Reviews

The Dirty Laundry Campaign

“…a couple of gung-ho politicians are clowning around in pursuit of our votes, their Dirty Laundry Campaign full of Trump-ed up handshakes and ever-lengthening ties. This is the Surge festival in action outdoors, delivering mischief and daftness throughout the final weekend of Glasgow’s Merchant City Festival.”
– Mary Brennan, Herald Scotland

Reprise- Home Away Festival
(MacArthur International Connections Fund Winner)

“And in conversation with some of the group leaders gathered in Glasgow, it’s impossible not to be impressed by their shared experience of theatre work that delves deep into the lives of communities, and can begin real processes of change. Sarah Rose Graber from Chicago talks about the Northwestern Settlement in that city, which has been helping new migrants to Chicago for more than a century, and about the work of its Adventure Stage Company.”
– Joyce MacMillan, The Scotsman

“Amid the current political hotbed of immigrant bashing and backlash, it’s so refreshing to see a poignant tale of struggle and success. Reprise begins as the story of a violin loaned to a boy and evolves into so much more. This production follows a European immigrant and his instrument from boyhood to old age, and takes the audience along on the journey, through triumphs and tribulations. We experience family, community, layoffs, financial hardships, bullying, marriage, love and loss. And throughout it all, the love and joy of music is interwoven. This production reminds us that music can unite, and compassion is key. It’s incredibly tough to begin again in a new land where the language and everything is strange. Truly we are all connected, and one never knows the ripples a kind act will send out into the universe or down through the decades.”
– Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, ChiIL Mama

Worthy

“Under Sarah Rose Graber’s smart and stimulating direction, this excellent production encourages every theatergoer to get their noses out of their cell phones and to really live life, being all that they can be.”
– Colin Douglas, Theatre in Chicago

“…an engaging and entertaining overall production. If you have kids, take them-easy choice. If you don’t, go anyway, you might just learn something.””
– Jerald Raymond Pierce, Chicago Stage Standard

Chicago Reader Recommended

Six Stories Tall

“And Graber is always a pleasure to watch: her round, cartoonish eyes make her a natural for children’s theater, but she has a gravity that balances out the energy. She knows educating young minds is serious business and doesn’t forget it for a second.”
– Lauren Whalen, Chicago Theatre Beat

“Sarah Rose Graber is always magnetic in her many roles, especially as the Mermaid.”
– Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review *Highly Recommended*

“Similar to Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses in structure and inventiveness.”
– Dan Jakes, The Reader *Recommended*

The Last Meal Man

“Sarah Rose Graber also delivers a stellar and disturbingly sexual take on Karla Faye Tucker (who became born-again in jail and whose pleas for clemency were allegedly mocked by then-governor of TexasGeorge W. Bush) as she savors her last meal of banana and peach.”
– Kerry Reid, The Chicago Tribune

“The most innovative and fiery work of “The Three” is the frightful and fascinating “Last Meal Man.” On stage are actors portraying actual American death-row inmates, now deceased, and delivering monologues as they devour their often-perplexing final meals. Humanity’s relationship to food as a deep, ritualistic association grants a new layer of understanding to these societally loathed and continuously condemned figures.
– Johnny Oleksinski, New City Stage

“An effective use of factual information—and one of the festival’s highlights—is Last Meal Man”
– Zac Thompson, The Reader

Barefoot in the Park

“The play’s female lead is more challenging to portray than most realize: a less skilled actress can easily turn Corie’s infinite whimsy into annoying shrills. Thankfully, Graber interprets Corie with such an infectious joy that the audience can’t help but giggle along.”
– Lauren Whalen, Chicago Theatre Beat

“Corie is played with grandiose, but infectious innocence by Sarah Rose Graber”
– Sharon Sultan Cutler, Chicago Splash

“Wide-eyed Sarah Rose Graber charms as goofy newlywed Corie Bratter”
-Dan Weissmann, The Reader

The Book of Liz (original and remount)

“Sarah Rose Graber, offbeat but not cloyingly so, is winning in the lead role.”
– Zac Thompson, The Reader

“Sarah Rose Graber fills in for the title character, Sister Elizabeth Donderstock, a character originally portrayed by Sedaris herself, and brings an energy that is both congruent with the play’s wacky tone while wholly original. This is significant because I would expect Sedaris’ shadow to intimidate most actresses into paying homage, but not so with Graber. Graber deserves all the praise she can get for her wide-eyed portrayal of Liz. She is unwavering in her commitment to the character’s little tics, from her squeaky voice to her “Gosh darn” facial expressions.” Read Full Text
– Keith Ecker, Chicago Theatre Blog

