RATED P…FOR PARENTHOOD at The Westside Theatre, Opening 2/29/12
“Rated P for Parenthood, the new musical comedy currently making its Off-Broadway debut upstairs at the Westside Theatre, is a rarity: it’s incessantly funny, consistently thoughtful, full of heart — and never once hits a dull chord. Courtney Balan and Joanna Young took on a range of moms, from one interviewing at preschools to one who is excited to drop her child off at camp so that she can be intimate with her husband. Balan was at her best when she gets a bit loony performing “Driving in D Minor” as she lets her son take her for a drive.” By Iris Wiener, Theatremania
“…sweet and wistfully funny, even for audience members who have never known the challenges of 3 a.m. feedings. There’s a touching song in which a young mother (Ms. Balan) calls on her dead mother in heaven for emotional support as her little girl goes to school for the first time.” By Anita Gates, New York Times
The four hardworking actors do an impressive job, called upon to play parents, children, doddering grandparents and more. (They) are personable and versatile.” By Steven Suskin, Variety
“Under Jeremy Dobrish’s direction, the likable Courtney Balan, Chris Hoch, David Josefsberg and Joanna Young portray parents who are alternately loving, doting and mushy. Also anxious, nerve-wracked and overprotective. The four go from scene to scene, character to character with skillful ease. All are in good voice and give extra heart to Dan Lipton and David Rossmer’s tunes, which touch on styles as varied as hip-hop, ’70s soft rock and opera.” By ELISABETH VINCENTELLI, NY Post
“Courtney Balan is excellent, particularly when singing “I’m gonna die without my roots done,” about teaching her son to drive and thinking she’s going to be in crash. When she tearfully sees off her kindergarten-age daughter on the bus, Balan proves she’s a great talent.” By Jacqueline Cutler, Tribune Media Services
“The four-person ensemble alternates between portraying children and depicting parents, though some actors transition more smoothly than others. Courtney Balan and David Josefsberg are the most believable at any age. Balan deserves a special mention, as she delicately balances humor and tenderness in every character she plays. Her voice is also the strongest of the four.” By Suzy Evans
“What’s it like to be a parent? No, what’s it really like? Is it possible to make the entire experience hilarious? Turns out it is. Somehow, the talented four-some switch partners and change ages without a hitch, and they make all the characters they play entirely believable. All the actors were good, and highly versatile, but I’ll point especially to the hilarious Courtney Balan, who often had us in stiches. When the tall Balan played a child, it was a testament both to her talent and to the audience’s willingness to follow the show’s conventions that she was completely convincing. All in all, a show very worth seeing, especially if you’re a parent.” By Timothy Childs, Iblogbroadway
“Rated P for Parenthood is fun and sometimes hilarious and has a great deal of warmth at its core. If you’ve ever wondered whether your kids will ever going to grow up — and then wondered how they grew up so fast— you’ll enjoy this production.” By Gregory Wilson, CurtainUp.com
“Courtney Balan is a find. She makes the most out of the material and her seamless range is impressive. She shines in “My son is smarter than me,” “Prayer for Ellie” and “Driving in D minor.’”- Suzanna Bowling
“ a few of the bits are pretty funny, especially “Wild Romance,” a rockin’ ode to getting it on when the kids are away, and the hysterical “Driving in D Minor,” about an anxious mom riding next to her teen son driver.” Time Out NY
The four actors who play all the roles, changing position from children to parents to grandparents, a gay couple with 3 sons (they can’t help it if they’re straight), are all wonderfully talented with good solid vocals.” By Sandi Durell, NY Theater Examiner
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INTO THE WOODS at The Alliance Theatre, summer and fall 2011
Into the Woods rises above the glut of revisionist fairy tales. Alliance Theatre production of Sondheim classic is as relevant as ever by Curt Holman@Curt_Holman September 12, 2011
While kids and grown-ups alike can enjoy Into the Woods‘ sparkling first half, the second half reveals the happily ever aftermath. Second thoughts plague some characters, while others deal with their actions’ consequences as a disaster plagues the kingdom. With death, betrayal and loss, Into the Woods has a dark, gritty finale. Most of us live neither in splendor nor squalor, but plain ordinary life. The complex relationship and problematic choices of the baker and his wife, especially in Balan and Price’s performances, reveal the truths behind sayings such as “Be careful what you wish for.”
Into the Woods – An Atlanta Theater Fans Review
Price and Balan amaze the audience with each of their numbers. They bring such life and hope to the Baker and his wife that you want them to succeed in their tasks, and, more than any of the other characters, you want them to live happily ever after.
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I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT NOW CHANGE at WBT, summer and fall 2009
LoHud.com Theatrical Review
“Balan’s second-act turn, in “The Very First Dating Video of Rose Ritz,” is nothing short of spectacular, a monologue that is as honest and bare and affecting as you’re likely to find on any stage. It comes as a revelation, sneaking up on us after an evening of laughs. Balan, a Broadway veteran is a prodigious talent, as sure of her craft as her character is unsure of herself. She takes her time, finds just the right meter, isn’t afraid of silence — and nails it.”
White Plains CNR Theatrical Rush Review by John F. Bailey
“Courtney Balan is the Complete Comedienne, mugging, madcapping, accenting, wisecracking, sending up, dialecting, wallflower, babe, single girl, torch singer in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. When (she) makes a match.com video on WBT’s widescreens, talking to a video camera, with her back to her audience, she brings down the house with laughter as she tells all her foibles and faults. (She) is the long tall brassy blonde comic standout mugging like Carol Burnett, manipulating her flawless face like Lucille Ball with perfect exaggeration, and belting like Bette Midler. She has all the best bits and rachets up the laffometer.”
