" I experienced your production of HAIR on Saturday AND Sunday. I feel compelled to tell you what a wonderful show it was. I cried my eyes out both times. I watched
the bootleg of the Broadway revival on Monday night and I was stunned at what a different story it told (or didn't tell). The talent on Broadway is amazing, but the
direction was just so different. It is my opinion that this show was written to obtain an emotional response from its audience. To make a point. I will be honest in saying
that up until Saturday evening I was never THAT thoughtful or emotional about ANY war. I know that sounds horrible. I just put it into a little box and tried not to deal
with it. Your direction of HAIR brought out the horror of war and the realities that accompany it. The hallucination scene and every bit that followed it was soul-
wrenching and made this very "out there" show MAKE SENSE. I have to say, even watching the beautiful and talented Gavin Creel, I had no emotional response to
the Broadway story. None. Thank you for this show. I wish more people could have experienced it. Thanks again!"-Becky
"This (Hair) was a very moving, engaging performance. Excellent cast, brilliant staging, terrific orchestra and singing. We both cried more than once. Lots of
wonderful, fun details, such as cast members greeting us outside the venue before the show to give us flowers (to wear in our hair, of course!). Go see it!"-Linda
"RAGTIME - a big musical in it self. Is one of the best Regional theater productions i have seen in Nor Cal - with no equity help. The powerful moving performance of
LaMont Ridgell as Coalhouse Walker. Stops the show at times. His "till we reach that day" that closes the first act, brings tears to the Alameda crowds. On opening
night the classic portrait opening for this musical called "prologue" stopped the show. The crowd on opening night would not let the show continue til they let up on
their applause 2 or 3 minutes later. I have never seen that for a relational company. This due goes to the brilliant creative Director of the ACLO Jeff Teague. Jeff
paints wonder portraits with his strong cast through out the show. A huge cast of young and old.. with one thing in common - a powerful chorus on stage with some great
lead performance's." -Vince
"We thoroughly enjoyed this show, the sets, the costumes, the special effects and the choreography were great, the singing was awesome, the acting was believable
and there are bright futures ahead for these actors. Well worth it to go see this one. We are looking forward to future shows this season." -Mark
“Ragtime is a truly magnificent piece of art, in my opinion the last great American musical of the 20th century, and I want to tell you all that each and every cast
member, crew member, staff member, and musician can be very proud of ACLO’s production and the work you have done – you do the piece proud and the audience
response, from where I sat, showed that they recognized how effectively you realized the piece put it over to them. I could tell that individual actors had done research
and “got” what they were saying and doing and the way their characters fit into the overall arch of the piece and meanings in the plot. (Something that one does not
always see, believe it or not). I will not single out individual performances - suffice to say that if I did I would spend a lot of time writing about each one and how
wonderful they are! – because the work of everyone in every scene creates the wonderful tapestry, atmosphere, and emotions of each beat of the work. The show is
monstrously difficult technically and the work of the stage crew are a vital and effective part of the whole effect. The orchestra, from my seat, never overpowered the
singing or dialogue. I was moved to tears several times and thoroughly enjoyed watching ACLO’s production of this, one of my very very favorite musicals. I just
wanted you to know as you continue and finish the run that you have something very special and I hope you, as Mother says, keep it “here.” Bravo to everyone for all
of their hard work and talent. It has paid off. "-Dean
"This was a phenomenal production (West Side Story). The dancing and singing were excellent and the staging of the production was magnificent and very original. I
thought that the leads were fantastic particularly Robert Lopez who played Tony and Donna Rappa-Olsen who played Anita. The woman who played Maria was an
excellent actress with a sweet voice. Her final scene brought tears to everyone in the audience including the leather jacketed ponytailed biker sitting in front of me. He
was sobbing. That's when you know a cast and director have done a suberb job. The orchestra was top notch. Folks should run to this production which has its final
weekend next week." -Phillip
"Great show (Kiss Me Kate)! ACLO usually does good stuff and this show proves that point. Amazing costumes, sets, orchestration, and choreography. They all
sparkled. The cast was top notch. Leads were strong, well cast, and set the tone. Supporting cast & ensemble were superb!! And Cole Porter rocks!! Go see it!" -Judy
"KISS ME, KATE is a FANTASTIC show, and this production was first-rate! You'll encounter some all-time great showtunes, which you may not have realized came
from KMK, along with loads of oletime Broadway 'razzmatazz'! This Alameda Light Opera production featured terrific dancing, and several outstanding vocal leads!
Highest recommendation -- and congratulations to everyone involved in the production!"-Peter
"I just wanted to thank your whole company for the Aida performance I attended this past Sunday. I am thrilled ! Having not been to any of your performances before,
I was thoroughly delighted with what I saw and heard. The friend who treated me, had seen it in New York and SF and she too, felt it was tops. There were wet eyes all
around us, including my own. I not only thank you for the great performance,...I believe it showed a very important lesson that it is taking a long time for many of to
learn. This production did that seamlessly and I am very proud of Alameda for that. We can't change each other's hearts, but we can plant seeds that make it possible
for people to SEE and HEAR , and FEEL reasons to change their own hearts. Again I congratulate and thank you for this performance, and look forward to others in
the future." -Jacquelyn
"What a fabulous job you all are doing at ACLO-Aida totally rocked! I think it's fab that your local reviewers mentioned how they enjoyed the show, actors, and story,
but they've obviously overlooked the amazing direction! Jeff is just so wonderfully inventive and really understands how to fill the stage with the STORY, not a bunch of
chorus lines--which I've gratefully never seen in his shows, or allow design to upstage his drama, but he just has such a wonderful sense of motion, enlivened
storytelling, the BEST choreography of any ACLO shows, and makes me so damn proud of MY city and OUR theatre. You know I'm a total snob having studied with
all the greats from Broadway and Hollywood, but I honestly think I have as much fun at a Jeff Teague show as any musical theatre I've seen in ages! How lucky we are
to have him creating such high quality performances (all over town!) for us." -Allison
"I just wanted to tell you how much I loved Aida tonight. It was a triumph. The casting was superb, the lighting and sets were magical, and I honestly can say I think it
was one of ACLO’s very best. I am not a gusher and I’m pretty critical, but I really want you to know that this show is terrific and I am so honored to be associated with it.
All the best for continued success and prosperity."-Denise
"Hey Jeff - you weren't around the night I saw Evita - Wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the production - It was flawlessly cast and beautifully staged - very moving
- I have followed your career for some time - from Hello Dolly to Victor Victoria and Fiddler here to JC Superstar, Chorus line, and Sweeny Todd at Alameda -- you
have grown as a director and I truly admire your work. It is a pleasure to see a solid concept to ably executed."-John
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