“Sarah Rose Graber is superb. She carries the show easily with a natural, doe-eyed, innocent charm and a voice of endearing, goofy inflection. Her performance is infectious, pulling the audience along with such strength that a genuine connection develops. Though we laugh at her naiveté, we also empathize with it and finally cheer its triumphs.”
– Phil Morehart, The Chicago Journal

“Sarah Rose Graber has a fun, wide-eyed naifish Shelley Duvall presence as the accommodating Liz.”
– Kerry Reid, The Chicago Tribune

“The delightful Sarah Rose Graber plays the title character with an unabashed enthusiasm that has you rooting for Liz the entire play… Her character’s naivety has the potential to become annoying, but Graber’s sweet nature luckily prevents that from ever happening.”
– Dyan Flores, The Bastion

“The whole production has a strong center in Sarah Rose Graber’s earnest and funny turn as Elizabeth.”
– Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times

“The sweetly daffy Graber plays Liz with an appealing naivete.”
– Lisa Buscani, Newcity Chicago

“Sarah Rose Graber conjures up a believably naïve, charmingly sincere Liz for everyone else to play against.”
– Web Behrens, Chicago Free Press

“Sarah Rose Graber uses her background as both a serious actress and comedic improviser to bring Sister Elizabeth Donderstock to life.” Read Full Text
– Janet Arvia, Chicago Examiner

“I don’t think she’s replicated or duplicated anything Amy did,” McMahon said of Graber. “She definitely didn’t try to be Amy. She’s really brought her own energy and life to the character that’s really stood on its own.” Read Full Text
– Edge Chicago by Joseph Erbentraut

“Angie McMahon’s superb cast parlays the inanity into tight, hilarious scenes and endearingly eccentric characters. Sarah Rose Graber plays the unlikely heroine with pinched, quirky charm.” Read Full Text
– Keith Griffin, Chicago Reader

The New Adventures of Popeye

“Sarah Rose Graber truly committed to the part of Olive Oyl and played the character perfectly—her big eyes and huge facial expressions, limberness and talent at physical comedy, and high voice all gave off an air of innocence and naivete that was continuously captivating.” Read Full Text
—Andrea Kramar, Chicago Splash

“Sarah Rose Graber absolutely nails the cartoon mannerisms, voice, and movement of her character. Pleasant and pure nostalgia holds the audience, as well as marvel over the ease with which the cast physically and bracingly evokes the cartoon’s clownish effects.”
—Paige Listerud, Chicago Theatre Blog

“Sarah Rose Graber is a fantastic Olive Oyl, with the classic pinhead hairdo, squeaky voice, and dithery logic” Read Full Text
—Laura Molzahn, The Reader

 

MilkMilkLemonade

TIMEOUT BEST ENSEMBLES FOR 2011
“The fearless fivesome of Matt Farabee, John Zinn, Cyd Blakewell, Jessica London-Shields, and Sarah Rose Graber embodied the whacked-out inhabitants of Joshua Conkel’s daring comedy.”
– Kris Vire, TimeOut Year in Review

“And Sarah Rose Graber—who fills a number of roles including the narrator and who previously showed off her acting chops in Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s The Book of Liz (our review)—continues to display an energy and innate sense of comedy that makes her one of the finest comedic actresses in Chicago.” Read Full Text
– Keith Ecker, Chicago Theatre Blog

“The sheer daring in Conkel’s 2009 comedy is breathtaking, and Sanders and her cast match the writer’s audacity… while Graber resembles a crazed Shelley Duvall as the weirdly tentative narrator.” Read Full Text
– Kris Vire, TimeOut Chicago

“The stellar cast and director Cassy Sanders bring Conkel’s script to life in a touching, hilarious production.” Read Full Text
– Lisa Findley, Centerstage

“Cassy Sanders supplies kinetic direction, and the gender-bent Pavement Group cast is magnificent.” Read Full Text
– Dan Jakes, Chicago Reader

Hey! Dancin’!

“FIVE STARS- First-time director Graber makes sure the plot moves but wisely focuses on the far funnier ’80s stereotypes trapped inside it.” Read Full Text
– Caitlin Montayne Parrish, TimeOut Chicago

“The show is an hour and 20 minutes long with no intermission, but you won’t be squirming in your seat thanks to Sarah Rose Graber’s directing. She makes sure the play moves along at a fast pace, only slowing down for scenes that demand extra attention, such as the aforementioned supply closet tryst.” Read Full Text
– Scotty Zacher, Chicago Theatre Blog

“If this suggests that the show is serious or preachy, it’s not. It’s ebullient and escapist. It’s colorful and campy. It’s politically incorrect, poking fun at gays, alcoholics, pedophiles, nerds, sluts, whites and even Australians with equal abandon. Ultimately, it’s one of those pesky little shows that you can’t help but love no matter what. And when the entire company is assembled for a large-group dance number, just give up and give in.” Read Full Text
– Fabrizio O. Almeida, New City Stage