Reviews


Pirates of Penzance

As the Pirate King, Andrew Varela seems to be dipped in Depp (black nail polish, permanently arched eyebrow and a twinkle as if he swallowed a Sparrow). His commanding delight is infectious and his singing equally assured.

— Frank Rizzo, Variety, November 5, 2006

Mr. Varela makes a dashing, if not breathtaking, lead pirate.

— Anita Gates, The New York Times, November 26, 2006

If you're going to take a cue from the "Pirates of the Carribean" movies, you might as well have roaring fun with it. And so Andrew Varela does, playing the Pirate King as a rogue's rogue. Varela looks like Jeremy Piven channeling Johnny Depp, and he's certainly costumed and made up to look like he's playing Jack Sparrow for Halloween: eyeliner, drawn eyebrows, black fingernails, bandana, long hair to swing as he swashbuckles. His rousing performance of "The Pirate King" makes for a bravura musical moment.

— Kristina Dorsey, The Day, November 14, 2006

Heading the stellar cast is Andrew Varela as the Pirate King, the roguish leader of a band of silence-challenged pirates. VarelaÕs portrayal — full of swash and buckle, leers, jeers and sly-dog poses — sets the tone for the rest of the actors and actresses.

— Geary Danihy, Brooks Papers, November 19, 2006

Andrew Varela as The Pirate King, with a passing nod to Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, rules the stage. His wicked grin, flashing eyes, and booming baritone command our attention in every scene.

— Don Bourret, The Stafford Reminder, November 21, 2006

As the Pirate King, Andrew Varela is blessed with a robust voice and notable jumping and dancing skills; he is an excellent casting choice.

— Adele Gaster, The Jewish Ledger, November 22, 2006

Andrew Varela is a properly swashbuckling Pirate King, dominating the stage with his presence.

— Irene Backalenick, ConnPost.com, November 17, 2006

Varela's swaggering Pirate King is a shamelessly funny and charismatic performer, half Jack Sparrow, half Caribbean ham. He sings powerfully and with great humor and ably helms this ship.

— Deborah Hornblow, Hartford Courant, October 27, 2006

 

 

Little Women

The vocals all around are strong. Varela is even better than strong in "How I Am" and "Small Umbrella in the Rain". Refreshingly he also manages to create a bona fide character out of the romantically challenged academic who finally musters the courage to profess his love.

— Peter Marks, The Washington Post, June 30, 2006

Andrew Varela almost walks off with the entire show in the last scene as the lovestruck Professor Bhaer.

— Steven Hyden, Appleton Post-Crescent, February 8, 2006

Andrew Varela, as Prof Bhaer, Jo's shy and argumentative suitor, is simply outstanding.

— KMWU St. Louis, February 24, 2006

Little Women also has a couple of secret weapons: character parts and character actors who nearly steal the show. Among them is Andrew Varela as Professor Bhaer. Remember that critic from the boardinghouse in the first scene? Keep your eye on him.

— Martin F. Kohn, Detroit Free Press, December 6, 2005

Andrew Varela's uptight-yet-endearing Professor Bhaer is in fine voice as he transforms from bookish to hesitatingly romantic. "How I Am" might be tedious in the hands of someone less engaging, but Varela makes it a sweet, reflective gem.

— Leanna Yip, BroadwayWorld.com, October 27, 2005

Mr. Varela makes an ideal Professor Bhaer — steady where Jo is flighty, reasonable where she is florid. But Mr. Varela gives us glints of humor and emotion in the professor that hint at passions that could match those of his future wife.

— Jayne Blanchard, The Washington Times, June 30, 2006

Andrew Varela, as Professor Bhaer, crafts a sweet, but strong foil for Jo as she lashes out at life while she finds her way. It is crucial that the character can stand up to her, and he does so with aplomb.

— James Howard, BroadwayWorld.com, April 12, 2006

Andrew Varela is winningly fumblingly-formal and honey toned in "Small Umbrella in the Rain".

— Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle, October 14, 2005

Andrew Varela as the German Professor Bhaer is charming in his shyness, enthusiasm and hesitation in confessing his love for Jo. His proposal scene in Act Two is one of the show's best.

— Debbi K. Swanson, ShowMag.com

Andrew Varela plays Professor Bhaer with warmth and self-effacing good humor, effortlessly morphing the character from an awkward comic figure into a romantic interest.

— Rob Pratt, www.metroactive.com (San Jose), October 20, 2005

Andrew Varela's Professor Bhaer delights with his awkward, sincere charm.

— E. Kyle Minor, New Haven Register, November 24, 2005

Andrew Varela as Professor Bhaer, is so stunningly tounge-tied that it seems a miracle when he sings as well as he does.

— Christine Dolen, Miami Herald, March 17, 2006

The show comes to life a couple of times. Jo's love interest, Professor Bhaer (Andrew Varela, who not only has a great voice but acts with great subtlety) sings the plaintive "How I Am". Their love duet "Small Umbrella in the Rain" is charmingly sung and framed.

— Toby Zinman, Philadelphia Inquirer

Among the supporting characters, Andrew Varela as the professor really stands out.

— Jeff Nelson, Weekly Buzz, February 1, 2006

Andrew Varela sounds vaguely Pakistani instead of German as Professor Bhaer, Jo's love interest.

— Tony Brown, Cleveland Plain-Dealer, May 11, 2006

(I wanted to include this because its so random, and what's Tony got against Pakistan? — AV)

"How I Am" a touching solo by Andrew Varela, who gives a solid performance as Jo's friend, Professor Bhaer.

— Judith Egerton, The Courier Journal, June 8, 2006

Andrew Varela, as Professor Bhaer, provides real chemistry with Jo and croons "How I Am" with great distinction.

— Laurence Vittes, The Hollywood Reporter, Aug 4, 2006

Andrew Varela invests the role of Jo's eventual suitor with more humor and likeability than is usually seen in that character.

— Robert Verini, Variety, Aug 4, 2006

 

 

Les Misérables

Andrew Varela as Jean Valjean posesses a true operatic voice and the acting ability that makes the audience forget he is acting.

— Jenni Johnson, Post and Courier, Feb 28, 2002

Varela displayed a majestic voice and masterful touch in the complex role of Valjean, a changed man who is determined to pursue love and mercy rather than revenge. It was captivating to see the physically imposing Varela sing such sensitive ballads as "Come to Me" and "Bring Him Home" in a light supple falsetto. His gentleness made key scenes more convincing.

— David Yonke, The Toledo Blade, Feb 21, 2002

 

 

Romeo and Bernadette

Andrew Varela plays Bernadette's totally miserable fiancé Tito convincingly, yet manages to convey a comic flamboyance that draws us to him. His second act solo to the music of Rossini is one of the evening's highlights.

— Bob Rendell, Talkinbroadway.com

Andrew Varela is cast as the Tito, the villain you would love to hate if it weren't that he sang so beautifully.

— Dorrie Weiss, Curtainup.com