WESTCHESTER BROADWAY THEATRE: I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! by Melinda O’Brien
I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts is under the excellent direction of Charles Repole. The four wonderful ensemble actors, Courtney Balan, Noel Molinelli, Jonathan Rayson and Travis Taber are quick-change artists who take on the fast-paced challenges eagerly. The fun they have on stage is contagious, as are the non-stop laughs. All are superb in their portrayals and wonderful to listen to musically under the deft musical direction of John Daniels. Courtney Balan however, deserves a bit extra recognition as the spark plug of the group and is an outstanding comedic actress that I expect to be the next Carol Burnett.
Westchester Magazine Theatre Review
“The ladies—Balan, a Broadway vet from the original cast of Cry-Baby, and Molinelli…are especially a treat to watch, wielding comedic chops one moment, then delivering tender, touching monologues the next.”
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RATED P, Midtown Direct Rep @ SOPAC, spring 2011
“‘P’ is for Perfect: New musical at SOPAC seems destined for Broadway” by Peter Filichia, The Star-Ledger
“It’s a great idea- and writers Sandy Rustin, Dan Lipton and David Rossmer have done it proud. Too bad that ‘Rated P… for Parenthood’ is only playing at the South Orange Performing Arts Center this weekend. But we’ll hear from it again. This, the first production of the new company known as Midtown Direct Rep, deserves to go directly to midtown Manhattan….What a talented foursome that able director Jeremy Dobrish has recruited. They are all equally valuable in both song and story, so listing them in alphabetical order is the only fair way to name them: Courtney Balan, Bradley Dean, David Josefsberg and Joanna Young.”
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THE EXTRAORDINARY ORDINARY, The Clurman Theatre, NYC, Fall 2010
The New York Times By NEIL GENZLINGER “That leaves you with not much to do but admire the performances of the play’s three women, Courtney Balan, Pamela Bob and Kelly McCormick. Ms. Balan and Ms. Bob provide most of the laughs — of which there aren’t nearly enough — and Ms. McCormick brings some bite to the clichéd role of the careerist with the constantly ringing cellphone.”
Clifford Lee Johnson III for Backstage “The cast wring every iota of humor and likableness out of their characters, and their splendid singing is a joy to hear. Courtney Balan, as Karen, must be singled out for her comedic skills and her ability to find depth in a role that could easily generate a one-note portrayal. “
Jennifer Farrar Associated Press “Courtney Balan‘s fine singing and comedic timing give some much-needed verve to the central character, Karen, who defines her life by the fact that she’s still single, even though all her friends proclaim her to be ‘a great catch’.”
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THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, Capital Repertory Theatre, Summer 2010
The Record, Troy, NYBy Bob Goepfert
Most successful in the attempt to make a character you can care about is Courtney Balan who plays Missy. She’s the peacemaker who in the first act wants everyone to be happy. Played in a comfortable self-conscious manner, Missy passes for a mature presence within the group. In the second act, which takes place in 1968, 10 years after act one, she is more confident but still naive and endearing.”
The Times Union by Michael Eck
ALBANY – Capital Repertory Theatre’s summer slot is usually reserved for something lightweight, frothy and fun.
This year’s entry, “The Marvelous Wonderettes” fits that bill to a tee, and one of the most charming aspects of the piece is its sheer lack of ambition. It’s not trying to be much more than silly, and it succeeds. The cast all has experience with the show and it shows, not only in the deft portrayals, but also in the fine singing. The comedy comes fast, with plenty of kneeslappers and groaners that are surprisingly funny and refreshing….What really makes “Wonderettes” zing is the talent level of the ensemble and the offstage backing band (led by keyboardist Brian Baker). All four women deliver the goods…Courtney Balan as Missy offers a number of little operatic blasts throughout the show and impresses with “Wedding Bell Blues” and “You Don’t Own Me.”
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UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 25th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT, Ann Arbor, MI. March, 2009
Mlive.com, By Jennifer A. McKee
“Fittingly, the evening began with a world premiere – “A Michigan Overture,” arranged by Sam Davis (’98), which combined “The Victors” with songs from past U-M productions – followed by a production number from Andrew Lippa’s (’87) “The Wild Party.” And while this meticulously planned concert wasn’t exactly wild, it was fun, and often moving. Highlights included Courtney Balan‘s hysterical take on “Getting Married Today” from Sondheim’s “Company”…”
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OKLAHOMA! at Oklahoma Lyric Theatre, summer 2007
Theatrical Review, The Oklahoman
“Courtney Balan (Ado Annie) and Amir Arison (Ali Hakim) offer two of the funniest characterizations I’ve seen. Balan is a fearless performer, a trait that informs her characterization.”
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I LOVE YOU BECAUSE off-broadway, 2006
NY TIMES THEATER REVIEW When Searching for Love, Don’t Forget Your Calculator, by Neil Genzlinger
“The young team of Joshua Salzman (music) and Ryan Cunningham (book and lyrics) has somehow managed to take a premise that should have had no redeeming value and fill it with wit and zest. A likable six-member cast with an abundance of comic instinct and no weak voices helps, as does a skilled band under Jana Zielonka….Courtney Balan and Jordan Leeds as multipurpose characters are just as appealing as the principals…”
TALKIN’ BROADWAY Review
“Courtney Balan is funny and endearing in a variety of small roles.”
