Les Misérables - Air Guitar - Sarah, Plain and Tall - Hello Dolly - joy - The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Spare Change - Children of Eden - The Last Five Years - I Got Merman - Sarah, Plain and Tall - Jekyll & Hyde - A Little Night Music - Cabaret - Tintypes

 

Reviews for Les Misérables - 2006 (Ensemble, u/s Mme Thénardier)

Becca appears in the current Broadway production of the show at the Broadhurst Theatre.

Interestingly, some of the members of the ensemble prove most impressive. The female chorus is especially strong, whether as prostitutes singing "Lovely Ladies" or as the mothers and wives of the lost students singing "Turning." They alone seem to grasp the glowing humanity at the heart of this show.

Martin Denton, nytheatre.com

Reviews for Air Guitar - 2006 (Celeste)

Becca starred as Celeste in the show's 2006 Fringe Festival NY premiere production.

"Becca Ayers, who plays Celeste, does an especially good job, slaying the crowd with her solo piece in the second act about entertainment."

Eric Hanson, about.com: Heavy Metal

"Becca Ayers (late of Broadway's Avenue Q) is multi-layered and glowing as Drew's pregnant and pressuring wife, Celeste."

Katie Riegel, Broadway.com

Reviews for Sarah, Plain and Tall - 2006 (Sarah)

Becca returned to the role of Sarah for another TheatreworksUSA production at the Lucille Lortel.

"Ayers makes a striking heroine, mastering both Sarah's genuine kindness and her insecure need to be liked."

Mark Blankenship, Variety

"Becca Ayers gives a spirited portrayal of Sarah..."

Laurel Graeber, New York Times

"In the title role, Becca Ayers is... indestructibly spunky, taking on each personal rejection by Anna and Jacob as a challenge to win their friendship. Quirky and good-humored, she's a fine example for the kids of someone who's not afraid to be who she is."

Michael Dale, BroadwayWorld.com

"Becca Ayers embraces this role and accepts the traits as if they were her own...Ayers is both secure in the awkward skin of Sarah and emboldened by her character's idiosyncrasies. It is as if by each successive rejection, she becomes more confident of her identity."

Jo Ann Rosen, nytheatre.com

"Becca Ayers, slightly reminiscent of a tall Cate Blanchett, perfectly captures the awkward tomboyish Sarah, who refuses to change for anyone in her affecting performance of 'Is it me you want to kiss?'"

Time Out NY

"The incomparable Becca Ayers returns to the role of Sarah with grit, determination and a clarion voice that serves Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin's tuneful score beautifully."

David Hurst, Next

Reviews for Hello, Dolly - 2005 (Irene Malloy)

This show played at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma in July 2005.

"Mrs. Molloy was played by Becca Ayers with her strong soprano voice."

Libby Price, Midcity Advocate

"Another positive addition is Becca Ayers as Mrs. Molloy. Ayers and [Greg] White are magic in their respective roles, with a fine chemistry between them."

Russ Pollock, Gayly Oklahoman

"Becca Ayers offers a marvelous performance as hat shop owner Irene Malloy and Oklahoma City native Renee Anderson is a delight as her assistant Minnie Fay. Ayers does a wonderful job with 'Ribbons Down My Back,' and the two are hilarious as they perform with Struthers in 'Motherhood.' They also have some fine moments with White and McLean as they explain 'Elegance,' and their work as they worry over dinner at the Harmonia Gardens is superb."

Bob Smith, Edmond Sun

"Ayers donned one of her hats and sang Irene Malloy's lovely signature ballad 'Ribbons Down My Back.' Like Greg White, a tall and forceful performer, Ayers added a refreshing shading to the role of Irene Molloy, suggesting that she, too, like Dolly, knew what she wanted, rather than the usual subdued interpretation. The duet by White and Ayers on 'It Only Takes A Moment' left a gorgeous, indelible impression."

Clif Warren, Edmond Life and Leisure

Reviews for joy - 2005 (Elsa)

This show played at the Producer's Club in February 2005.

