Acting Reviews

Reviews for Directing appear at the bottom of the page

Candide, Music Theater Works (formerly Light Opera Works)

"Gary Alexander does an expert job in the dual role of the narrator (Voltaire) and Dr. Pangloss."
Highly Recommended
Chicago Sun-Times
Hedy Weiss, June 5, 2017

“Gary Alexander, a Music Theater Works veteran, negotiated the demanding dual role with a verbal, vocal and dramatic acuity that kept the pace brisk...  I missed the wry irony others have brought to this wordy part, but with stage presence this good, who's complaining?"
Three Stars
Chicago Tribune
John von Rhein, June 5, 2017

“‘Candide’ is more of an opera than a musical and at the opening we meet Voltaire (brilliantly played by Gary Alexander, who also portrays Voltaire’s alter-ego Pangloss).
Five Stars, Highly Recommended
Around the Town
Alan Bresloff, June 4, 2017

“The excellent principals include Gary Alexander as the patter-singing narrator Voltaire… .”
(List of “Reader Recommended” Shows to See Now).
Chicago Reader
Albert Williams, June 8, 2017

“Gary Alexander, as Voltaire, did terrific work as the narrator and used his smooth voice effectively. Alexander anchored the story and kept the pace moving coherently.”
Highly Recommended
ChicagoCritic.com
Tom Wiulliams, June 3, 2017

“Gary Alexander is outstanding doubling as Doctor Pangloss and the story’s narrator, a stand-in for Voltaire.”
Three Stars
Chicagoland Theatre Review
Dan Zeff, June 4, 2017

“Talented Equity guest artist Gary Alexander, who has become a much-welcome face at ShawChicago, plays the tireless, dual narrative roles of Voltaire and Dr. Pangloss with panache and authority. But, not only are his two characterizations filled with fun and youthful authority, Mr. Alexander demonstrates his own splendid, well-trained vocal skills. 
Chicago Theatre Review
Colin Douglas, June 6, 2017

Devil's Disciple, ShawChicago

"Gary Alexander is smashing as the cynical savior, Dick Dudgeon. He relishes and recites all the wit and wisdom of Shaw’s dialogue, emphasizing and enjoying every nuance of the character."
Highly Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review
Colin Douglas, October 20, 2017

"The cast, directed by Robert Scogin, is so good it hurts—you’ll wish you could see them do more..."
Reader Recommended
Chicago Reader
Max Maller, October 20, 2017

Jeeves Intervenes, ShawChicago

“Director Robert Scogin's minimalist production conveys both the verbal wit and fast-paced physical humor of the story, thanks to selectively staged movement and, especially, the superb cast's deft delivery of Wodehouse's whimsically eccentric dialogue.”
Reader Recommended
Chicago Reader
Albert Williams, Dec.1, 2016

Misalliance, ShawChicago

 “Gary Alexander, usually cast as one of the many Shaw oddballs, this time shows his serious side, assaying the autobiographical character with depth, nuance and conviction.”
Theater and Film 
Paul Kuritz, September 2016

Geneva, ShawChicago

" The Judge (smartly played by Gary Alexander) describes the coming trial...Clinger, Young and Alexander are especially strong in the roles of the Jew, the Widow and the Judge."
Gaper's Block
Nancy Bishop, Sept. 9, 2015

Major Barbara, ShawChicago

"Michell has invited the prodigal father to the house to get more money for Stephen’s sisters;  Sarah (played by Jhenai Mootz) and Barbara (played by Barbara Zahora). Mootz is engaged to marry Charles Lomax (played by Gary Alexander).  Michell believes Lomax to be worthless for a decade until he comes into his family’s money.  Alexander deliciously lives up to Michell’s description with ongoing foot-in-mouth hilarity. "
The Fourth Walsh
Katy Walsh, May 5, 2015

“Gary Alexander again turns in a hilarious performance, as Cholly Lomax, the driveling fiancé of Undershaft’s younger daughter, a fellow in perpetual search of a clue. Like Mr. Alexander, Richard Marlatt can be expected to turn in an eye-opening performance and he does so again with the painfully earnest middle-aged unemployed worker, Peter Shirley. With both Alexander and Marlatt, one knows you are going to enjoy the performance, the fun is discovering how they will do it this time.”
Theater and Film
Paul Kurtiz, April 28, 2015

 “Other strong performances come from the always entertaining Gary Alexander, as a charmingly delightful, continually befuddled Charles Lomax”
Chicago Theatre Review
Colin Douglas, May 2, 2015

The Importance of Being Earnest, ShawChicago

“ShawChicago is a gem in Chicago theater -- a place where the works of George Bernard Shaw are thoughtfully directed and performed in a concert reading with zest and respect for what Shaw intended. This is not easy to do but Scogin's actors make it happen while honoring Shaw's words and spirit. As it turns out, ShawChicago shines the same talents on the works of Oscar Wilde. This play is a favorite of the spousal unit so we were delighted by the wonderful acting but special kudos to Mary Michell for a perfect Lady Bracknell and to Gary Alexander for the ideal Algernon.”
A Dramatic Dozen, A Baker’s Dozen That Is!
Mara Tapp, February 2015

Man and Superman, ShawChicago

“Octavius Robinson is played by the amazing Gary Alexander. If Mr. Marlatt has an endless supply of cocksure moralists, Mr. Alexander has a bag equally full of winsome, sensitive, heartbroken, and fearful young men. He is a joy to watch as the man ill-suited to marry any woman.”
Theater and Film
Paul Kuritz, Apr. 28, 2014

