Choreography Reviews
. . . anyone can appreciate the earnest intentions and sheer energy displayed on the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre stage in this show . . . the whole package is wrapped together in slick fashion.
. . . it would be even less without the Broadway Palm's high-quality cast, dynamic choreography by Amy Marie McCleary and the strong direction of M. Seth Reines.
In its best moments "High School Musical" reminded me (pleasantly) of the movie "Fame" - especially the rousing lunchroom number that ends the first act with a rollicking jam.
- Drew Sterwald, News Press, Fort Myers, FL
. . . this sparkling production is cleverly put together, well-acted, and fun to watch.
Amy Marie McCleary's energetic choreography incorporates hip-hop with some Fosse-like moves, and her choreography in "Get'cha Head in the Game" is some of the best incorporating basketballs that I've seen . . .
- Nancy Stetson, Florida Weekly, Fort Myers, FL
. . . the brilliant, inventive choreography by Amy Marie McCleary needs to be acknowledged. McCleary's choreographic work is . . . exciting, creative, inspired and memorable. (Cabaret)
- Marsha Wagner, Sanibel Sun, Sanibel, FL
Choreographer Amy Marie McCleary (who also plays Ginger, one of the whores), has done a knockout job with the musical's dance sequences, especially Westlake's "Sidestep" and the Aggies's testosterone-drenched "Aggie Song."
- Nancy Stetson, Florida Weekly, Fort Myers, FL
(The) Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre production . . . dazzles with lively and imaginative choreography by Amy Marie McCleary. Whenever . . . the dynamic dancers of the kinky Kit Kat Klub are on stage togther, the show sizzles. (Cabaret)
- Drew Sterwald, Gulf Coasting, Fort Myers, FL
But this version of life at the Kit Kat Klub works primarily due to three people: director Brian Enzman, who keeps the action speeding along; choreographer Amy Marie McCleary, who's created some nice new moves for her dancers; and John Ramsey Jr. in the pivotal role of Emcee. (Cabaret)
- Marty Crisp, Sunday News,
Arnold also sings as well as the show’s two vocally capable stars . . . (The Pajama Game) - Jim Ruth, Sunday News,
McCleary captivates every time she's on stage, demanding the audience's attention. She's bold, rough around the edges, and completely unapologetic about her sexuality. She's what the entertainers at the Kit Kat Klub should all be like . . . And I can't help but wonder why (the) director . . . didn't cast her as Sally Bowles, the female lead. That's a role she could've really sunk her teeth into, and the show would've been so much the better for it. Kudos to Choreographer/Actress/Singer/Dancer Amy Mccleary who gives a perfect performance in her small role of Fraulein Kost. Her fine rendition of the infectious, yet unnervingly chilling "Tomorrow Belongs to Me" - was overpoweringly devastating. (Cabaret)
Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat . . . is a show stopper with all the right moves. The choreography . . . greatly enhance(s) this fun-filled musical comedy. The spicy number at El Cafe Cubano is quite spectacular. (Guys & Dolls)
- Di Saggou, The River Weekly, Fort Myers, FL
Choreographer Amy Marie McCleary pumps up the energy with flashy choreography that livens up even the dreaded title tune. She even throws in a surprisingly sexy dance number – “I Want You for Christmas” . . . that may give the dads in the audience some extra holiday cheer. (Holly Jolly Christmas)
- Neil Cohen, Echo Magazine,
. . . humor and spirited dancing rule the day, thanks to Stover’s direction and Amy Marie McCleary’s dynamic choreography. (Holly Jolly Christmas)
- Drew Sterwald, The News-Press, Fort Myers, FL
. . . group numbers sparkle as well, with merry moves - thanks to choreographer Amy Marie McCleary. (Monky Business)
- Marsha Wagner, Sanibel-Captiva Islander, Sanibel-Captiva, FL
The choreography by Amy Marie McCleary is brilliant . . . (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change)
- Di Saggau, The Island Sun, Fort Myers, FL
The choreography and the dancing of Haney’s character, the Sleep Tite Pajama Co.’s ditzy bookkeeper, are still the cat’s pajamas in the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre’s current production.
Credit Amy Marie Arnold for both. The Apple’s choreographer, who also co-stars in Haney’s role of Gladys, is the perfect conduit for the sassy “Steam Heat” sophistication of Fosse’s trademark moves: the teacup fingers brushing the brim of a hat, the angular styling, and the naughty pelvic thrusts. (Her partners, Tyler Albright and Dean Sobon, generate some “Heat” of their own, too.)
Arnold also packs the show’s exuberant office-picnic number, “Once a Year Day,” with a canny athleticism punctuated by badminton rackets, hula hoops, baseball bats and randy intentions.
Performance Reviews
If anyone gives emcee Ramsey a run for his dirty money it's McCleary, who not only choreographed the show but plays Fraulein Kost, the strumpet who lives down the hall from Sally and Cliff. McCleary really sinks her teeth into the lascivious character. I can't help wondering what she might have down with Sally Bowles. (Cabaret)
- Drew Sterwald, Gulf Coasting, Fort Myers, Florida
I kept hoping for some kind of spark from the stage, some show of decadence or even naughtiness. . . . that doesn't happen until Amy Marie McCleary (also the show's choreographer) comes on stage as Fraulein Kost, a boarder who entertains a steady stream of men in her room.
- Nancy Stetson, Florida Weekly, Fort Myers, FL
- Marsha Wagner, Sanibel Sun, Fort Myers, FL
A number of supporting performers make this production terrific, including . . . Amy Marie McCleary as Fraulein Kost . . . (Cabaret)
- Jane Holahan, Lancaster New Era, PA
Amy Marie McCleary, who plays the pivotal role of Lola, the devil's temptress and homewrecker, was sexy, sultry and steamy in he terrific rendition of Whatever Lola Wants.
- Di Saggou, The River Weekly News, Fort Myers, FL
Amy Marie McCleary rachets up the heat as a vampy temptress. Her burlesque approach to "Whatever Lola Wants" is vocally and comedically powerful.
- Drew Sterwald, The News-Press, Fort Myers, FL
Lola, played brilliantly by Amy Marie McCleary, tries to tempt young Joe to hold out a little longer in his agreement with the Devil so he will lose his soul and become part of the “dark” team. Amy’s great dances moves and sultry voice are the highlight of this play.
- Edith Tide, Splash Magazine,
Amy is the most fluid, sensuous woman I’ve ever had the pleasure to watch perform and to see her as Lola . . . amazing.
- Bekki Shanklin, Soar Gallery Online,
Amy Marie hits the mark as a glossy, impertinent, ruefully aging and very funny chorus gypsy called Sheila, never overplaying the wise-acre element of her character. (A Chorus Line)
- Marsha Wagner, Islander, Fort Myers, FL
Amy Marie, as a sultry-singing Bombalurina is purr-fect. (Cats)
- Chris Page, Get Out, Mesa, AZ
The chief laugh maker in the cast is Amy Marie McCleary as daughter June, who can't sing but does offer sign-language "interpretations" of the family's songs. (Smoke on the Mountain)
- David N. Dunkle, Patriot News, Carlisle, PA
.