PRESS

Evita

"The show belongs to Felicia Finley. Her performance captivates the audience completely. And yet, the qualities she exudes are nearly indescribable. Her ability to show Eva's vulnerability as well as her ambition is just plain magical."( Portsmouth Herald-Maryann Roberson )

"In the ubdemanding strring role is Felicia Finley, and actress who can certainly sing, dance, and truly look the part as she tranforms herself from ambitious young girl, to actress, to elegant but controversial first lady. Finley Evita ia a strong expressive woman determined to succeed, to conquer; her voice had the range to match the multifacted personality. She was especially lovable in handling the sweet, soft notes. Futhermore, she'a a delight to look at..." ( The York Independent )

DON'T CRY FOR HER, SHE'S ON HER WAY TO THE TOP
"There's no "Evita" without a convincing Eva. Felicia Finley delivers, providing steely intensity-when she finagles her way from her rural village to the big city and sings, "Stand Back Buenos Aires!" It's and unquestionable command. Finley deepens Eva's independent streak once in place as the Argentina. The staging of, and her acting in, "High Flying Adored" and "Rainbow High" make beautiful character studies of a woman getting what she wished for and not knowing quite what to make of it. Later, as Eva's health declines, Finley is remarkable in showing the conflict of mental strength and physical weakness."( The Journal News-Edward Buroughs )

"Most theatre goers have seen "Evita" at least once, which means that locals and visitors should flock to see this production to see how it compares with others. Gordon Greenberg directs this hugely talented cast, combined with Finley's passionate and determined portrayal, makes this one stunning acheivement." ( Arts in Maine - Joseph Mauro )


Award-Winning Actress

(Felicia won Bistro Award 2003 Best Cabaret Debut in Manhattan resulting from this review)
Well, hubba-hubba, ding-ding, baby, she's got everything. Felicia Finley is a blonde beauty who can sing, dance, act, twirl a mean baton, and be knockdown funny. Finley is the kind of multi-talent for whom shows are written. Or would be if shows were still written for people and not to establish merchandising industries.
In a show with so many highlights that is was blinding, one the highest was Alanis Morissette's "Forgiven," with Finley revisions. If she only stood at the mike and told family tales, she'd have a howl of a turn.Finley has a voice with all the power of a jackhammer, a face that fashion photographers would step all over each other to get to, and future at least as broad as the Great White Way. ( Bistro Bits - David Finkle )


Forbidden Broadway

"Acerbically accurate, Ms. Finley is undoubtedly the shows most electric performance." ( New York Times - Ben Brantley )

"Felicia is clever and wickedly funny." ( Vareity - Charles Isherwood )

"There are 4 gifted performers in this revue, particularly Felicia Finley."( New York Times/WQXR-FM - Bruce Weber )

"Felicia Finley is perfection. She's sharply funny and has star quality." ( Associated Press - Michael Kuckwara )

"Felicia brings intoxicating energy." ( New York Times - Theater Guide )

"Vibrant and versatile, Felicia Finley is a blonde standout and one of the funniest in the show." ( Backstage - Barbara and Scott Siegel )

"Felicia has inspired lunatic silliness and is one of the revue's appealing calling cards." ( The New York Observer - John Heilpern )

"Felicia Finley is a standout in the show and she will make you laugh uncontrollably." ( Theater Mania - Barbara and Scott Siegel )

"Felicia Finley delivers a hilariously accute performance." ( The Star Ledger - Michael Sommers )

"Finley got the biggest laugh of the night. You've got to see her." ( Deja.com - Tim Dunleavy )

"Finley sends the laugh meter zooming!" ( Curtain Up - Elyse Sommer)

"Felicia does Aida's Headley to a "t" in a number called, "It's Cheesy" and is hoot as Charlie's Angel-turned Annie Oakley Cheryl Ladd." ( NYTE - Martin Denton )


Smokey Joe's Cafe '04

"Finley, who performed the title role in the Playhouse's "Evita," is back and once again demonstraing that certain je nais se pas. Finley never does anything to draw your eye from fellow performers. But once she's on stage, you're hard pressed not to pay attention. A bit of conversation ensued around this phenomenon after the show, trying to define the special quality. The best explanation is, while everyone is belting their hearts out to you, Finley makes you come to her, and then gives you her undivided attention, and you're so darn grateful she does. The girl has dance moves, a natural, sensual and elegant physical expression, a strong distinctive voice and charisma. Hard not to notice." ( Portsmouth Herald - Jeanne McCartin )


Aida & Red! Hot! Blue!

