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BLUES FOR MR. CHARLIE by James Baldwin Directed by Paulette Randall |
Tricycle Theatre, London UK |
The large cast features breathtakingly strong performances, most notably Rolf Saxon as the liberal white journalist Parnell James . . . – Elizabeth Mahoney, The Guardian …the excellent Rolf Saxon. – Paul Taylor, The Independent A most ambiguous protagonist, the only character who seems to be wholly at ease both among the blacks and among the whites – and yet mistrusted by both; Rolf Saxon portrays Parnell effortlessly, bringing out an analogy with the liberal powers of today as well as several complex questions. – Naomi Goulder, Times Literary Supplement Though a magnificent ensemble piece . . . the play really belongs to Rolf Saxon and Ray Shell, both seasoned performers who here land roles that fit them like gloves. Shell brings a worldly dignity to the diplomatic preacher Meridian Henry that is matched by the world-weariness of Saxon’s well-meaning newsman Parnell James. – Nick Awde |
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DINNER WITH FRIENDS by Donald Margulies (EUROPEAN PREMIERE) Directed by Simon Curtis |
Hampstead Theatre, London, UK |
I am also full of admiration for Rolf Saxon. He has a no nonsense way of acting; no glamour, no flash. You only realise your heart is more with him than any other character when, everyone else off stage, alone, he becomes – without doing a single thing – vulnerable, melancholy, deeply touching. – The Financial Times Meanwhile, Rolf Saxon, at the emotional core of the play as the placid but troubled Gabe, is simply superb. – Simon Edge, The Daily Express Lucid, beautifully acted, Saxon plays Gabe with a delightful, geekish quality while also letting you see he isn’t immune to moral cowardice. – Charles Spencer, The Daily Telagraph It is also stunningly played . . . especially Rolf Saxon. – Punch Simon Curtis’ production is beautifully acted not least by Saxon. I’ll remember them all but his troubled, helpless face will stay with me for months. – Benedict Nightingale, The Times |
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LAUGHTER ON THE 23rd FLOOR by Neil Simon (EUROPEAN PREMIERE) Directed by Roger Haines |
West End, London, UK |
. . . more successful gags than you have any right to expect. The fact that Rolf Saxon looks like Phil Silvers helps, but it’s not just that . . . his timing, his ease and his genuine physicality . . . hits pay dirt. – David Benedict, The Independent Gene Wilder … a master class of technique, timing and in our view, charm . . . Rolf Saxon runs Wilder a close second in this very American comedy. – The Mail |
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THE PRICE by Arthur Miller Directed by Chris Honer |
Manchester Library Theatre, UK |
It is rare to find an actor with the gift of enabling us to enter his world . . . a superb performance. – Manchester Evening News Rolf Saxon is simply spellbinding as Victor. This is an actor unafraid to allow the audience to see his thought process and we hang on every word. This is theatre at its best. – Natalie Anglesey But special mention must surely go to Rolf Saxon (Victor) for a spellbinding performance as the dutiful civil servant who rises above his own frustration to be the honorable person we all wish we could be. This is theatre at its finest. – Richard Turner, BBC Manchester |
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FRANKIE and JOHNNY in the CLAIR DE LUNE by Terrence McNally Directed by Mike Lunney |
UK Tour |
The hugely charismatic Rolf Saxon is magnificent as the besotted ex con divorcee so desperate to embrace the burgeoning chemistry he feels is developing so rapidly between them. His immense stage presence never faltering as the relationship begins to unfold. – Jill Lawrie Rolf Saxon conveys the desperation of a middle aged man who thinks he has found what he wants with an uncomfortable intensity . . . an exceptional performance from Saxon. – Alex Clark, whatsonstage.com Beautifully crafted . . . Saxon’s utterly convincing Johnny is an ex-con who keeps a complete works of Shakespeare in his locker. – Jane McKell The evening that I spent with McGillis and Saxon’s Frankie and Johnny was deeply moving and funny at the same time. Their gritty portrayals meant the audience was not dazzled by the glamour of Hollywood but was gently bathed in the afterglow of a well rounded and satisfying performance. – BBC Radio Suffolk |
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TALLEY’S FOLLY by Lanford Wilson Directed by Joy Carlin |
Aurora Theatre Company, U.S. |
A masterful performance from Rolf Saxon. – Richard Wolinsky, KPFA Fortunately, we have a terrifically skilled pair of actors to bring this yin-yang couple to life. … brilliantly played by Rolf Saxon. – Patrick Thomas, talkinbroadway.com … brilliantly played by Rolf Saxon and Lauren English … wonderfully shaded performances. Rolf Saxon commands attention from his first venture beyond the fourth wall as he engages us early on before stepping into the story. – Theater Eddys With two marvelously subtle and touching performances under the gentle direction by Joy Carlin, Talley’s Folly is a joy. – Emily S. Mendel, Berkeleyside |
