REVIEWS and OTHER PRESS
Shows Directed
Four Weddings and an Elvis @ Eastbound Theatre Company-Milford Arts Council / Milford CT
"Having seen “4 Weddings and an Elvis” before, Nancy Frick’s play at its best is all about fun. That’s just what opening night audiences at Eastbound experienced — lots and lots of fun"
"The audience went wild for all of it - the actors as well as the play."
""...spontaneous applause and plenty of laughter...the most enthusiastic audience this reviewer has ever experienced."
"Tanya Feduik-Smith directs the production, provides the sound design and she designed the attractive set"
Joanne Greco Rochman – Milford Mirror
It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play @ Vagabond Theatre Company / Bridgeport and Stony Creek CT
'It's A Wonderful Life' a Big Hit At Stony Creek Museum in Branford...The Christmas classic performed as a live radio play to enthusiastic crowds."
"celebrate the Christmas season the way folks did in yesteryear ... A returning favorite"
It’s A Wonderful Life at the Bijou - Keith Loria, Shelton Herald
"Like the city where they have produced plays — Bridgeport — the Vagabond Theatre Company is scrappy and hopeful, despite big challenges. " -
Vagabond Theatre Company is home again as it returns to Bridgeport - Joe Meyers, CT Post
Nominated for Eight 2019 BroadwayWorld.com Awards (CT Region):
Best Theatrical Special Event
Best Play (Non-Equity)
Best Director of a Play (Non-Equity) - Tanya Feduik-Smith
Best Ensemble Performance in a Play (Non-Equity)
Outstanding Actor in a Play (Non-Equity) - Michael Wright/Jake Laurents as George Bailey
Outstanding Actress in a Play (Non-Equity) - Danielle Gervais/Lana Sherwood as Violet Bick, et al
Best Sound Design - Tanya Feduik-Smith
Best Costume Design - Tanya Feduik-Smith
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest @ The Bijou Theatre / Bridgeport CT
Geoffrey Gilbert as RP McMurphy - Named 2016 OnStage Critics Awards (CT/NY) Region
"masterfully directed ... a searing yet poignant production ... The casting was brilliant ... staggeringly well-done"
Wayne J. Keeley, Pillow Talking @ SomedayProds.com
"A smashing success. ... Feduik-Smith allowed the actors to develop without becoming caricatures of mental patients. ... a must-see!"
Stephanie C. Lyon, Pillow Talking @ SomedayProds.com
"‘sets a new bar ... Feduik Smith masterfully paces the piece ... simply marvelous ... I could not recommend seeing this more. "
Steve Gifford, onstageblog.com
Nominated for Six 2016 OnStage Critics Awards (CT/NY) Region -
Outstanding Play
Best Director of a Play - Tanya Feduik-Smith
Outstanding Cast in a Play
Outstanding Actor in a Play - Geoffrey Gilbert/RP McMurphy (WINNER)
Outstanding Actress in a Play - Avery Eady/Nurse Ratched
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play - John R. Smith, Jnr/Dale Harding
Nominated for Eleven 2016 BroadwayWorld.com Awards (CT Region):
Best Play
Best Director of a Play - Tanya Feduik-Smith
Best Ensemble Performance in a Play
Outstanding Actor in a Play - Geoffrey Gilbert/RP McMurphy
Outstanding Actress in a Play - Avery Eady/Nurse Ratched
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play - John R. Smith, Jnr/Dale Harding
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play - Jhulenty Delossantos/Billy Bibbit
Best Younger Actor/under age 25 - Jhulenty Delossantos/Billy Bibbit
Best Younger Actress/under age 25 -- Betzabeth Castro/Candy Starr
Best Set Design - Tanya Feduik-Smith
Best Sound Design - Tanya Feduik-Smith
The Scarlet Letter @ Vagabond Theatre Company / Fairfield CT
"With dark humor, sensuality, a bit of witchery, and on-point narration by Hester’s young and unruly, illegitimate daughter Pearl ... bringing the sheer evil and ugliness of this warped tale of Puritan society to the forefront ... Feduik-Smith did an outstanding job of bringing out the strength and fierce independence of The Scarlet Letter’s female characters, all who remain firm in their beliefs, despite the deep-rooted patriarchal conceptions and control of the era. ... The Vagabonds have shown from the outset that hurdles are things to be conquered and never sources of defeat. ... There also were multiple scheduling issues resulting in staging changes and even casting changes – but the Vagabonds have proven to be resilient, passionate, dedicated, and strong. I’m personally looking very forward to their next production and many more to come."
