GregGanakas
Carousel
7 Brides
Porgy and Bess
Brigadoon
Caroline
George M!
Grease
Annie
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CAROUSEL – Virginia Opera
“Directed and choreographed by Greg Ganakas, who also helmed Virginia Opera’s original “Carousel,” the company’s current iteration of the show is an exciting, visually stunning production that’s loaded with energy and emotion and highlighted by a mixed cast of Broadway and opera singers who are somehow able to blend their distinctive vocal styles into a seamlessly flowing, first rate presentation.”
The Washington Times
“The revival of SEVEN BRIDES turns out to be rousingly sung and spectacularly danced in a production that surpasses the 1954 MGM musical…Dance, in fact, is what Greg Ganakas’ hard-driving but effortless production is all about.
Ganakas has skillfully individualized the brothers, giving each a distinct personality. With its tight direction, canny arrangements and orchestrations and rip-roaring dancing, [this production] has nearly succeeded in refurbishing a new work for the Broadway canon.”
The Hartford Courant
“It's an agreeable surprise that Goodspeed Musicals has turned this cubic zirconia into a real gem of a show. The staging is distinguished by the tasteful and authoritative eye of director Greg Ganakas…and a cast of likable lumberjacks and sassy frontier gals that would make any pioneer proud.”
Variety
SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS—Goodspeed Opera House
“Everything in stage director Greg Ganakas' new take on George Gershwin's 1934 opera pulls together to powerhouse effect as it relates its stories of love, faith and endurance among the denizens of Catfish Row.”
“…Ganakas is keeping the teeming stage in constant, at times kaleidoscopic, motion in a show that often breaks into terrific dance and fight choreography, but without sacrificing our focus on the singers.”
"With near-perfect calculation of what was needed, stage director Greg Ganakas gave the cast movement that both looked natural and had purpose. He also chose the right times to stop the action, allowing attention to go to just one or two characters."
Richmond Times-Dispatch
PORGY AND BESS – Virginia Opera
**Winner of the CT Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Musical and Outstanding Production of a Musical
“As directed by Greg Ganakas, this Shangri-La love story unfolds as one of Goodspeed’s most magical productions-a rich exploration of the first Lerner and Loewe hit, which boasts some of the greatest songs they ever wrote together. BRIGADOON has everything a musical theater fan could want and Ganakas weaves it all together.”
The Hartford Courant
“Thanks to director Greg Ganakas and the handsome performers, BRIGADOON seems as fresh and fair as heather on the hill.”
Variety
BRIGADOON—Goodspeed Opera House
**Helen Hayes Award Winner
“Studio's juicy production, ably staged by director Greg Ganakas, does justice to this tricky material, at times dry-eyed and hard-edged, at others deeply sentimental.”
“The real drama of "Caroline, or Change" is in the characters' epiphanies, large and small, and fortunately, Ganakas, serving as both choreographer and director, stages musical numbers effectively.”
The Washington Post
“Ganakas’ take on the tragedy of Caroline Thibodeaux feels thoroughly human, even as it’s finding expressively lo-tech ways to stage the show’s whimsical frills.”
The Washington Weekly
CAROLINE, OR CHANGE – Studio Theatre
GEORGE M!—Goodspeed Opera House
“GEORGE M! deserves its exclamation point. Greg Ganakas, who also worked his magic on Goodspeed’s PAJAMA GAME, directs the piece with fizzy energy and creative elan.”
The New London Day
“Hallelujah! The Goodspeed Opera House is whipping up a Yankee doodle dandy of a revival of Broadway’s 1968 bio-graphical musical GEORGE M! With a terrific cast, fast-paced, seamless direction and choreography, and a glorious flurry of period costumes…Director Greg Ganakas and choreographer Randy Skinner have worked hand in hand so that book scenes and dance scenes flow together seamlessly.”
Variety
“Ganakas, who last year put a lively spin on PAJAMA GAME, is proving a major find for Goodspeed, able to generate a contagious momentum while insinuating moments of emotional depth.”
The Hartford Courant
GREASE--Darien Broadway Theatre
“More garish productions have been around; the Darien GREASE has an understated authenticity that radiates an almost lyrical grace. The striking montage... and all the dances, choreographed by Mr. Ganakas, have a sweet, not saccharine, elation.”
The New York Times
ANNIE--Paper Mill Playhouse
* Starring Sarah Hyland of "Modern Family"
“Paper Mill’s new production is certainly miles above the revival, with tons of heart and soul.”
Musicals101.com
“You can bet your bottom dollar this production is a real crowd pleaser. This delightful family favorite takes on a fresh new look at Paper Mill. Director Greg Ganakas does a top-notch job keeping an amazingly strong cast focused and upbeat in this colorful production.”
Talkinbroadway.com
THE PAJAMA GAME—Goodspeed Opera House
“Goodspeed’s impressively cast new production has been directed with unswerving verve and touching humor by Greg Ganakas, who also has provided choreography that suggests Fosse but does not exaggerate the off-kilter, jagged style.”
The Hartford Courant
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF—North Carolina Theatre
“Director Greg Ganakas takes a fresh approach to FIDDLER…Ganakas recasts the show’s events in darker, more sinister shades…Indeed, this masterpiece of American musical theatre has seldom looked, sounded, and felt so good.”
Voice of North Carolina
THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM--Sharon Stage
“Director/Choreographer Greg Ganakas goes straight for the musical’s theatricality. With a wink and nudge, Ganakas and his superb cast never let us forget we are watching a playful theatrical entertainment, while at the same time they draw us into the heart of the story.”
The Sharon Chronicle
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – North Shore Music Theatre
*Recipient of the Moss Hart Award for Best Direction and Best Production
“Best production of the year! The best part of this totally outstanding holiday production is the staging. Everything from the use of the off-stage spotlight on musicians, to the nimble pair of dancing acrobats that appear in almost every scene, to the special effects, make this a very lavish production.”
Boston Globe