Reviews and Other Press
Reviews
Wait Until Dark (Harry Roat)
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"John D. Alexander mixed oily and downright menacing as Roat, a powerful thug."
- Jim Lowe, Times Argus Full review in The Times Argus |
Photograph 51 (Francis Crick)
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"As Francis Crick, John D. Alexander uses his stentorian voice to give his character an avuncular stodginess that stops just short of pompous."
- Erik Esckilsen, Seven Days Full review in Seven Days"Alexander gives Crick a distinguished British gentility..."
- Brent Hallenbeck, Burlington Free Press Full review in The Burlington Free Press"John D. Alexander was wonderfully priggish as the scientist Crick..."
- Jim Lowe, Times Argus Full review in The Times Argus |
Bully! (Theodore Roosevelt)
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"Roosevelt eerily came to life again as actor John D. Alexander convincingly portrayed the president…Before it was over, Alexander was even able to deliver Roosevelt’s charisma.”
-Jim Lowe, Times Argus Full review in The Times Argus |
The Drowsy Chaperone (Victor Feldzieg)
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"Perhaps the most charming couple was the sleazy producer Feldzieg and his ding-a-ling girlfriend, Kitty, played deliciously by John D. Alexander and Lilly Tobin.”
-Jim Lowe, Times Argus Full review in The Times Argus |
Sylvia (Phyllis, Tom, Leslie)
"Alexander typically and expertly takes on tough-guy roles in the rugged plays of David Mamet or Martin McDonagh; it's beyond refreshing to see him go so far out of character and have such a good time doing it."
-Brent Hallenbeck, Burlington Free Press Full review in The Burlington Free Press |
"In a trio of roles, Alexander makes you wonder if you’re disturbing fellow audience members with out-of-control guffawing.”
-Elisabeth Crean, Seven Days Full review in Seven Days“Despite there being a “dog” on stage, John D. Alexander nearly stole the show—in drag—as Kate’s haughty Vassar classmate. Alexander proved side-splittingly funny”
-Jim Lowe, Times Argus Full review in The Times Argus"John D. Alexander has great fun with multiple roles; Greg’s dog-loving pal Tom, Kate’s Junior League friend Phyllis and Leslie, their androgynous therapist. He’s a genuinely funny actor with great timing and reactions."
-Connie Meng, North Country Public Radio Full review on North Country Public Radio (transcript) |
Orphans (Treat)
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"Alexander glows with Treat’s nuclear core of rage: unstable and prone to meltdown."
-Elisabeth Crean, Seven Days Full review in Seven Days"Alexander and McSorley aren't the sorts to fade into the woodwork. Both tap deeply into their characters' manipulative ways, with Treat's manipulation all about himself and Harold's for more mysterious reasons. Alexander gives Treat the short fuse that makes his character so dangerous…"
-Brent Hallenbeck, Burlington Free Press Full review in The Burlington Free Press"Alexander beautifully mixed scary and pathetic as Treat, who cannot quite define himself in the real world."
-Jim Lowe, Times Argus Full review in The Times Argus |
A Song for My Father (Randy)
“Wallman and Alexander show the relaxed, loving connection between mother and son…Alexander and Nuner generate remarkable chemistry playing the explosive [son and father] pair.”
—Elisabeth Crean, Seven Days Full review in Seven Days |
“John D. Alexander as Randy was a solid foil to Frank’s histrionics, and delivered some pretty convincing ones of his own. The two proved a powerful team.”
—Jim Lowe, Times Argus Full review in The Times Argus“John Alexander plays Randy and doesn’t even seem to be playing a part.”
—Bethany M. Dunbar, The Chronicle Full review in The Chronicle“Alexander, a standout in recent works by the Green Candle Theatre Co., brings out the self-centered elements that Budbill built into Randy, but infuses him with the humanity the audience needs to identify with the universal, un-winnable situation he finds himself in…”
—Brent Hallenbeck, Burlington Free Press Full review in The Burlington Free Press |
Strawberries in January (Robert)
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“Alexander, who earlier this year starred in the green candle theatre company’s production of american buffalo, is always entertaining.”
—Brent Hallenbeck, Burlington Free Press Full review in The Burlington Free Press“Veteran Vermont actor John D. Alexander was charmingly and realistically pompous as the deceptive Robert, and his tirade against his lazy students was priceless.”
—Jim Lowe, Times Argus Full review in The Times Argus |
Deathtrap (Sidney Bruhl)
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“John D. Alexander, an experienced actor, was a natural as Bruhl, arrogant and insecure with a sense of humor.”
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The Miracle Worker (Capt. Keller)
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“…Heather Nielsen as Kate Keller and John Alexander as Capt. Keller were convincing and nuanced.”
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The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Pato)
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“Alexander brings his usual intensity to his role as Pato, all the more amazing considering he's fresh off an even more energetic performance in David Mamet's "American Buffalo"…he's a one-man repertory company.”
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“Kelly Thomas and John D. Alexander, who plays Pato, generate touching romantic chemistry…Pato is a wonderfully drawn character, and Alexander’s nuanced performance brings out his deep compassion.”
—Elisabeth Crean, Seven Days
Full review in Seven Days
American Buffalo (Teach)
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“Alexander portrays anger-management-challenged Teach with gusto. He embodies his character’s high-strung physical energy...his eyes glow with a toxic mix of sleep deprivation and scheming.”
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“Alexander is a treat in any play he's in…and he's the dynamic force in "American Buffalo" from the moment he comes on stage…he brings the fuel that fires this production of "American Buffalo."”
