Audience Reviews

Mary Gundel

“I enjoyed the play very much and was inspired to search out my ancient copy of The Double Helix to see how Watson viewed the events.”

Gary De Carolis

“Very well acted. It is just over the top terrific. Bravo to all!! See you again soon.”

Ellen Sklar

“both my husband and I thought Photograph 51 was an excellent production. Everything-the acting, direction,sets,etc-were terrific.”

Lili Gamache

“Terrific production! Engaging story, well told, well cast, well directed. VSC's new Artistic Director is off to a notable start. The show's a winner not to be missed. Hats off to everyone! ”

Katherine Mihok

“Very interesting evening. Fascinating but difficult subject neatly and clearly handled by playwright and production. Plays consisting of talk on scientific subjects are never easy (remember "Copenhagen"?) but theater has an obligation to this important part of our society and culture. I really enjoyed Alexandra Hudson's work and the winning honesty of Lane Gibson.”

Candace Page

“I thought the script, though not flawless, was fascinating and the acting was topnotch. Extremely impressive all around. I'm recommending to all my friends.”

Carol Ode

“I liked the show very much. The show reminds us how much humanity loses when we don't respect each other and when people do not have equal rights. The workplace is much less fun than it could be and less productive for those in it, scientific advances are stymied, and people can't become all that they might otherwise be. I have much more appreciation for how competitive the scientific world is. I will never feel the same way about Nobel Prize winners; I will always wonder.... ”

Lynne Bond

“FANTASTIC show; EXCELLENT performance. The play is complex and multi-layered and the acting was engrossing. It was a very powerful and profound event for all 5 of use who went to the play together. We kept talking and talking about it. Thanks!”

Dinny Hawksworth

“Thoroughly enjoyed the show. Found the English accents were not always consistent but it did not matter much. The quality of the acting was very good. Thanks for asking!”

Betsy Allen-Pennebaker

“This was a wonderful show and a terrific start to Cristina Alicea's tenure as Artistic Director. The show was beautifully-directed and well-cast, and both moving and thought-provoking. I enjoyed the show immensely and found the story fascinating - so much so that afterwards I went home and prowled around Wikipedia for a couple of hours to learn more! I'm so pleased that this play is helping to shed light on Dr Franklin's long-neglected contribution to the discovery of DNA.”

Stephany Hasse

“I thought the play was riveting. ”

Helyn Kerr

“Excellent production in all ways. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and look forward to the remainder of this season. Thank you to all involved.”

shirley bingham

“Excellent!”

judith doerner

“The play was fascinating, at least partly because I have met and worked with women similar to the female scientist. And, of course, I have met many men during my career who just "didn't get it" like Wilson. The acting was great, and even though my back is not comfortable sitting for long periods of time, my attention did not waiver. Thanks for a very interesting show!!! ”

Dee Smith

“One of the best shows ever!! Acting and narrative style both superb!”

Ilse Raymond

“The play was superb. All the protagonists were well cast and exceeded my expectations. I also appreciated the themes: women in science, plagiarism, human frailty, interpersonal relations and more. The scene changes were swift and adequate and the costumes appropriate. I'm sure Mark is proud to have chosen you as his successor. Keep up the good work, Ilse ”

Linda McKenna

“The show was amazing. I was not familiar with the story before attending although I accompanied 2 scientists who knew it well. We all thoroughly enjoyed it and I was very impressed with this initial production under new direction. I am more excited than ever about the rest of the season. ”

Janice Clements

“Wow! It was stunning. Fascinating story worth telling, but the play (and the writer) is an amazing conceit and so well done. The best part was VSC's execution of it. Beautifully staged and performed. Not a dry eye in the house at the end. Thank you!”

tom wynn

“Very good!”

anne kreisel

“I was a little confused in the beginning, but was rewarded by seeing how all of the various characters came together as the play developed. I thought it was very interesting, especially because it dealt with a subject (scientific research) that I'm not familiar with, the staging was interesting, and I thought the acting was very good. The play was challenging and I like that.”

Bill Suiter

“Excellent! Well balanced cast with no weak link. I have recommended it to numerous friends. I put it on a par with "Copenhagen"”

Shelby Hearon

“I loved Photograph 51. It was totally terrific and very moving. The best of Off Broadway. Of course I knew Rosalind Franklin's story, but the actress brought her completely to life, and the guys who played Watson and Crick were ever so amusing/appalling. ”

Chun Zhang

“I enjoyed the show very much. I thought the actress and actors well illustrated an important challenge female scientists face at the time. ”

Darlene Mitchell

“I loved Photograph 51! I appreciate that you pick plays that make you think and feel. I am looking forward to the next one.”

alan and suki rubin

“One of the most exciting and engaging and well acted of your productions ever.”

Cynthia Seybolt

“I am a scientific know-nothing, but found the play totally engaging, compelling, thought-provoking. There wasn't a weak link in the cast, and everything about the production was seamless and convincing. One of VSC's best ever!!”

t. cimonetti

“what could have been a static and "wordie" (as in too many words) show, was acted and directed so that my attention never slacked. thank you.”

Stefani Us

“Brilliant is the first word that came to my mind when asked what I thought of the play Photograph 51. Alexandra Hudson brought the spirit of Rosalind Franklin to the stage with a strong yet sensitive delivery of the female heroine. Evoking from me sentiments ranging from mild angst to sorrow bringing me to tears. More than the disturbing knavery of the male dominated stage was at play on stage here; the dance between the characters and the possibilities that might have changed history beg me to also ask the question: who does get to decide where our future lies? It was that pivotal "photograph 51" that presented a "simple twist of fate". Along with a stellar cast, lighting played an important role in this presentation. I would go see again!!”

Deborah

“I worked the show as an usher - unsure of the topic. I was completely captivated and moved by the story. The actors were phenomenal and the time flew by because we were totally submerged in the story. Thanks!”

Carol & Don Lewis

“Excellent production in every way! Lots of messages; lots to contemplate.”

Sally Watts

“How are new scientific breakthroughs really discovered? How can a woman make her way in science in the 50's? Can we ever start over? How do we achieve balance in our lives? All were addressed stunningly in Photograph 51. Well done!”

Tish DiRuocco

“I went to see Photograph 51 last night and thoroughly enjoyed it! I thought all the actors were FAB!”

Sheila

“Brilliant! I loved this production and want to see it again. I was busting to tell others about it. Extremely well performed. This is one of the best plays (I must have seen at least 50 - 75) I've ever seen. The last time I felt so moved and thrilled by a performance was in the Theatre in the Round in Providence RI in the late 70s while watching Inherit the Wind. Thank you for your time, commitment, and talent.”