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AFTER THE REVOLUTION by Amy Herzog Directed by Joy Carlin |
Aurora Theatre Company, U.S. |
Carlin and her actors excel . . . Herzog’s “Revolution” is so well fought it’s practically won . . . The drama comes to a head in Saxon and Bates’ father-daughter showdown, performed with a raw emotional honesty and mutual commitment that has us hanging on every word and trembling nuance. – Robert Hurwitt, The San Francisco Chronicle . . . the commendable work of Rolf Saxon. The care and support behind the relationship between Emma and her father is beautifully expressed through Saxon’s multifaceted performance. His character is, at certain moments, the grounded, mastering presence taking over the theater and, at others, a fragile shadow of his former self. – Anna Horrocks, The Daily Californian |
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A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN by Eugene O’Neill Directed by Joy Carlin |
Jewel Theatre Company, U.S. |
As is its custom, Jewel Theatre searches out outstanding actors, directors and behind-the-scenes people to create a cohesive — often mesmeric – production, and “Moon” is no exception. It’s difficult to imagine any actor who could have brought more depth of feeling, gut-wrenching introspection and self-loathing to the role of Jim Tyrone than Rolf Saxon. Even when not speaking, his wretchedness oozes from his sad eyes, and his body drips with disillusionment and weariness. – Joanne Engelhardt, Santa Cruz Sentinel |
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HAMLET by William Shakespeare Directed by Michael Moran |
Oakland Theatre Project, U.S. |
Claudius, the evil King, such a tricky role … Saxon pulls it off and makes a thoughtful, persuasive, almost compassionate Claudius … a whole play in himself … you can’t take your eyes off of Claudius. – Barry David Horwitz – Theatrius |
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THE DANCE OF DEATH by Conor McPherson Directed by Bill Peters |
Jewel Theatre Company, U.S. |
Rolf Saxon is terrific as the mortality-obsessed sea captain Edgar … this captain is a sorry sack of bones with no scruples, no shame, no remorse. But boy is he fascinating to watch! – Joanne Engelhardt, Santa Cruz Sentinel Saxon is nowhere better than in the moments of awkward physical comedy that break unexpectedly into his pompous bouts of self-congratulation. – Philip Pearce, Performing Arts Monterey Bay |
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THE PRICE by Arthur Miller Directed by Joy Carlin |
Jewel Theatre Company, U.S. |
As the other brother Walter, Rolf Saxon is so good he’s scary. By turns full of bravado, then self-deprecation, Saxon is the most complicated and fascinating character to watch. – Joanne Engelhardt, Santa Cruz Sentinel The exemplary Rolf Saxon is both dynamic and touchingly vulnerable. – Philip Pearce, Performing Arts Monterey Bay |
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UNDER BEN BULBEN by Kate Hawley (WORLD PREMIERE) Directed by Paul Mullins |
Jewel Theatre Company, U.S. |
My heart was won, and not for the first time, by Rolf Saxon’s deft turn as a man on the phone to his ex-wife about their daughter’s wedding plans. His reactions to what we know she must be telling him are a master class in technique. Finally, kudos to superb direction by Paul Mullins… Under Ben Bulben – the penultimate offering by Jewel Theatre Company – is a splendid evening of theatre. – Christina Waters, Good Times |
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EUREKA DAY by Jonathan Spector (WORLD PREMIERE) Directed by Josh Costello |
Aurora Theatre Company, U.S. |
Rolf Saxon exudes a hilariously ineffectual aura of conciliation. – Jean Schiffman, San Francisco Examiner Every aspect of “Eureka Day,” performances, costumes and visuals, shines like a new day … hapless Rolf Saxon hilariously tries to squeeze “consensus” from his warring members. – Barry David Horwitz, Theatrius |
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JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA by Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee Directed by Stewart Lee |
UK Tour |
Rolf Saxon is an excellent Jerry [Springer], much because – like Jerry – he never takes center stage but allows the foreground to be occupied by the victims. – Natalie Littlewood, Daily Info, Oxford Rolf Saxon . . . urbane and charming, ever distancing himself from the mayhem he creates (or does he?). – Rod Dungate |
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DEATHTRAP by Ira Levin Directed by Nancy Carlin |
Jewel Theatre Company, U.S. |
For my money, the play belongs to the virtuoso sarcasm of Rolf Saxon. His Sidney Bruhl is mordant, brilliant, drinks too much and fantasizes wearily about future success. But he’s not too weary to stop inventing puns and jokes that he relishes as much as we do. In big, burnished tones Saxon wraps his mouth around his words and exhales them in acid-drenched pronouncements. He is completely delicious. Not too proud to scheme, his character convinces us all to follow him into fiendishly, well-written mayhem. – Christina Waters, Good Times |