"But Doran is adorable and he and Sloan are a delight together, as are Ayers and Johnson who display their impressive singing and rake in laughs as a lesbian couple."

David Hurst, Next Magazine

 

Reviews for The Mystery of Edwin Drood - 2004 (Drood)

This show played at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis in December 2004.

"My favorite is the final number, The Writing on the Wall, which was sung by the great Betty Buckley in the original cast and is given almost equal excellence by Becca Ayers, who is one of those gifted performers who stands out in any cast."

Harry Hamm, KMOX-AM

"Becca Ayers plays the trans-gendered rold of Edwin Drood with spirit..."

Steve Allen, KFUO-FM

"Perfect Strangers, the score's sole standout ballad, is attractively performed by...Kelly Sullivan...and Becca Ayers."

Dennis Brown, Riverfront Times

 

Reviews for Spare Change - 2004 (Cynistine)

This show played at the New York International Fringe Festival in August 2004.

"Becca Ayers, as a young ad exec, is the cog pin of the talented squad of actors in this piece. Like the play itself, her character swings wildly through a range of emotional, moral, and conceptual states, through which Ayers is able to exhibit her effortless control."

Steve Chasey, nytheatre.com

 

Reviews for Children of Eden - 2004 (Eve, Mama Noah)

Becca starred in the Ford's Theatre production of Stephen Schwartz's classic musical in Washington, DC.

"Ayers, who plays both Eve and Mrs. Noah, is a pleasing presence and a vocal powerhouse."

Peter Marks, Washington Post

"Ayers displays an immense amount of range throughout the piece and has a voice that simply soars."

Tracy Lyon, Talkin' Broadway

"Both Cassidy and Ayers are moving actors who wear their roles well... Ayers is outstanding as Eve. Her first solo, 'The Spark of Creation,' is a tiny musical miracle, showcasing Ayers' vocal nuances and pop belt."

Jolene Munch, Metro Weekly

"As Eve, Becca Ayers sings with such utter conviction that the sounds very nearly solidify into a physical shape with a specific weight and matter."

Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun

"It has the most infectious cast seen in many a day with full throated voices who manage beautiful articulation so every word of the script can be understood. Bradley Dean (Father/God), Becca Ayers (Eve/Mama) and Joe Cassidy (Adam/Noah) are super magnificent in their singing and acting with the biggest showstopper, of which there are many, by Ms. Ayers belting 'Ain't It Good?'"

Bob Anthony, Foggy Bottom News

"Standouts in the cast include Becca Ayers as Eve. Her voice is amazing and her delivery pulls the humor out of each line. When Eve bids farewell in her death scene it is actually quite touching."

Rich See, CurtainUp

"Becca Ayers, who plays Eve and Mama, has a speaking voice that is just as vibrant, clear and full of emotion as her singing voice, which is a gift."

Lisa Troshinsky, The Washington Diplomat

"Becca Ayers portraying Eve and Mama heads an excellent cast and can belt out a song with great skill."

Dennis Ryan, Pentagram

"The cast is vocally stunning, especially Bradley Dean as God/Father and Becca Ayers as Eve/Mama Noah, who also handles her comic lines in the Noah story with such accomplished punch the audience was with her all the way."

Ben Ryland, www.baltimoregaylife.com

"The cast is also excellent, and is headed by Becca Ayers, who brings Act I to a rousing close as Eve."

David Cannon, Montgomery County Sentinel

"As Eve/Mama, Becca Ayers is splendidly exuberant, with a wondrously clear vocal instrument that sells each of her songs with joy and authority."

T.L. Ponick, Washington Times

"Playing the parts of Eve and Mother, Noah's wife, Becca Ayers wows the audience with her incredible vocal range, accurately capturing each genre of music used in the show, and closing the first act with an exceptional performance of 'Children of Eden'."