Saint Joan, ShawChicago

“The Dauphin, the object of Joan’s mission, usually finds himself played either as a fop or a fool. Not so with Gary Alexander. His Dauphin is too familiar – the guy at work no one can stand, but who has, deep down underneath it all, something in the image of God. His performance hits all the necessary notes, and discovers some new moving ones."
Theater and Film
Paul Kuritz, Feb. 3, 2014

Mrs. Warren’s Profession, ShawChicago

“The animated Gary Alexander charms with his philandering.  Alexander is ‘ever so’ hilarious strategizing his own version of sex for hire.”
Chicago Theater Beat
Katy Walsh, 26 April 2012 

Mirandolina, Noble Fool Theater

“The richest, most nuanced performance of the evening…an exquisite accomplishment.”
Chicago Reader
Justin Hayford, April 19, 2002 

[Complete] "Unfortunately the strictness of social place--one of the salient features of Goldoni's world, and one from which much of his comedy springs--is barely sketched in this wholly Americanized production, flattening his social critique.  While Mirandolina, who represents the emerging merchant class, has some freedom to maneuver among castes, the nobility and servants do not.  Yet only Gary Alexander as Count Albafiorita's servant seems steeped in the psychology of a past century, exuding abject servitude in every glance and gesture.  Unlike the other actors portraying servants, who claim as much stage space as their masters while fishing for laughs, Alexander makes a concerted and hilarious effort to render himself invisible, though all the while his character is aching to jump into the action to rescue his foolish master from himself.  In his quiet, restrained portrayal we see the servant's contradictory feelings for the count, a blowhard whom he inexplicably adores.  It's the richest, most nuanced performance of the evening, and an exquisite accomplishment given that Alexander has exactly two lines."
Chicago Reader
Justin Hayford, April 19, 2002 

“Gary Alexander’s fastidious valet shines.”
Chicago Sun-Times
Andrew Patner, April 10, 2002

“Some of the best laughs come from wry performances by Michael Govier and Gary Alexander as a pair of servants to the baron and the count.  The delicious comic bits injected by [these] two further enrich a production that had the opening night crowd chuckling all evening.”
Copley News Service
Dan Zeff, April 11, 2002

Carnival, Light Opera Works

"…a tremendously appealing, unforced performance"
Chicago Sun-Times
Hedy Weiss, June 7, 2005

Candide, Light Opera Works

“Fine, campy work.”
Chicago Sun-Times
Hedy Weiss, August 16, 2004

“Gary Alexander perfectly conveys lavender Max’s narcissistic self-absorption.”
Chicago Free Press
Lawrence Bommer, August 23, 2004

Vikings: A Musical in Two Axe, Noble Fool Theater

“Gary Alexander is wonderful as Bolverk.”
Gay Chicago Magazine
Venus Zarris, February 25, 2003

“Gary Alexander does deadpan wonders with a gay stereotype.”
Chicago Tribune
Michael Phillips, February 11, 2003

Lion in Winter, Rising Moon Theatre

“The rest of Scogin’s cast does solid work, particularly Gary Alexander as young John… .”
PerformInk
Kevin Heckman, October 24, 2003

The Secret Fall of Constance Wilde, Ulysses Theatre

“Gary Alexander is splendid as Lord Alfred.”
Chicago Tribune
Chris Jones, October 9, 2000

“Gary Alexander…is sylph-like and seductive as Douglas; more than any other element, the rake draws us head first into the play.”
Chicago Free Press
Jennifer Vanasco, October 18, 2000

“As the rakish, self-loathing Douglas, Gary Alexander turns in the most charismatic performance…”
Chicago Reader
Justin Hayford, October 13, 2000

“…three very fine performers…particularly Gary Alexander as Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas…”
New City
Ben Winters, October 12, 2000

The Memorandum, Stage Left Theatre

“Gary Alexander as office-language instructor Lear [is] marvelously focused and intricate.”
Chicago Reader
Brian Nemtusak , May 18, 2001

 “Gary Alexander [is] wonderfully insane as the teacher.”
Chicago Sun-Times
Hedy Weiss, May 17, 2001

Bad Dream, part of Time Capsule:  Rediscovered Performances from the Epidemic (1989-1994), About Face Theatre

“Gary Alexander and Michael Reyes act as naturally as two men breathing.”
Chicago Sun-Times
Andrew Patner, December 1, 1999

Directing Reviews

The Music Cure, Misalliance Repertory Theatre

“An utter delight”
The Dueling Critics, The Arts Section, WDCB, August 22, 2021

 “In Shaw’s own subtitle, the play is A Piece of Utter Nonsense. But in director Gary Alexander’s radio version, it’s also a sheer delight for three actors, set off with the nimble piano work of Tom Bachtell (you may know him best from his caricatures for the New Yorker).”

 “Crisp and stiletto-sharp, precisely what Shaw requires.”
Chicago Reader
Kerry Reid, August 26, 2021 

The Doctor’s Dilemma, ShawChicago

“…A beautifully spoken performance under the direction of Gary Alexander.”
Chicago Reader
(List of “Reader Recommended” Shows to See Now
Albert Williams, March 29, 2019

 “Theatergoers can once again revel in a delicious symphony of voices. A talented cast of ten professional actors, under the wise and wonderful direction of Gary Alexander, are treating audiences to the wit and wisdom of George Bernard Shaw’s biting comedy…”

“As with all ShawChicago productions, Gary Alexander adds his expertise to a production that celebrates the music of the spoken word. He’s assembled and directed a gifted cast of actors, all of whom understand the beauty and power they wield in a concert reading.”

“Highly Recommended”
Chicago Theatre Review
Colin Douglas, March 29, 2019