REVIEWS

B R I G H T S T A R

“The bright(est) star-turning performance onstage is made by young Audrey Cardwell, who not only sings up a storm, but fleshes out layered and convincing performances of Alice Murphy from ages 16 to 39. Cardwell's vocals conjure up images of a sweet, southern mother singing a lullaby or a rousing religious revival, depending on the songs which include "If You Knew My Story," "Way Back in the Day," and "So Familiar."“

BroadwayWorld Dallas

“Audrey Cardwell carried the show as Alice, her rich, warm voice and rapier comedic timing serving her in good measure. She’s easily believable as the youthful, ambitious Alice and equally so as her more burnished, smarter-but-wiser older self. Cardwell’s rendering of “If You Knew My Story,” the show’s opening number, is wistful and sincere, on a foundation of survival anthem.”

Houstonia Magazine

“Audrey Cardwell shone in both iterations of Murphy. Her sparkling voice and spunky personality as the young Murphy are outdone only by a realistic portrayal of her disillusioned older self. Her rendition of “At Long Last” was the musical highlight of the night, earning her a standing ovation.”

Dallas Observer

“Bright Star benefits from Cardwell’s lovely, bifurcated performance: as the tough middle-aged editor and her callow counterpart, whose life has a novelist’s sense of irony and pain. She’s reason enough to catch this show, and to luxuriate in the charming music of Americana.”

Dallas Voice

C H R I S T M A S I N C O N N E C T I C U T

“This premiere production is lucky enough to assign Audrey Cardwell the unenviable task of following in Stanwyck’s footsteps. Cardwell can act and sing up a storm with undeniable presence to boot. She manages to pull off the not-easy feat of not realizing she’s been selling out her convictions, until the eleventh hour when she believably executes the turnabout.”

New York Stage Review

“Audrey Cardwell is a spunky, perky, bright-eyed Liz, facing the world on her own terms and has the voice and spirit with which to do it.”

Hartford Courant

G U Y S A N D D O L L S

“In a hilarious scene in a Havana bar, {Cardwell} imbibes a “dulce de leche” milk shake spiked with some Bacardi, fueling some great rib-tickling moments as Sister Sarah’s stiff social barriers fall away and, with a swoon and a kiss, she lifts her luminous voice in a lovely rendition of “If I Were a Bell.”

San Diego Voice

“Audrey Cardwell is alluring as the uptight and upright Sarah, who wants to keep her Save-a-Soul mission alive to turn around the evil lives of the sinners around her, and she finds an unlikely helper in Sky, or so she thinks. They may meet because of a bet, but all they need to fall in love is a few notes of the lilting “I’ll Know.” Cardwell’s Sarah may appear sweet and shy, but she plays her with a strong backbone and a soaring soprano that’s powerful but never showy.”

Sarasota Herald Tribune

“Audrey Cardwell is lovely as the uptight Sarah. She may start as a seemingly unbending character, but she's fun to watch soften and blossom into a woman in love who is determined to get her man without losing her principles along the way. Her clear soprano is powerful and her "If I were a Bell" was sweetly comedic.”

BroadwayWorld San Diego

“There’s fine work by Cardwell as Sarah, a role that can sometimes come across as a little boring. Not here. Cardwell is properly starchy in her opening scenes, but when she downs those rum drinks in Havana and takes to the dance floor with abandon, she’s equally convincing, and her vocals are outstanding throughout.”

Sarasota Magazine

C I N D E R E L L A

“Most pleasing of all is Cardwell, an enchantress who doesn't need any help from outside sources to cast her special spell. She sings like an angel, dances especially well (her back bends and supple hoofing are a pleasure to watch), and radiates charm and, yes, spunk, as an energetic, sympathetic Cinderella.”

Houston Press

Here, our heroine is dubbed “Ella,” and Audrey Cardwell plays her with an appealing mix of innocence and wit (plus a supple voice that finds high notes with ease).

San Diego Union-Tribune

“The production itself is first-rate, packed with superb performances. How strong is the ensemble? On opening night understudy Audrey Cardwell rocked the house when she stepped into the lead mid-performance.”

Theatre in Chicago

“The minders of Cinderella can be heartened by the quality of their young understudy. Cardwell has a lovely voice and a charming vulnerability.”

Chicago Tribune