Mary Frances McCarthy, Arlington Catholic Herald

"As Eve/Mama, the extraordinary Becca Ayers' amazing voice dazzles... it's a mystery why all these actors aren't on Broadway."

David Hurst, Next Magazine

 

Reviews for The Sarah, Plain and Tall Cast Album - 2004 (Sarah)

The Sarah, Plain and Tall cast album, recently released on Showbiz Records, features the original cast from the off-Broadway production at the Lucille Lortel in 2002.

"Anchoring the production is the extraordinarily talented Becca Ayers in the title role who brings a zestful determination and powerhouse voice to Sarah as she makes a new life for herself in the West, far from the New England home she loves. Having seen Ayers, a striking and statuesque beauty who recently co-starred in The Last Five Years with Tally Sessions in Boston and will soon be seen in Children of Eden at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., perform Sarah in both workshops and the off-Broadway production, it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role."

David Hurst, Show Business Weekly

 

Reviews for The Last Five Years - 2004 (Cathy)

Becca starred as Cathy in the Speakeasy Stage Company Boston premiere of Jason Robert Brown's musical song cycle in the winter of 2004.

"...Cathy's cause is furthered in this production by Becca Ayers, the Sally Bowles of the great Barrington Stage Company production of 'Cabaret.' Her voice has grown in personality and her stage presence in poise since her sizzling 1997 performances at the Hasty Pudding Theater ... Ayers saves this marriage musically even if it couldn't be saved in reality. Her soulful sadness at the beginning of the show and her exuberance at the end carry the day."

Ed Siegel, The Boston Globe

"Both Sessions and Ayers have palpable stage presence, with Ayers giving Catherine some much-needed nuance, especially in 'A Summer in Ohio,' her hilarious audition song, and 'I Can Do Better Than That,' an ode to getting beyond the expectations of a small town. Ayers has magnificent vocal power...she does her best to give Catherine a spine..."

Terry Byrne, The Boston Herald

"SpeakEasy's production is a good one, with two attractive and sympathetic performers in Becca Ayers and Tally Sessions. Boasting a powerful, well-schooled, expressive voice, Ayers moves through what must be a difficult theatrical trajectory, from the anguish of parting to the dizzy delight of new love."

Ellen Pfeifer, The Boston Phoenix

"Ayers and Sessions have perhaps the most powerful, exquisitely controlled voices you'll see on a Boston stage this year. They are admirably paired with each other - this is some of the most audaciously difficult material a vocalist can attempt in a solo setting."

David Foucher, hereboston.com

"Cathy is played by a very talented Becca Ayers, a smart and striking figure of a woman with a lovely personality and powerful voice."

Newberry St. Guide

"Ayers is strong as Cathy...Her comic prowess shines in 'Climbing Uphill...'"

Gina Perille, Bay Windows

"Becca Ayers plays his wife Cathy with a mezzo belt that gives great power to a character that could come across as a victim..."

James A. Lopata, in news weekly

 

Reviews for Sarah, Plain & Tall - 2002 (Sarah)

Becca starred in the world premiere of Laurence O'Keefe's first full-length musical since his off-Broadway hit Bat Boy, Sarah Plain & Tall, based on the Patricia MacLachlan children's book of the same name.
   

"…splendidly acted and sung by an exceptionally talented cast….a virtually unalloyed delight."
   

"…the nimble cast is up to [the] multilevel role playing…and the ensemble work is well nigh flawless. Just the same, Becca Ayers is hard to miss as Sarah. This big-boned blond is tall and strapping all right, although she's about as "plain" as a Victoria's Secret model. But she has such an affinity for the tomboyish Sarah (and enough conviction as an actress to pull it off) that we'll humor her."
   

"Becca Ayers' Sarah has a kind of swaggering charm that is endearing."
   
   

"This year's crop was of a higher quality level than previous years' offerings...the songs heard tended to be extremely well crafted. Certainly, those in Sarah, Plain and Tall, written by Nell Benjamin and Laurence O'Keefe, were."
   
