“ Melissa Hall’s mercurial Harper communicates enough self-possession and lucidity buried under her fragmented personality and implies everything she’s trying hard to numb with her pills. Hall’s delicate balancing act makes her flights of fancy genuinely thrilling and makes the play’s connecting infirmity to prophecy feel inevitable instead of hokey”

Click Here to read the whole thing at Columbus Underground online

“Melissa Hall (a complex knockout last summer as unstable Harper Pitt in Columbus’ Short North Stage’s Angels in America) is dynamic as the determined, feisty Jo who dreams of literary greatness. With captivating expressions and spitfire fortitude, the ever-present Hall completely embodies Jo’s willingness to overcome adversity and take the world by storm. She also supplies wonderfully introspective renditions of “Astonishing” and “The Fire Within Me,” the show’s dual centerpiece anthems. ”

Click here to read the whole thing at Dayton Most Metro online

“…Hall is clear and thoughtful, subtle even when she is called upon– as she frequently is– to belt out her verbally playful tunes. She makes the potentially whiny Cathy into an appealing character, whether she’s talking to herself during auditions or reporting on “A Summer in Ohio.”

Click here to read the whole thing at the Columbus Dispatch online

Richard Sanford, Columbus Underground, May 6 2016: 

“…Hall is heartbreaking through songs like the desperate attempt to repair things on “See I’m Smiling” and “The Next Ten Minutes,” navigating complex melodies and turning them into delicious ear worms without sacrificing any of the psychological reality.”

Click here to read the whole thing at the Columbus Underground online

“…it’s imperative to tell you this show specifically dazzles in the hands of Melissa Hall, a charming actress who was just as winning and hilarious last season as Penny Pingleton in “Hairspray.” A lively bundle of energy worth rooting for, Hall endearingly depicts Fanny’s larger than life personality, appealing go-getter spirit and the engaging stage presence that fueled her reputation throughout the early 20th century. She also handles Styne and Merrill’s lovely score with impressive vigor and nuance, adeptly conveying the rip-roaring determination within “I’m the Greatest Star” and the tender sentimentality of “People,” “Who Are You Now?” and “The Music That Makes Me Dance.” Most importantly, Hall beautifully interprets “People” as a philosophy and her dynamic “Don’t Rain on My Parade” perfectly captures Fanny’s firm resolve at the end of Act 1 and her amazing resilience at the end of Act 2….”

Click here to read the entire review in Dayton Most Metro online

“…But for me, there were two breakout stars in this show. Melissa Hall (“Penny”) caught me by surprise with her comedic ability AND her singing. Last time I saw her, she was belting out rock songs in the Alex Horton show “Stuck in Between.” Based on that show, I thought of her as a serious singer. But every time she was on stage, it was hard to take my eyes off of her. I just marveled at her comic timing and her very good pitch and very nice tone and again, her dancing was also superb. She’s a star.”

Click Here to read the entire review in The Sappy Critic blog

“…With impeccable comic timing, Hall makes Roxie both oddly charming and appallingly narcissistic – especially on Roxie, her hymn to herself and her imagined future.”

Click here to read the entire review in the Columbus Dispatch online

Dennis Thompson,  Outlook Columbus, July 20, 2011:

“…Melissa Hall is perfect as Roxie Hart, playing the role of someone who is playing a role. Her Roxie is manipulative, regarding events with a cold disdain evident in her eyes. But she can shift on a dime to truly frightened when events don’t go as planned. Likewise she can shift from sexy to convincing feigned innocence when the need arises.”