reviews

   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 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." who provides the devilish costumes as well as portraying the Hispanic character Juan, carries a pivotal scene where the truth about his family is revealed and instead of reflecting God's love it shows the capriciousness of life.  He leaves it all on the stage, careening from anguished sobs to platitudes of spiritual positivism."

'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. Labanaris' movements add physical comedy to almost every line"

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."

   Tommy as Old Joe in "A Christmas Carol" at North Shore Music Theatre                                   

A Christmas Carol at North Shore Music Theatre

"Another comic scene in the future segment is the Old Joe sequence. This role is played wonderfully by Tommy Labanaris who doles out the money to Mrs. Dilber as they sing "Isn't It Grand, Boys?"

An opulent & exciting 'Christmas Carol' at North Shore Music Theatre

"Cheryl McMahon, as Scrooge's bewildered housekeeper, really shines in the English music hall-style number "Isn't It Grand, Boys?" as she sells Scrooge's intimate belongings to Old Joe, well played by Tommy Labanaris.

A Christmas Carol at North Shore Music Theatre

" Once in the theater, I found the mood overwhelmingly anticipatory. Refreshments were at the ready and all patrons were amiable. Many were talking inquisitively about any changes they may find in this performance over last year's. While engaging in a few of these conversations, a little murmur arose and an entourage of carolers in period dress came out to sing to the waiting masses. That was quite lovely and appreciated."

   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 October 28 was a musical, not a dance concert, and 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 the stage, each step seemingly twice as long as his undulating frame, persisting through Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall on his slow but stead mission to deliver a letter between the two featured animal friends - Tommy Labanaris coalesced choreography and execution into a full-bodied endearing portrayal."

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 Sancho Panza in "Man of La Mancha" at Seacoast Repertory Theater                       

Seacoast updates classic 'Man of La Mancha'

"Tommy Labanaris is pitch perfect as Sancho, Cervantes/Quixote's sidekick. His Sancho is endearing, his comedic timing always spot-on and natural, and his resonant vocals soar."

   Tommy as Sparky in "Plaid Tidings" at The Armory Dinner Theatre                                            

'Forever Plaid Presents: 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, his is utterly charming and endearing."

   Tommy as Jesus in "Godspell" with Maui OnStage at The Historic Iao Theater                         

Potent Parables of Faith

"Tommy Labanaris' Jesus exudes goodwill and compassion, but we also see the concern and conflict rippling beneath the surface.  "All For The Best" - Jesus' one and only tap dancing number - brings the house down. 

Maui OnStage's witty, whimsical "Godspell" bursts with life.

This is a rollicking, roller-coaster of a show.  The cliche "I laughed.  I cried" really does apply."                                                                                    

                                                                                        -Marnie Masuda, THE MAUI NEWS 

   Tommy as Howie Newsome in "Our Town" at The Seacoast Repertory Theatre                        

OUR TOWN

"The supporting cast - among them Rep veterans John Flynn, Joshua Paul Moore, Tommy Labanaris and  Joanne Dodge - does a fine job of attuning and integrating themselves  into the fabric of life in Grover's Corners, realizing a rich panoply of characters who are warm and real and convincing in and of themselves, coming together as one to show an unassuming yet thriving New England town, one with a vibrant, steadfast heart that is powered by the hopes, dreams, and desires by these good, plain folk.                                                       

                                                                                              -Michael Curtiss, CAUGHT IN THE ACT!

A Small Town Life

"Director Jon Kimbell takes this large cast and operates it like a well-oiled machine.  Each piece works together to get the whole machine working.  There are more than a dozen small parts, but they're all just as important to the success of the show as the leading characters, and each is played masterfully.       

                                                                                         -Scarlett Ridgway Savage, THE WIRE, NH

"Tommy Labanaris' simple but complex characters sit right under your skin.  The ones that make you shiver, shudder - pity?  The kind that prompt a knee-jerk embrace and tears down your face.

Labanaris also manages a little magic in the script's weakest triumvirate, "The 'logues."                                         

                                                                                    -Tamara Le, Portsmouth HERALD SPOTLIGHT

'Altar Boyz' shakes The Rep (in a great way!)

"Labanaris, who provides the devilish costumes as well as portraying the Hispanic character Juan, carries a pivotal scene where the truth about his family is revealed and instead of reflecting God's love it shows the capriciousness of life.  He leaves it all on the stage, careening from anguished sobs to platitudes of spiritual positivism."

                                                      -Susan West Chamberlain, Portsmouth HERALD SPOTLIGHT 

 Altar Boyz

"Whether they're singing their hearts out with ridiculous double entendres, moving to the beat with religiously infused hand gestures—or both—all five performers bring their A-games to this clever pop musical."

"Pulling double duty as costume designer, Labanaris outfits the group in appropriately over-the-top boy band gear."

                                                                                                         -Matthew Small, Talkin' Broadway

   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 "Lucky Stiff" at Astoria Performing Arts Center                                                              

'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 that doesn't usually happen at comparably sized Manhattan venues, yet this is an Equity showcase with the level of professionalism that that implies.