   

"With Joe Cassidy, the incredible Debra Wiseman and the fabulous Becca Ayers headlining for him, O'Keefe's got a goldmine of undiscovered talent on-board he can't keep secret any longer. The combination of their voices and O'Keefe's music is simply electrifying and worthy of a full-length run somewhere soon."

   
   

"The cast is Broadway caliber. Becca Ayers as Sarah has just the right gawky appeal, thanks to a lovely singing voice and pitch-perfect performance."
   

"Becca Ayers is so moving as Sarah…"
   

"The cast is a strong one. Becca Ayers in the title role sings with a clear sweet sound and is enchanting as the stalwart Sarah."
   

"Sarah, played with poise and verve by Becca Ayers, is brasher and spunkier than she has been before, joining a long line of musical-theatre heroines in asserting her right to be herself."

The New

Voice

Of New York Inc

"Sarah is brilliantly played by Becca Ayers fulfilling peculiarity, determination and impetuousness with style."


"Becca Ayers is a warm and spirited Sarah..."


"The cast we saw at the Lortel was uniformly outstanding, particularly the... warm, vulnerable, funny... and engaging Becca Ayers in the title role. Some smart producer is going to have a hit on his or her hands."

 

Reviews for I Got Merman - 2003 (Yolanda)

Becca co-starred as Yolanda in the Dallas Summer Musicals production in the fall of 2003.

"Becca Ayers does a good job with the torch ballad, 'Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries.' She sings from the heart and truly gets under the skin of those lyrics."

John Garcia, Talkin' Broadway

"All three women catch that inimitable Merman style-the brassy sounds, the big vibrato, the glottal catch, the chiseled consonants. If you've studied the original recordings, especially those by the young singer in the 1930's, you can appreciate just how thoroughly these performers have appropriated the singer's spirit as well as the mechanics of her voice."

Lawson Taitte, Dallas Morning News

 

Reviews for Jekyll & Hyde - 1999-2000 (Lucy)

Becca was in the ensemble of the first Equity U.S. national tour of Jekyll & Hyde and understudied and performed the female lead, Lucy the prostitute.

 "...Ayers, both saucy and vulnerable, makes the most of her chances, singing her ballads with full throated power and feeling."

Everett Evans, Houston Chronicle

"...Ayers - understudy to the rescue! - nailed the big ballads, big time."

Austin American

 "Becca Ayers belts her way into the hearts of the audience as Lucy, the inevitable whore with a heart of gold. 'Bring on the Men' is restored to the score for the tour, and she seizes the opportunity to lift the show with one of the evening's few uptempo numbers."

Tony Chase, Theatreweek (Buffalo, NY)

 

Reviews for A Little Night Music - 1998 (Petra)

Becca played the role of Anne Egerman's maid, Petra, in the production at Barrington Stage Company in Barrington, MA and the production at Bristol Riverside Theatre in Bristol, PA.

 "Becca Ayers masters the moods and changes of pace of 'The Miller's Son,' offering a showcase performance of a showpiece number."

Douglas J. Keating, Philadelphia Inquirer

"...leaving Becca Ayers (Sally Bowles in "Cabaret") to belt out what becomes the show stopper, "The Miller's Son.""

The Boston Globe

"The show's earthier inistincts are in the more-than-capable hands of Becca Ayers as Petra, a lusty maid in the Egerman household. This is a full, robust, commanding performance."

The Berkshire Eagle

"...Frid, the butler who wins the heart, and body, of Petra, the maid, played wonderfully by Becca Ayers. Her rendition of "The Miller's Son" comes close to stopping the show."

J. Peter Bergman, The Independent

"Also excellent is Becca Ayers who brings a terrific sensuality and verve to the role of Petra, the Egermans' maid. She really proves herself in "The Miller's Son," a song that, coming near the end of the show, takes a real risk in advancing theme as opposed to action."