Stephanie Lyons-Keeley, Pillow Talking @ Somedayprods.com
" true art performed by true artists. ... performed with such a high caliber of professionalism and artistry ... The husband-and-wife producing team of Tanya Feduik-Smith and John R. Smith, Jr. did a fantastic job of bringing this play to life. ... Ms. Feduik-Smith's staging and blocking were exemplary ... she did not disappoint. Nor did the talented cast that she assembled ...As Jerzy Kosiński said, “The principles of true art is not to portray, but to evoke.” Vagabond more than succeeded in this aim ... I was honored and thrilled to be at the birth of this new company."
Wayne Keeley, Pillow Talking @ Somedayprods.com
"raw, simple and natural ... brilliantly acted and orchestrated under Feduik-Smith's steadied direction." -
James V. Ruocco, From the Desk of Jim R, Take 2
Nominated for 2017 Broadwayworld Awards (CT Region) :
Best Younger Actress (under 25)) : Betzabeth Castro/Pearl
Acting Performances
The Psychic @ Clockwork Rep / Oakville CT
"a witty fun-filled, laugh-out-loud comedy with a dash of murder and a generous amount of mystery. ... <Feduik-Smith as> Laura is subtly genuine as she is gracious. "
Shows Produced
The Exonerated @ The Bijou Theatre / Bridgeport CT
"this show is amazing...The heart-wrenching stories which were so movingly conveyed by this talented cast ... should make all audience members think twice before pointing fingers at anyone"
Nominated for Six 2018 BroadwayWorld.com Awards (CT Region):
Best Actor in a Play (Non-Equity): Elijah Manning / Robert Hayes
Best Actress in a Play (Non-Equity): Monica O'Brien / Sunny Jacobs
Best Ensemble Performance in a Play (Non-Equity)
Best Director of a Play (Non-Equity): Richard Mancini
Best Sound Design (Non-Equity): Tanya Feduik-Smith
Best Play (Non-Equity)
DOG SEES GOD: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead @ The Warehouse Blackbox-PAC of CT / Trumbull CT
Named 2017 Onstage Critics’ Awards (NY/CT) - Outstanding Cast in a Play
"Brash, crazy, exciting and hilariously conceived ... one of the most innovative productions of the theatrical year ... a thrilling, non-stop roller-coaster ride" "Do not miss this production"
Jim Ruocco, From the Desk of Jim R, Take 2
"a young, talented, vibrant cast ... as solid as Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata" "well-staged, well-directed and well produced hilarious satire."
Wayne Keeley (Pillow Talking /He Says)
"truly extraordinary ... Each character was so layered, so rich and ... incredibly nuanced" "alternatingly raunchy, funny, and dark, ... It is a poignant look at real-life situations and real people, albeit over-the-top ones. ... This one is surely a must-see"
Stephanie Lyons-Keeley of (Pillow Talking She Says)
"Bitingly funny" "Cleverly constructed" & "Quite amazing"
Nancy Sasso Janis, OnStageBlog.com
Nominated for Six 2017 Onstage Critics’ Awards (NY/CT) :
Outstanding Cast in a Play (WINNER)
Outstanding Play
Outstanding Direction of a Play - Michael Mele
Outstanding Actor in a Featured Role in a Play - Joe Zumbo
Outstanding Actor in a Featured Role in a Play - Ian C Smith
Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in a Play - Ryan Shea
Nominated for Nine 2017 Broadwayworld.com Awards (CT Region):
Best Play
Best Ensemble in a Play
Best Director of a Play - Michael Mele
Best Actor in a Play - Ryan Shea
Best Featured Actor in a Play - Ian C Smith
Best Featured Actress in a Play - Vicki Pellitier
Best Featured Actress in a Play - Hannah Pearsal
Best Younger Actor (Under 25) - Ian C Smith
Best Younger Actress (Under 25) - April Lichtman
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot @ The Warehouse Blackbox-PAC of CT / Trumbull CT
"Thought-provoking, intense, intellectually stimulating, engrossing ... The cast is superb"
Wayne J. Keeley, Pillow Talking @ SomedayProds.com
"The Vagabonds did a wonderful job of evoking the feel of a dim, dark Purgatory ... They impressively bring this rich text to life ... A flamboyant, emotionally-laden piece ... most assuredly a terrific success for this infant troupe."
