MISS JAY IN REVIEW
Beauty and the Beast | The 5th Avenue Theatre | 2022 | The Seattle Times | The Stranger | Broadway World
“The diverse cast also added depth to moments that announce the musical’s moral concerns about beauty, beastliness, and power imbalances”
“Director Jay Woods, music director R.J. Tancioco, and choreographer Kathryn Van Meter have taken what works about this wonderful show and amped it up to 11. The humor is ever present in the show and never shied away from. The cast embraces every ridiculous, over the top moment and runs with them. The energy is enough to blow the roof off the theater if the audience cheers don’t do it first”
“Much praise most assuredly should be given to the director, Jay Woods. Woods’ presentation values the source material, giving keen attention to make sure comedic moments came across both lyrically and physically, allowing for the work to also reflect the artistic strengths of the cast and crew.”
CITIZEN by Claudia Rankine, adapted by Steven Sacks | Sound Theatre Company | 2019 | Seattle Times | NW Theatre | Broadway World
“You owe it to yourself—and to your imagination, and to the world around you—to go see this”
THREE-TIME GREGORY AWARD NOMINATED PRODUCTION:
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE
“Directed by Jay O’Leary, whose excellent play “Skeleton Crew” premiered last fall, follows that show with similarly affecting work. O’Leary’s stage is sparse at first, opening the space up for dexterous physical performances.”
“The undertaking was worth it... After they’ve been moved by the performances, and self-examined their contributions to anti-blackness, a sign will greet them in the lobby.
It reads: ‘Now what?’”
“The 75-minute piece as directed by Jay O’Leary is incredibly tight with not an ounce of wasted time or space... This is certainly not an easy show to be faced with, especially as a white person, but the stories need to be told and told and told until we stop getting new stories. And when told like this, the bitter pill goes down a lot easier.”
REPARATIONS by Darren Canady | Sound Theatre Company | 2020 | Seattle Times | Broadway World | South Seattle Emerald
“This production is stacked with so much talent—it is certainly one of the most highly anticipated shows of the season.”
“O’Leary conveys the story quite well without ever hitting us over the head with it”
“‘Reparations’ doesn’t pretend to answer the thorny questions it raises, beyond an affirmation that whatever damage lies in the past, we owe our love to the present. But sometimes asking, not answering, is the key.”
B by Guillermo Calderon | Washington Ensemble Theatre | 2019 | The Stranger | Seattle Times | APF Crosscut
“‘B’ doesn’t specify anything about sets or costumes in its script, but Washington Ensemble Theatre director Jay O’Leary and her design team (set by Lex Marcos, lights by Tristan Roberson, costumes by Ricky German) find just the right visual fusion of deadliness and absurdity to complement Calderón’s strange comedy of menace.”
“All due credit to director Jay O’Leary, who found the humor in every scene and brought out some real talent from these actors.”
“B will leave you contemplating human nature long after you’ve left the theater.”
Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morisseau | ArtsWest Playhouse | 2018 | Seattle Times | Broadway World | Seattle Gay Scene
“Skeleton Crew is extraordinary in its telling of the ordinary moments in the lives of its strong and engaging characters, and ArtsWest’s sharp production does it justice...Jay O’Leary’s direction is right-on”
“Given ample room to breathe by director Jay O’Leary, and strong performances from the actors, the characters develop organically…”
“With a compelling story and a killer cast, Arts West has produced another winner. Director Jay O’Leary has staged a show that moves with both ease and intensity”
Welcome to Arroyo’s by Kristoffer Diaz | Theater Schmeater | 2018 | Broadway World | Seattle Gay Scene
“Director Jay O’Leary speaks about the shows emotional rhythms. Indeed the story beats with a pulse that is underlined by the music and accentuated with the lighting. The show breaths, and occasionally makes you hold your breath.”
“The strengths here are Mr. Diaz’s excellent play itself but also the assured direction from Jay O’Leary…she does an excellent job of staging the play’s various locales within the rather small confines of the Schmee’s performance space.”
“Expertly guided by director Jay O’Leary, this kick ass cast tells the story of a brother and sister reeling from the recent loss of their mother.”
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”