INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL REVIEWS
Heading the pack is Leading Player, a cross between a ring-master, Shakespeare's First Player and the Emcee from Cabaret, realised with boundless zest by Gabrielle McClinton. -The Sydney Morning Herald
Gabrielle McClinton, who is a veteran of the role on Broadway, is a powerhouse as the Leading Player, the absolute exemplar of the ‘triple threat’. -Time Out
Gabrielle McClinton is striking and highly impressive as Leading Player, a ringmaster of sorts, delivering a portrayal that is precise, unyieldingly energetic and brilliantly nuanced. -Suzy Go See
Gabrielle McClinton also stands out as the mysterious Leading Player who manipulates the action to suit her own shady agenda – Gabrielle belts out a tune with the best of them but tones it down when appropriate, bringing light and shade to this character that also requires a fine degree of technical dance skills, delivered with aplomb by Ms. McClinton. -Star Observer
Gabrielle Mcclinton devours the role of the Leading Player…She slinks and struts embodying Fosse’s style and sexuality. She sings like a dream. Her American experience brings a Broadway level of chutzpah to the story. -State of the Art
As the Leading Player, McClinton is spectacular. It is difficult to take your eyes off her whenever she takes the stage. She brings an otherworldly quality to her portrayal of the mysterious character. She’s lithe on her feet (her performance of the ‘Manson Trio’ in Act 1 is especially deft) and her presence ensures that her command of the space is never in doubt, and this is critical for a performer to succeed in this tricky role. And when it comes to her singing, she showcases both strength and tone. -Theatre People
"In this play within a play, the Leading Player (the sinuous Gabrielle McClinton) opens the show, shimmying and shoulder-shaking and commanding the stage with the fierce edge of a director who can fire you the minute the next young ingénue comes along. I’m struck by the hollow cynicism of the musical, illustrated by the deliberate biting edge of McClinton’s gorgeous Leading Player." -Boston Globe
"Leading the way is the gorgeous and brilliantly talented Gabrielle McClinton as Leading Player. She's got charisma and stage presence to spare and is a pleasure to watch. Her voice is perfect and when she is called upon to break out the Fosse choreography, she wields her hips like a deadly weapon. Her acting is also top-notch when she is called upon to deliver the character's more sinister side in the play's final scenes." -Broadway World
"As our primary storyteller, the charisma and power with which she moved, sang and danced demanded attention. Whenever she was onstage, eyes flew to her—" DC Metro Theater Arts
"Gabrielle McClinton, as Johnny's rebellious girlfriend, delivers a performance ripe with wit and tenderness, and then leads the women through “Letterbomb” with Amazonian fury." -St. Louis Today
"Stunning Broadway rookie,Gabrielle McClinton in the role of Whatsername, was completely mesmerizing – making it almost impossible to take an eye or ear off her, as she effortlessly sent chills amongst the crowd." -AskMissa
Gabrielle McClinton (Anita) received the most electric ovation of the night. She possesses chiseled mezzo together with an ability to spit out text both clearly and with nonchalance. On stage, she always seemed to be in control of herself and of her circumstances. Her Anita was so comfortable in her skin, so at home in her sensuality, so unsparing in her common sense. McClinton’s ability to reveal Anita’s power ensured that the “simulated” rape scene perpetrated by the Jets as she tried to save Tony from imminent death was arguably the most powerful, disturbing, shocking scene of the night.
-Operawire.com
"McClinton’s Molly is...brave, inquisitive, independent and unabashedly brilliant."
-OC Register
"McClinton returns to her SoCal roots following Broadway and National Tour stints and she could not be a sassier or more charming Molly."
-StageSceneLA