AS MANAGER WELCH IN DAMN YANKEES

Michael Kaabe -- THE ASBURY PARK PRESS July 30, 1998

A Grand Slam!

Winning 'Damn Yankees' has lots of heart and talent

The Monmouth County Park Systems' production of Damn Yankees is not only performed with genuineness and sincerity, it is downright spectacular. ...This writer has seen Damn Yankees many times but has never enjoyed it more. Don't miss this show!"

AS CHIEF SITTING BULL IN ANNIE GET YOUR GUN

Philip Dorian -- THE TWO RIVER TIMES June 19, 1998

Run Out to the Barn to See 'Annie'

Monmouth County Park System Summer Theatre production is smashing

CITIZENS OF MONMOUTH COUNTY: Find out which politicians are responsible for spending tax dollars on the Monmouth County Park System Summer Theatre and vote for them. Twice. Better yet, just write-in Angela Flynn Knox, Park System Producer Director. Her "Annie Get Your Gun," running though June 28 at the barn in Thompson Park, is a triumph. It's startling good. The music and lyrics by Irving Berlin are resounding classics, and the exuberant cast (30+) infuses the show with a vitality rarely matched in local theatre. Featuring outstanding performances by Leslie Fornino and Martin Grubman, every role is filled to near perfection, and every scene is pure delight.

If there's a problem with 'Annie Get Your Gun,' it's the stereotyping of American Indians, Native Americans. There are some pretty cheesy jokes and attitudes about Indians of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. But the material is fairly gentle, and the setting is, after all, 1880. Ironically, it's the quality playing of Sal Giacchi as Chief Sitting Bull which lifts the threat of pall from this production. Sal not only looks like an Indian Chief who could have routed General Custer, he brings his class and dignity to even the comic portions of the role.

Michael Kaabe --THE ASBURY PARK PRESS August 8, 1997

This production is the most audience-friendly "Fiddler" I've seen in years...

...glowing with perfect casting, luscious choreography and delicious trimmings that include the musical accompaniment and the realistic costumes.

This production has it all--eight dancers who do the job to perfection, and a unity between cast and script that allows certain themes to be highlighted...Some of the cast members who are responsible for this evening of irrepressible pleasure are Walsh as the wonderful, thoughtful Tevye; Sal Giacchi as a hilarious rabbi... If one wants to get a good idea of how "Fiddler on the Roof should look in its ideal state, this is the production that will show you.

Philip Dorian --THE TWO RIVER TIMES June 20, 1997

A quality musical performed at the Thompson Park Theatre Barn

Sal Giacchi, who bears an eerie resemblance to the original Luther Billis, Myron McCormick, is gruff as the comical seaman who leads the antics of the woebegone enlisted men. The gob's scene, featuring 'Bloody Mary' and 'Nothing Like a Dame' is stirring... Go see it.

Michael Kaabe -- ASBURY PARK PRESS June 20, 1997

Worth Seeing. A Best Bet.

The intensity of the vividly contrasting elements of love and hate are broken with adequate comic relief, mostly supplied by Sal's scene stealing performance as the obstreperous Luther Billis. One of the other pleasures is that the play is performed in an earthy, uncomplicated manner.

Carlo Durand -- THE ATLANTICVILLE June 20, 1996

Don't miss Guys and Dolls!

I cannot begin to tell you how refreshing and enjoyable it is to have seen this wonderful production of 'Guys and Dolls.' And Sal Giacchi as Big Jule was just right playing a mob heavy... It is great to see that after nearly fifty years, a classic musical comedy piece can still be staged with great talent and skill and make us feel as if we are seeing it for the first time all over again. Congratulations."

Philip Dorian -- THE TWO RIVER TIMES June 20, 1996

An exhilarating Guys and Dolls in Lincroft.

Al Weaver and especially Sal Giacchi stand out among an effective group of gamblers... At ten bucks a pop it's like them paying you!"