The Originals
Press Praise
“One
of greater Portland’s too often overlooked treasures is The Originals, run by
Dana Packard and Jennifer Porter. Go
see their production of The Crucible this weekend and you may become one of
their regulars...”
-Forecaster
“Dana
Packard and his superbly directed cast are worthy of a better house, higher
ticket prices, and a bigger budget. Tune
in to The 1940’s Radio Hour. It
will knock your socks off...”
-Casco
Bay Weekly
“Co-directors
Dana Packard and Jennifer Porter once again prove their mettle in pulling
together a large-cast production...”
-Courier
“Crimes
of the Heart calls for strong female leads, and The Originals, under the skilled
direction of Dana Packard, are a strong enough troupe to supply them...”
-Portland
Press Herald
“The
Originals, under the direction of Dana Packard and Jennifer Porter are a big hit
in Bar Mills. The company has seen
its recognition factor inch up in the press and their productions have been
routinely critically acclaimed. A
trip to see this young company in action is highly recommended...”
-Portland
Press Herald
“Hair,
as produced by Jennifer Porter and Dana Packard, is definitely a trip worth
taking..”
-Portland
Press Herald
“If
it weren’t for all the electricity and skilled comic timing, you’d think
Dana Packard’s method of direction would have been to simply load up his
off-beat performers on gallons of coffee and let choreographer Jennifer Porter
spring ‘em loose in the Land of Oz. The
truth, of course, is that it took a lot of hard work to make the musical anarchy
appear as easy as clicking your heels three times...”
-Journal
Tribune
“Under
Dana Packard’s swift, fearless directing style, a cast of five inhabits the
stage and gives the Pewsies their cursed flesh and bad blood...Coyote Ugly is
superbly acted and directed...Pay the Pewsies a visit.
Just don’t invite them home for dinner.”
-Journal
Tribune
“This
is terrific. A total
success...Packard and Porter have done a remarkable job.
This production of Hair cannot be praised enough...Run, don’t walk to
Bar Mills to catch this life-filled production...”
-Journal
Tribune
“Skillfully
directed by Dana Packard, The Originals staging of Ten Little Indians was played
with all the frightening innuendo intended by the author of this classic
thriller.”
-Portland
Press Herald
“Directed
by Jennifer Porter, who also did the choreography, Superstar is a show that will
surprise many. Porter, along with
husband Dana Packard, has once again assembled one of the finest ensembles in
Maine.”
-Journal
Tribune
“The
Originals’ production of Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Jennifer Porter
and Dana Packard, is sensational. The
singing and comedy routines are first rate.
The darker side; battered women, and inner city decay, is handled
honestly and sensitively...The outstanding mix of talent makes this show one
more winner for The Originals.”
-Portland
Press Herald
“Director
Dana Packard has once again pulled together an impressive ensemble which takes
this difficult work [Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean]
through its paces. With less
capable folk, this would not be the appealing stage experience it is.”
-Journal
Tribune
“Directed
by Dana Packard, Wait Until Dark moves at a bracing but well-controlled pace;
the tension between action and suspense constantly mounting. The show played to an enthusiastic full house in this
out-of-the-way venue that is developing a dedicated audience in part due to
productions such as this one.
-Portland
Press Herald
“Credit
(and she deserves a great deal) for the choreography goes to Jennifer Porter.
Almost every number has movement and/or dancing of some kind.
Porter deserves the highest praise for the obvious time and work spent on
this musical.”
-Journal
Tribune
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