"Felicia Finley, as Amneris, is fantastic. She sings beautifully with passion and devotion. She is a good actress, and brings Amneris to life." ( Unbound - Joanna Gojlik )

"Felicia Finley, making her Papermill debut, shines." ( New Jersey Regional Roundup - Gretchen Van Benthuysen )

"Debbie Gravitte and Felicia Finley's duet is as good as it gets!" ( Hunterdon Press - Sheila Abrams )

"The de lovely Felicia Finley and Michael Greuber create one of the show's memorable moments singing and dancing the artfully staged, "I've Got You Under My Skin." ( Total Theater - Simon Saltzman )


Pardon My English

"...tour de force performances by Brian D'arcy James, Emily Skinner, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Rob Bartlett, Don Stephenson, and Felicia Finley." ( NEXT - David Hurst )

"Felicia Finley, Magda, is imbued with the proper ditziness. Asked why she's so excited about the prospect, Magda replies, "Then I'll get to be Magda Carter." Get it? Well, er, the accent helps. Try it in fake German? Oh, never mind. You had to be there." ( Variety - Charles Isherwood )

"Larky, lovely, versatile Felicia Finley lights up her corners of the stage; Finley gets the evening's biggest laugh." ( Theater Mania - David Finkle )

"Felicia took the stupidest line in theatre and got one of the most drawn out laughs I've ever heard in a theare!" ( Broadwayworld.com )

"Felicia Finley (whose role is only supporting) pulls off with grand style and her jokes receive not one but two appreciative laughs." ( American Theater Web - Andy Propst )

"Finley deserves hazard pay for not only having to deliver the eveing's worst (best?) joke, but making it land squarely on target." ( Talkin' Broadway - Matthew Murrary )

"Felicia Finley and Don Stephenson stopped the show!" ( Backstage - David Rosenberg )

"Pitch perfect performances came courtesy of Felicia Finley and Don Stephenson, whose secondary romance provides much comedy throughout the evening, including on joke that got two separate rounds of applause at both performances I attended." ( That Explains Everything - Jon Blog )

"A genial subplot provided opportunity for winning performances by Don Stephenson and Felicia Finley." ( Theater Mania - Barbara and Scott Siegel)


Nights on Broadway

New Jersey Review
Atlantic Weekly Review


The Broadway Musicals of 1962

Review
Andy Propst

"Pert blonde Finley and comedic brunette Pedi had fun sending up the White House "Secret Service," and Finley showed us with the help of a long red feather boa, just how "I'm Gonna Get Him." ( BROADWAY BY THE YEAR: 1962 - Simon Saltzman )

"As if Gurwin's antics in love were not enough, Felicia Finley and Christine Pedi cut-up as presidential daughters bemoaning their constant "shadows" in "Secret Service", a tune from Irving Berlin's last musical, Mr. President. Finley, a convincing teen here, would later prove that she was equally adept at being a vamp in the little known "In the Morning" from the New Faces of 1962, sporting a skin-tight strapless floral dress and lounging provocatively on top of Patterson's piano." ( AmericanTheater Web )

"The evening was enhanced by the opportunity to savor what a prime performer Felicia Finley is. Her sexy looks on display along with her talent and zest, Finley sang "In the Morning," from "New Faces of 1962," was delightful in a duo with Pedi in "Secret Service" from Irving Berlin's critically panned "Mr. President," excelled with her solo "I'm Gonna Get Him," also from "Mr. President," and in her teaming with Gurwin for a charming offering of "Real Live Girl" from "Little Me." ( Wolf Entertainment Guide Review - William Wolf )

"To once again prove that there are a few jewels buried in every flop, that show's Secret Service was a first act highlight. It was delightfully staged and ably sung by Christine Pedi and Felicia Finley, Pedi, whose comedic talents won many fans for Forbidden Broadway also did a terrific "Miss Marmelstein" from I Can Get It For You Wholesale." ( CurtainUp Reviews - Elyse Sommer )

Alas, the moment felt anti-climactic and false rather than sweet and funny, despite Gurwin’s lovely voice. Fortunately, Felicia Finley and Christine Pedi brought the energy and the laughs right back with the adorable "The Secret Service Makes Me Nervous" from Irving Berlin’s Mr. President...

The lovely Felicia Finley showed off her range with the smooth "In The Morning"from the flop revue New Faces of 1962...

Danny Gurwin and Felicia Finley turned "Real Live Girl," from the same show, into a dream ballet. (Might have been funnier if the song were sung to Will Taylor and Eric Stretch, but any chance to see Gurwin and Finley being adorable– and dancing!– is good.)
( BroadwayWorld - Jena Tessa Fox )