Stephanie C. Lyon, Pillow Talking @ SomedayProds.com
"Spectacular" "Outstanding" "Perfect" "Vulgarity-laced"
Nancy Sasso Janis, onstageblog.com
Nominated for Two 2017 Onstage Critics’ Awards (NY/CT) :
Justine Wiesinger - Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Lynette Victoria - Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role in a Play
Nominated for Ten 2017 Broadwayworld.com Awards (CT Region):
Best Play
Best Ensemble in a Play
Best Director of a Play - Mat Young
Best Actor in a Play - John T Liszweski
Best Actress in a Play - Lynnette Victoria
Best Featured Actor in a Play - John R Smith Jnr
Best Featured Actor in a Play - Eric J Dino
Best Featured Actress in a Play - Maggie Pangrazio
Best Featured Actress in a Play - Justine Wiesinger
Best Lighting Design - Tanya L Feduik-Smith
Take Me Out @ The Bijou Theatre / Bridgeport CT
"a frank exploration of homophobia and racism...Ferociously funny and darkly dramatic, “Take Me Out” certainly meets those qualifications, and audiences seem to agree."
Edwin Gronberg, Milford Mirror
"skillfully directed by Richard Mancini...They all hit it out of the park...thought-provoking and relevant. It shows both the bright and dark sides of social acceptance."
Stephanie Lyons-Keeley, Pillow Talking @ Someday Productions
"It is rare indeed for artistic directors, theatres, and producers to bring such a daring play to community theatre. When it does happen, as in this case, you should have someone Take You Out to see it!"
Wayne Keeley, Pillow Talking @ Someday Productions
Nominated for Three 2016 Onstage Critics’ Awards (NY/CT) :
Outstanding Actor in a Play: Ainsley Andrade/Darren Lemming
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play: Mike L'altrella/Shane Mungitt
Outstanding Sound Design: Tanya Fediuk-Smith
Nominated for Eight 2016 Broadwayworld.com Awards (CT Region):
Best Play
Best Actor in a Play: Ainsley Andrade/Darren Lemming
Best Featured Actor in a Play: Mike L'altrella/Shane Mungitt
Best Costume Design: Tanya Feduik-Smith
Best Director of a Play: Richard Mancini
Best Ensemble Performance in a Play
Best Set Design: John Smith & Tanya Feduik-Smith
Best Sound Design: Tanya Feduik-Smith
Other Press
Vagabond Theatre Company is home again as it returns to Bridgeport - Joe Meyers, CT Post
We spoke with Joe about VTC, pushing the theatrical envelope with bold show choices, the difficulties of finding performance space having none of our own, ticking off bucket list shows, It's a Wonderful Life and how it's the closest we will ever get to a musical.
FEBRUARY 2018 - ARTIST OF THE MONTH FEATURE - VAGABOND THEATRE COMPANY
We were honored to be named BAT's Artist of the Month for Feb 2018. We did a quick Q&A with BAT about VTC, our two-show return to The Bijou , our production of The Exonerated, and The Exonerated Fund
I Have Seen The Future of Men - By Ed Martin
An honest and thoughtful look at how the rehearsal process of Take Me Out struck chords with the cast, crew, and producers, and how that sheds light on the underlying themes of Jack Meyers' book The Future of Men .
A truly beautiful read.
Vagabond Theatre Company Established by Former Bijou Artistic Team
A brief announcement of the launch of the Theatre Company a started with my husband after we were told the management team lost their lease on our old theatre.
Vagabond Theatre Seeks Support To Stage Its Inaugural Season In Fairfield
A story on our fundraising efforts for the first season of VTC
Native American Theater Takes Its Heritage Front and Center
A story on Algonkuin Theater Company, and their production of Much Ado About Nothing I directed.