's Broadway-style moving staircase received as many oohs and aahs as Dolly's purple gown and the waiters' high-stepping."

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Daily Gazette - Carol King review

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Outstanding 'West Side Story' Cast Creates Magic at Park Playhouse

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"The beloved musical 'West Side Story' is based on Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet.' In its presentation of the Jerome Robbins masterwork, Park Playhouse is staying true to the show's glorious heritage. The set by Venustiano Borromeo is a meticulously rendered street scene with brick walls, high, lighted windows and the requisite balcony (in this case a fire escape). And it seamlessly accommodates the many locations of the show's action."

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Times Union - Martin P. Kelly review

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'Oklahoma' A Spirited Revival

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"The expansiveness of the Live at the Lakehouse area in Albany's Washington Park is amply filled with a rollicking production of "Oklahoma," whose revival caps a summer schedule of presentations at the park. Director Dick Ostrander makes good use of a flexible stage designed by Venustiano Borromeo that changes swiftly into the various locales as whole houses seem to move into view quietly."

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Times Union - Michael Eck review

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'Guys and Dolls' is Big, Bright, Brassy

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"It's July and that means Park Playhouse is back with live free theater under the stars in downtown Albany's Washington Park -- a unique chance to catch a quality show that would cost a pretty penny anywhere else. This year's entry, ``Guys and Dolls,'' is pretty much everything you've come to expect from Park Playhouse; a big show with a big cast in bright costumes dancing the night away on  Venustiano Borromeo's  bigger, brighter sets."

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Times Union - Steve Barnes review

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'High School Musical' A Winner at Park Playhouse

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"... And yet, somehow, as a result of fate, luck or the talented team assembled by Park Playhouse, starting with longtime area performer Robert Dalton, making his mainstage directorial debut, this 'High School Musical' is a winner that delighted me. Director Robert Dalton and choreographer Greg Marsh deserve credit for their adroit deployment of a large cast, Dalton especially for his smart use of the multilevel stage, designed by veteran Park Playhouse producer Venustiano Borromeo."

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Metroland - James Yeara review

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'Fiddler on the Roof' Raises High

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"... an excellent wood-on-wood set by longtime Park Playhouse impresario Venustiano Borromeo. Coupled with Borromeo's excellent costume design of earthy vests and aprons, caps and prayer shawls, this is a Fiddler on the Roof that seems to organically spring from the earth to delight its audience."

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The Morning Call - John Flautz review

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'Anything Goes' gets a new look

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This set, designed by Venustiano Borromeo, is perfectly simple - a stage with the "ship's" orchestra on a platform in the background, the entire thing convertible into a deck, a stateroom, or a brig with quick carry-on props. And the players are so good there's no need for a chorus.

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The Record - Phil Drew review

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Playhouse "Fiddler' blows off the roof

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The show gets a brisk and spare staging by director Michael LoPorto. He is aided enormously by the sturdy musical direction of Dale Zurbrick, the confident, well-balanced conducting of Mark Brockley and the starkly beautiful, minimal set designed by Park producer Venustiano Borromeo.

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