"JIM CROW AND THE RHYTHM DARLINGS" AT THE ESSENTIAL THEATRE: "Jim Crow & The Rhythm Darlings truly captures the love of jazz through exploring the sacrifices different characters make to have a moment on stage. The dialogue is quick paced and smart, the issues are diverse, and the acting is powerful. Not everyday do you come across an intelligent play that explores gender roles, racism, and religion. Jim Crow & The Rhythm Darlings is a harmonious blend of talent, music, and discussion. Definitely a must see." -Kelechi Ubozoh, Atlanta Theatre Examiner "Playwright Vynnie Melis Jim Crow and the Rhythm Darlings draws from a seemingly bottomless wellspring of drama. Director Betty Hart builds to some undeniably gripping confrontations Essential Theatre offers an affecting homage to some of the unsung women of jazz." "Rachel Bodenstein gives Rhoda a funk and rhythm that should fully convince anyone of her fictional heritage, unless, of course, they were predisposed to think the worse of anything told to them in a black musician’s dressing room.... It’s a play about “passing” that you would be foolish to pass on by." -Brad Rudy on Theaterreview.com July 24, 2009 Click here to view an audience's taped comments!
"FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" AT JEWISH THEATRE OF THE SOUTH: "That's even more the case with Chava (Rachel Bodenstein), who commits the unpardonable crime of marrying outside the faith. Bodenstein's account of Tevye's "sweet little bird" is heartbreaking." "But as attitudes begin to change, especially those of his three oldest daughters--Tzeitel (Jerrica Knight-Catania), Hodel (Rita Dolphin) and Chava (Rachel Bodenstein)--Tevye realizes he must change with them... As the women that rattle Tevye's traditional world, Harty, Knight-Catania, Dolphin and Bodenstein also shine, with strong vocals and engaging performances." Dunwoody Crier, Tuesday, May 10, 2005 "Among the supporting players, Rachel Bodenstein excels as the daughter who pushes Tevye to a breaking point by marrying outside her faith. As her romantic interest, David Rossetti is a real discovery—a capable acting talent, with a beautiful singing voice to match, he also dazzles in a couple of show-stopping dance routines (choreographed by Jen MacQueen)." -The Sunday Paper review by Bert Osborne "The cast's standouts were the daughters and their suitors. I especially enjoyed Rachel Bodenstein’s Chava—her characterization was beautiful as was her dancing. Her second act scenes with Tevye and her solo were among the evening’s highlights. " -Theaterreview.com Atlanta Journal Constitution's BEST MUSICAL of 2005: "Fiddler on the Roof." Jewish Theatre of the South. -Wendell Brock - Staff
"THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG" VARIETY SHOW: "Highlights for me include Mr. Jones' .... look of lust with the help of the very funny Ms. Bodenstein." -Robert Drake on the Atlanta Theatre Mailing List "The comic timing of Rachel Bodenstein belongs on SNL or MadTV. A very funny girl!" -Kristie Krabe on the Atlanta Theatre Mailing List
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