Tommy as Bobby Strong in "Urinetown" at The Seacoast Repertory Theatre
New musical at The Rep delivers laughs
"Director Bill Humphreys assembled a truly stellar cast for this local production, utilizing actors whose vocal capacities are complemented by their comedic abilities. Peiffer as Ms. Pennywise and Labanaris as Bobby Strong, especially, demonstrate natural timing and expressive body language in their singing and acting." -Matt Kanner, THE WIRE, NH
'Urinetown' breaks Broadway musical formula at The Rep
"Tommy Labanaris (Bobby Strong) and Christine Dulong (Hope Cladwell) are the versatile romantic leads. Labanaris and Dulong have wonderful voices and act and dance with finesse and skill. Their duet "Follow Your Heart" is funny and captivating. Dulong's character mirrors that of Dorothy, mocking the wholesomeness of the "There's no place like home theme" and Labanaris' movements add physical comedy to almost every line."
-Susan West Chamberlin, Portsmouth HERALD, SPOTLIGHT
Urinetown
"Among the cast, Merrill Peiffer and Tommy Labanaris anchor this production as Penelope Pennywise and the play's doomed hero Bobby Strong, with exceptionally strong vocal and physical performances."
-K.Gardner, NewHampshireTheater.org
Tommy as Sparky in "Plaid Tidings" at The Armory Dinner Theatre
'Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings' puts reviewer in holiday mood
"But it is the brilliant, quirky humor of Tommy Labanaris, as baritone Sparky, who adds consistent bits of wit and comedic charm to the whole evening. Never over stepping or drawing focus, he is utterly charming and endearing."
-Bill Beard, THE MESSENGER, Janesville, WI
Tommy as Snail in the 1st National Tour of "A Year with Frog and Toad"
'A Year with Frog and Toad': Thank goodness for Snail!
"Although the show at the Flynn Center on Sunday, Oct. 28, was a musical, not a dance concert, and although it was all about Frog and Toad, everyone I spoke with agreed: The most memorable part was Snail and his dance. Sinuously making his way across stage, each step seemingly twice as long as his six-foot (5'10 1/2"...must have been the boots) undulating frame, persisting through spring, summer, winter, fall on his slow but steady mission to deliver a letter between the two featured animal friends – Tommy Labanaris coalesced choreography and execution into a full-bodied endearing portrayal."
-Tarin Chaplin, TIMES ARGUS, Burlington, VT
Snail is real star of 'Frog and Toad'
"As good as Satrom and Cohen were, they were upstaged by the wiry-limbed Labanaris as the snail. His oversized leg movements and facial expressions in portraying a slowpoke were too cute. The audience obviously approved: He received applause every time he left the stage, even if was after just a few seconds onstage. Looks like physical comedy is in his nature.
-Mark Lowry, STAR-TELEGRAM, Fort Worth, TX
'Frog and Toad' brings book to life
“The show's choreography, meanwhile is pretty involved. Tommy Labanaris does some very Fosse-like moves as Snail, the slow-moving mail carrier. To lurch across the stage he does a slo-mo "Chicago," suggesting it's going to take forever for the letter from Frog to reach Toad." -Bruce R. Miller, Sioux City JOURNAL
Amphibious laughter
“The quintet is rounded out by the rubber-limbed Tommy Labanaris (Snail) and amiable ensemble players, Leanne Consalvo and Laura Yanez.”
-Matt Wake, upstatetoday.com
A Year with Frog and Toad
“The lovable Snail, who spends the entire show trying to deliver a letter at his own very, very slow pace, brings the house down with his solo ‘I’m Coming Out of My Shell.’ ”
-Victoria Theatre, Dayton, OH
Tommy as Ethan in Worcester Foothills' "The Full Monty"
‘The Full Monty’ great fun
“Foothills Theatre Company’s “The Full Monty” serves up a feast of such unbridled pleasure that one hardly knows where to begin to unravel the litany of superlatives that yesterday’s scintillating performance merits."
"Steve DeBruyne is wonderful as the mama’s boy, Malcolm, and he and Tommy Labanaris, a whacky riot as the Donald O’Connor-obsessed Ethan, team up poignantly on “You Walk With Me.” -Paul Kolas, WORCESTER TELEGRAM & GAZETTE
Foothills goes all the way in ‘The Full Monty’
“The supporting roles and fellow strippers equal the exceptional performance by these two leading actors. Steve DeBruyne artfully plays the wimpy Malcolm MacGregor. Tommy Labanaris eats up the physical schtick of Ethan Girard."
-Chet Williamson, WORCESTER MAGAZINE
'The Full Monty' is Great Fun...& that's the naked truth!
"This production should be a big hit on Front Street in Worcester. As good as the acting is, the voices are even better. Steve DeBruyne’s Malcolm offers a crystal clear farewell hymn at his mother’s funeral, joined by Ethan (Tommy Labanaris) as they hold hands for "You Walk With Me." -Nancy Grossman, broadwayworld.com
Tommy in APAC's Off-Off Broadway Award winning "Life After High School?"
'Is There Life After High School?'
“After more than two decades, the APAC production proved that Is There Life After High School? is superb entertainment, as timely as ever. Within a few scenes, it was apparent that the nine performers in Is There Life After High School? had extraordinary talent and professional polish. Each one had their share of memorable moments…”
“…Robert McAffrey, James Mack and Tommy Labanaris made a handsome comic trio as they deliriously recalled the joys of spending Saturday nights with a six pack of ‘Beer.’ -John Kenrick, musicals101.com
Tommy in APAC's "Lucky Stiff"
'Lucky Stiff'
“T.J. D'Angelo (Vinnie), Greg Horton (Luigi), Tommy Labanaris (various roles, including numerous waiters and bellhops), and especially Laura Daniel (Rita) lend expert support. The ambiance at APAC suits this intimate musical perfectly; there's a community theatre feel here that doesn't usually happen at comparably sized Manhattan venues, yet this is an Equity showcase with the level of professionalism that that implies.” -Martin Denton, nytheatre.com