—Brent Hallenbeck, Burlington Free Press
Full review in The Burlington Free Press
Our Country's Good (Harry Brewer, John Arscott, Capt. Campbell)
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“John Alexander crafted strong performances…Alexander showed Brewer sick with terror, desperate to escape the visions unfolding vividly before him.”
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“John D. Alexander, a veteran professional, was particularly powerful…”
—Jim Lowe, Times Argus
Full review in The Times Argus
Henry V (High Constable of France, Capt. MakMorrice, Cambridge)
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“…John D. Alexander played a variety of roles, convincingly with expertise.”
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Bully! (Theodore Roosevelt)
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“…Alexander soon had the audience believing he was Roosevelt, sharing the great politician's excitement and disappointments…Alexander delivered a fully dimensional performance as Roosevelt”
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Stone (Italian Carver, Mayor, Irish Shed Owner, Scottish Sculptor, Retired Italian Stone Cutter, Rum Runner)
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“John D. Alexander was a real chameleon, successfully playing a wide variety of characters from an early Barre mayor to an unhappy and unsuccessful insurance salesman.”
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No Exit (Garcin)
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“…a cast that's more than capable of delivering a blistering script, a cast that's practically an all-star team of Burlington-area actors—…the omnipresent Alexander, a professional actor who brings class, humor and strength to just about everything he does.”
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The Tempest (Propero)
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“…as if he'd been plucked off The Globe stage circa 1605…a commanding performance.”
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Big River (Pap)
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“Another key supporting player, John Alexander, played Pap with a broad odiousness, and sang a brilliantly bluesy, syncopated version of his drunken rant, "Guv'ment."”
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The Cripple of Inishmaan (Johnnypateenmike)
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“Alexander has become one of the most dependable professional actors in Vermont. He is greatly talented.”
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She Stoops to Conquer (Mr. Hardcastle)
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“John D. Alexander’s Mr. Hardcastle is just the right combination of stodgy aristocrat and common sensible father.”
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American Buffalo (Teach)
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“…Alexander evokes the essential humor in Teach’s character….it’s simply a blast to see Alexander...”
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Jesus Christ Superstar (Pontius Pilate)
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“John Alexander, Brett Thompson, and Kathy Richards all handled their parts easily and creatively.”
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Ah Wilderness (Nat Miller)
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“John Alexander…added another increasingly well-drawn characterization to his list of fine performances. It was a subtle performance and a heartwarming one.”
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The Boys Next Door (Mr. Klemper)
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“Mr. Klemper, Barry's father, is well played by John D. Alexander. Crippled both physically and emotionally, all he can offer Barry during his disastrous visit is a damaged heart.”
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To Kill a Mockingbird (Bob Ewell)
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“…a truly wonderful character actor. His portrayal of Bob Ewell is right on target and never crosses the line into a redneck caricature.”
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Don and Tom (Preacher/Dad)
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“…If the killers are crazy, so are the over-the-top authority figures who lord it over them, including a cowboy-hat-wearing priest and Tom's abusive father—both played with gusto by the versatile John D. Alexander.”
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“John D. Alexander is a riot as the nasty over-zealous preacher, and even more unpleasant as Tom’s “father.””
—Jim Lowe, Times Argus
Full review in The Times Argus
Sylvia (Phyllis, Leslie, Tom)
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“…played with panache by John Alexander…one of the most effective comic drag performances seen around here in a long time…Alexander knows just when and how to push the humor. In short, Alexander was hilarious…”
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“John Alexander is a revelation in three roles. He brings down the house...”
—Ruth Wallman, Burlington Free Press
Full review in The Burlington Free Press
Waiting for Godot (Pozzo)
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“John D. Alexander is both frightening and pitiable as Pozzo…very powerful…”
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“Alexander always delivers an interesting character, and his Pozzo is just as self-centered when he can see as when he has gone blind.”
—Dan Wolfe, Shelburne News
Full review in The Shelburne News
The Cripple of Inishmaan (Babby Bobby, Dr. McSharry)
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“…excellent…”
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A Streetcar Named Desire (Mitch)
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“John Alexander made…Mitch suitably naïve…becoming effectively hurt and angry when confronted by the truth.”
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Rope (Rupert)
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“…a welcome ease and fluidity…”
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Man in the Glass Booth (Arthur Goldman, Adolf Dorf)
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“…Alexander’s portrayal…is both riveting and intriguing…”
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“…compellingly portrayed by John D. Alexander…”
—Jennifer Bloomfield, Burlington Free Press
Full review in The Burlington Free Press
The Elephant Man (Ross, Bishop Howe, Snork)
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“…John Alexander provides the second reason to see this show…Alexander is rock solid…finds every nuance.”
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Shock Candy (Poe)
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“John Alexander made sure the acting quality stayed high to the very end...”
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Our Country's Good (Arscott, Collins)
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“…a delightfully thuggish John D. Alexander shines…”
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Picnic (Hal)
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“…believably compelling.”
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Little Shop of Horrors (Orin [the Dentist])
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“…startlingly effective…no one harbored any doubts about his ability...to fuse the comical with the musical.”
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Oedipus Rex (Creon)
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“…brilliant. I found his the most appropriate portrayal of the evening.”
--Dan Wolfe, Shelburne News Full review in The Shelburne News |
Other Press
(Click on the thumbnail images to view/download the write ups)
"Stone"--Katie Zezima, The New York Times
"Being John Alexander"—Pamela Polston, Seven Days
"Endless Juggling, Countless Rewards"--Invited Contribution, Burlington Free Press
"New Burlington Theater Space..."--Erik Esckilsen, SEVEN DAYS
