Review Highlights:
Traboulsi as Cynthia Weil frequently steals the show with her quick one-liners, strong vocals and snappy costumes.
Tina Traboulsi as ‘Cynthia Weil.’ Photo by Jeff Thomas.
…and both deliver strong vocal work. This is also true of Bolander and Traboulsi (Traboulsi, in particular, continues to impress with her work on local stages). Much of the show’s humor comes from these two characters, and both performers display significant comedic chops.
Tina Traboulsi as ‘Cynthia Weil,’ Drew Bolander as ‘Barry Mann.’ Photo by Jeff Thomas.
Traboulsi is especially entertaining as the only native French woman in the group. She also performs on guitar and clarinet.
The Hello Girls (From L to R) – Emily Evans, Sarah Lundstrom, Tina Traboulsi, Jenny Veilleux at SAL. Photo credit Oberlin Photography.
Of special note is Tina Traboulsi’s Louise Le Breton. Her energetically mischievous portrayal helps the long production maintain its pacing.
Beulah F. Vega
Tina Traboulsi, Sarah Lundstrom, Emily Owens Evans and Caroline Shen… lend their fine voices in close harmonies that soar on wings. They could have led the way for the Andrews Sisters who followed years later.
Traboulsi learned French from scratch, with a convincing accent, for her part as Louise.
Cari Lynn Pace
Tina Traboulsi as snarky, witty Louise LeBreton. All bring charm and depth to their characters… Instrumental accompaniments, skillfully provided, include actors: Caroline Shen, Emily Owens Evans, and Tina Traboulsi.
Patricia L. Morin
The story focuses on two families and the changes in their lives during the years 1901-1913, especially the love that develops between George Gibbs (Jaeden Sanchez) and Emily Webb (Tina Traboulsi)… Traboulsi is extraordinary and her range outstanding as her character matures and changes over time.
Flora Lynn Isaacson
Traboulsi is the standout with her charming, delightful, and doomed Emily.
Harry Duke
By 1904, Emily Webb (winsome Tina Traboulsi) and George Gibbs (affable Jaedan Sanchez) are courting from their upstairs windows, like Romeo and Juliet but without the family enmity.
Our Town Photo by Robin Jackson. The Ross Valley Players’ production of ‘Our Town.’
Traboulsi mines incredible nuances in the withdrawn Laura… Relative newcomer Traboulsi is riveting as Laura.
Barry Willis
Traboulsi’s Laura, full of self-doubt and twisted with anxiety, keeps her world inside her head and Traboulsi holds it there beautifully, revealing just enough to make us sympathize with her afflictions as we long for her to break out and join the world which she fears judges her. It’s a quirky and difficult role to pull-off and neither over nor underdone, Traboulsi’s Laura is just right.
Mitchell Field
The Glass Menagerie Photo by Robin Jackson BLUE ROSES The Ross Valley Players’ production of ‘The Glass Menagerie’ stars (from left) Tina Traboulsi, Tamar Cohn and David Abrams. Photo by Robin Jackson
Tina Traboulsi brings all right qualities of awkward shyness and yet an underlying strength to Laura. She eschews a leg brace which is often used in productions, and instead adopts a slight limp, which she of course sees as a monumental obstruction. Jesse Lumb’s warm, comforting and caring gentleman caller is pitch-perfect. His scene lit by candlelight with Laura is a particular highlight of emotional excellence.
The most intriguing part of the production is Traboulsi’s Laura. Instead of focusing on a physical deformity, Laura is stuck in a (frighteningly real) world where neurodivergence leads to institutionalization and lobotomy. This neurodivergent Laura is stronger and more relatable than how the character is usually played.
Beulah F. Vega
Lumb brings all the golden retriever-like ease, energy and charm to Jim while still conveying the tragedy of the character. The two together are electric.
Tina Traboulsi brings vocal energy and creative acting choices to the role of Logainne.
JENNY HOLLINGWORTH
[Held] is a perfect foil in contrast to Traboulsi in her role as a marginally successful artist who cherishes the view from this overbooked room. These actors master their roles…
Cari Lynn Pace
The main cast features several standout performances … from Tina Traboulsi’s inhibited Alice Beinecke to Genevieve Smith’s adorable Cousin Itt.
Beulah F. Vega
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