Quotes

a spectacular experience of cutting-edge theater

-The Asheville Citizen Times on Pericles, Prince of Tyre -

I just witnessed the best theatre I have ever seen.

- from audience feedback on Pericles, Prince of Tyre -

...the skillfull direction...
reaches in the heart of this fanciful play and creates a beautiful and coherent dramatic world

 - The Mountain Express on Dead Man's Cell Phone -

Ron Bashford
who over the last several years has become NC Stage’s de facto first-string director
is at his best. 

 - The Mountain Express on What The Butler Saw -

Sometimes the best things in life really are free.
Case in point: the Independent Shakespeare Company's thoroughly charming revival of Much Ado About Nothing.

- The LA Times -

This is a delightful production and one not to be missed.  It breathes new life into a beloved story.

- In The Spotlight on pride@prejudice -

[the actors] ... filled the stage with vibrant life ... Crisply, sensitively and lovingly directed by Ron Bashford

The Arts, Etc. on pride@prejudice -

... nary a dull moment, and the actors seem to be having as wonderful a time as the audience

- The Arts Fuse on pride@prejudice -

I have seldom attended a production where the performers are able to make such a trusting relationship with the audience.

- The Troy Record on pride@prejudice -

I've seen a lot of theatre in Asheville in my 40 years here, and this was one of the best.

- Asheville Citizen Times on Fever/Dream -

Shakespeare came alive for me at North Carolina Stage Company.  
I have often doubted by ability to understand his dialogue... Not any more.

- Online and on Target on A Midsummer Night's Dream -

... Underpinning these fine performances is the superb direction of Ron Bashford, who keeps the play in balance from beginning to end.

- Mountain Area Information Network on Art -

... under Ron Bashford's direction (his fourth comedy for the Hangar),
the excellent pacing makes the show ...  
due to the tight ensemble work and the cast's superb comic timing

- The Ithaca Times on Don't Dress for Dinner -

AND MORE...

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

"...a luminous staging of this classic...under the excellent direction of Ron Bashford..." 
Mary Martin Niepold, Winston-Salem Journal 

HAMLET

"North Carolina Stage Company has a real winner in an unorthodox and highly rewarding staging of Shakespeare's Hamlet.  This masterpiece was never more understandable, and that, alone, is a strong tribute."  
Jim Cavener, Asheville Citizen Times.

"The acting in this Hamlet is extraordinary."   
Nicholas Holt, Mountain Express.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

"North Carolina Stage Company's second show of their inaugural season is significant theater, with a splendidly substantive narrative, fine acting and impressive musical performances. "Hedwig" evokes a full range of emotional responses."    
Jim Cavener, Asheville Citizen Times.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

"Hangar Theatre's production of The Importance of Being Earnest captures Wilde's zany logic in a skilled, gorgeously mounted show."  
Neil Novelli, The Syracuse Post-Standard.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (first production)

"This is a great evening of theatrical subtlety and grace, to which the audience took wholeheartedly… a must-see for theater-goers." 
Dan Wolfe, Shelburne News.

"…a physical, visually rich event with a deliciously haunting undercurrent… polished, innovative, and surely one of the top stage events of the season."   
Amy Rubin, Seven Days.

MACBETH (first production)

"Syracuse Stage finally gets Shakespeare right with its stunning Macbeth… Ron Bashford's direction of Syracuse Stage's Macbeth succeeds with all audiences: It's accessible, fast-moving and entertaining, and it takes enough chances to be provocative."  James MacKillop, Syracuse New Times.

"The production of Shakespeare's Macbeth at Syracuse Stage is riveting from the very opening…  Director Ron Bashford and the Macbeth ensemble deliver a show that for the most part is tightly crafted and beautifully paced… Overall, the production is colorful and immediate.  It keeps its energies, and those of the audience, closely focused on Shakespeare's most intense tragedy.  It makes for a memorable evening of theater… There are more fine touches than I can begin to mention." 
Neil Novelli, The Syracuse Post-Standard

"It is vigorously, sometimes lustily, performed.  It is stunning to see and hear. It's Syracuse Stage's Macbeth…   In short, this saga of greed, duplicity and lust for power is Shakespeare at its finest."    
Joan Vadeboncoeur, The Syracuse Post Standard.