extra, extra!
ROCK OF AGES: Tenth Anniversary Tour
Breen as Lonny gives a comic gem of a performance as he dispenses half-baked rock philosophy armed only with his trusty Fogmaster 5000 machine. (The Theatre Mirror | Boston, MA)
…the fun is in the telling and that includes […] a comedic narrator (brilliantly played by John-Michael Breen) and enough sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll to make this a not-safe-for-kids affair. (Quirky Fusion | Boston, MA)
His flamboyant personality and impeccable timing were engrossing. His performance and overall look was reminiscent of Neil Patrick Harris as Hedwig. (The Daily Cardinal | Madison, WI)
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The tongue-in-cheek antics of the stage show would not be complete without our narrator/sound guy, Lonny, brilliantly played by John-Michael Breen. […] This character is another that I have hardly noticed in the past, but Breen has made Lonny my favorite of the show. His voice is a-maz-ing! His acting alone is going to take him very far, but the singing is rock to the enth degree. I can’t wait to see what he does next. He creates a larger character than what was written and doesn’t overrun anyone but adds to the entire production. (The Rogers Revue | Baltimore, MD)
Charming and comedic, mischievous and fun-loving, Mr. Breen plays the role to the hilt. […] The ultra-hilarious second act duet “Can’t Fight This Feeling” shines as one of the production’s show-stopping numbers. (MD Theatre Guide | Baltimore, MD)
John-Michael Breen as Lonny has an air of teenage dirtbag to him, but with heart and charm. He is our much-beloved host for the evening. (BroadwayWorld)
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But the real star of the show is Lonny, played by John-Michael Breen. Lonny the narrator sees and knows all, he’s there to fill I some gaps and give us some exposition, all with a wink in his eye and a witty aside or two. Breen pulls it all off masterfully, and with a great voice to boot, but he really manages to pull us in, and rip off the artifice of the show without taking us out of the show’s story. […] It’s a tricky tightrope act to not make it all come off as incredibly cheesy and Breen never once loses his balance. He really is the glue that holds the entire show together. (Hotchka | Baltimore, MD)
His portrayal took the character from what some people consider a supporting role to the lead of the show. And he did it in a way that didn’t take away from the show. (BroadwayWorld)
The show stealer here is John-Michael Breen as the show’s narrator and lead player, Lonny. His use of the portable fog machine at precisely the right times coupled with impeccable comedic timing make Breen’s performance keenly memorable. (ChicagoLand Musical Theatre | Chicago, IL)
other notices…
John-Michael Breen delivered a beautifully truthful portrayal of Helena; […] Encompassing a range of emotions, Breen’s Helena is relatable to anyone who has known love. As she is running across the stage in her high heels chasing love, we’re there rooting here on. […] With material that can easily be misconstrued or turned satirical, this well-connected nine person cast delved down to the core of the story and their characters, to present with heartfelt honesty a play about chance, the intensity of love and humanity. (OnStageBlog | A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2016)
Nine actors comprise the ensemble; it’s a testament both to the director’s ability and the talents of the company that it seems like there are far more. All of the actors pull double — or triple-duty, manifesting characters with an abundance of expressions and mannerisms with which to set each apart, utilizing the barest minimum of costume changes to bring each player to the fore. (Caught In The Act NH | Midsummer, 2016)
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John-Michael Breen, this time as Cousin Kevin, is quickly becoming a favorite. Here again, Breen creates a clear, striking character. […] Breen, along with the three other Local Lad characters, deliver show highlights; the dance, the vocals, the attitude. (SeacoastOnline | The Who’s TOMMY, 2018)
John-Michael Breen distinguishes himself as Clopin the Gypsy King. Breen creates a charismatic Clopin, and wows with a clear, beautiful voice. (SeacoastOnline | The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 2018)