Ralph Hammann, The Advocate Sunspots

"Becca Ayers (who worked with Boyd in BSC's "Cabaret" last season) took a different tack with Petra's thoughtful-yet-lascivious anthem, "The Miller's Son," bouncing through the number with both winking joie de vivre and a knowing glance. It capped Ayers' strong interpretation of the randy, mugging maid."

Michael Eck, The Times Union

"Becca Ayers shines in the minor role of Petra, a serving girl, as she acerbically accepts her fate of mediocrity in singing "The Miller's Son" and others of lowly station with whom she might eventually have a liaison."

Eleanor Koblenz, The Daily Gazette

"A word about Becca Ayers as the servant Petra and her show-stopping "The Miller's Son" which Sondheim places next to closing. The word is fabulous, or maybe gut-wrenching. Ms. Ayers, a minor character until that moment, commands the stage."

Mae G. Banner, Chronicle Freelance

 

Reviews for Cabaret - 1997 (Sally)

Becca has played the role of Sally Bowles at the Barrington Stage Company in Barrington, MA, the Orpheum Theatre in Foxboro, MA, and Hasty Pudding Theatre, in Cambridge, MA.

 "...there is still present one of the last outstanding scores in traditional music theater, beautifully performed by Becca Ayers..."

Ed Siegel, The Boston Globe

"Becca Ayers gives Sally Bowles a nervous energy that betrays this song-and-dance girl's fear of being a loser. While Ayers displays Bowles' wild, unpredictable side in "Don't Tell Mama," she is pure and sincere in "Maybe This Time." It's a wonderfully vivacious and vulnerable performance that reaches out to connect with the audience."

Jerry Byrne, Boston Herald

"As it turns out, there are several more very good reasons to hie oneself up to Harvard. Chief among them is young Becca Ayers' accomplished portrayal of the feckless Sally Bowles. This is a notoriously difficult role; Sally must retain the audience's sympathy despite her maddening immaturity. But Ayers triumphs through a surfeit of talent, great charm, physical beauty, terrific singing and top-drawer dancing. An ever-so-slightly inconsistent British accent is the one minor flaw in an otherwise superb performance."

Michael Portantiere, InTheater Magazine

"Another find is the female lead role, which is being performed by Becca Ayers, a California native, who was working in Kansas when she came to director Julianne Boyd's attention. 'We saw many of the leading ladies on Broadway when we were casting Sally Bowles,' she said, 'but then I heard about Becca and we asked her to come East to audition. This one is just exceptional. To find someone this young with that kind of talent is unbelievable. It's exciting because it's like making a discovery.'"

Kathryn Boughton, The Litchfield County Times Monthly

"The evening, however, belonged to Becca Ayers, playing the legendary Sally Bowles. She has a lovely voice and was the perfect picture of the wanton English girl, oblivious to everything except her good times and sex games. In addition to the familiar songs, "Don't Tell Mama," "Perfectly Marvelous" and "Maybe This Time," her smashing rendition of "Cabaret" provided a grand finale to this Kander and Ebb musical."

Sam Freedman, Bravo - The Performing & Visual Arts Newspaper for Western MA & Northern CT

"Ayers' performance is a mixture of wonderful singing and honest acting."

J. Peter Bergman, The Independent

"Ayers clearly is at her best in her night club sequences. Her voice has a rich sexuality that is both innocent and provocative."

Jeffrey Borak, The Berkshire Eagle

"Becca Ayers offers beauty and a strong voice as Sally."

Ron Lee, WBRK Radio

"Yates and Becca Ayers as the younger lovers capture perfectly youth who are totally lost, but battling to get somewhere, even if they don't know where."

Karen Shreefter, WAMC Radio

Reviews for Tintypes - 1995, Okoboji Summer Theatre "Becca Ayers can belt out a song with the best of them, such as Ethel Merman, for example. For a very slim gal, she packs quite a wallop. You understand every word she sings and you don't need a hearing aid to enjoy it. Merman must be smiling from up above over this gal's talent."

The Okobojian