The Dancing Fox: Wisdom Tales of the Middle East (Mettawee River Theatre Company, Sept 2014)
Theatrescene.com - R. Pikser
( http://www.theaterscene.com )
Jan-Peter Pedross is the exception. Not only does he develop his movement and voice differently according to each character, each mask or prop becomes an extension of his body. The puppet or the mask becomes more alive for the audience and so does the performer. This technique takes a long time to develop and is a pleasure to see.
THE NIGHTMARE 'DREAM' (NYC Fringe, August 2013)
Theatre Is Easy - Tzipora Kaplan
( http://www.theasy.com/Reviews/FringeFestival/2013/thenightmaredream.php )
The actors do a splendid job, with particular nods to Jan-Peter Pedross (Theseus), Greg Horton (Egeus), and Patrick Toon (Oberon) for their part in the verbal slapstick and spit-takes.
The Villager - Maeve Gately
( http://thevillager.com/2013/08/15/bard-meets-bram/ )
...the two doctors [Jan-Peter Pedross and Greg Horton] studying [Renfield's] condition shout out hilariously overblown diagnoses accompanied by thunderclap sound effects. The characters stare out into the audience at exactly the right moments, self-referential and lightly aware of their own ridicule, so that every dramatic moment becomes a point of raucous laughter for the onlookers.
NYtheatre.com - Carissa Cordes
( http://www.nytheatre.com/Show/Index/2013-the-nightmare-dream )
... [Greg] Horton plays Egeus/The Doctor with gusto and Jan-Peter Pedross as Theseus, makes quite the comedic pairing with Horton.
Curtainup.com - Kathryn Osenlund
( http://www.curtainup.com/fringe13.html#Dream )
Dracula "consorts with black brow'd night" and reigns over Titania and her fairies, who are snarling vampires. Theseus [Jan-Peter Pedross] and Egeus [Greg Horton], a terrific comedy duo, weave through this fun concoction. Mad Renfield quotes Shakespeare and Stoker with equal blazing delirium. I'd love to see more dovetailing of the two stories' details, but with the bright acting, outsize histrionic posturing, and inspired costumes, The Nightmare 'Dream' is a solid fringe offering, sure to please -- oh, I mean scare.
NY Times Blog and print - Anita Gates
( http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/16/new-york-fringe-festival-report-the-nightmare-dream/?_r=0 )
BLOOD BROTHERS (APAC, May 2013)
Theatre Is Easy - Molly Marinek
( http://www.theasy.com/Reviews/2013/B/bloodbrothers.php )
The cast of Blood Brothers is highly capable and exceedingly energetic as they work together to tell the story, contributing even from the sidelines.
The Queens Courier - Georgina Young-Ellis
( http://www.qgazette.com/news/2013-05-15/Features/APACs_Blood_Brothers.html )
My idea of a perfect musical combines a compelling story, stirring music, innovative design, extraordinary singing voices and acting that isn’t sacrificed to the musicality. Such is APAC’s production of Blood Brothers...standouts are...Jan-Peter Pedross, who steals the scenes whenever he appears as Gynecologist/Policeman/Teacher.
“A tasteful revival of a worthwhile show, which you will want to catch whether or not you have seen the musical before,” John Simon, Theater Critic
TheatreMania.com- Georgina Young-Ellis
( http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/reviews/05-2013/blood-brothers_65134.html?cid=news-ticker)
Wojtunik's well-sung, appealingly simple production...ominous from the moment the audience enters...uniformly strong ensemble...If you're willing to venture into Queens — and you should — it'll be worth the trip.
URINETOWN (Secret Theatre, January 2013)
The Queens Courier - Cliff Kasden
( http://queenscourier.com/blog-entry/tony-winner-at-secret-theatre/ )
Crazy as a fox Caldwell B. Cladwell is well dressed and well played by Jan-Peter Pedross.
Theatre Is Easy - Tzipora Kaplan
( http://www.theasy.com/Reviews/2013/U/urinetown.php )
Everywhere I looked, things were deliciously hilarious. The leads (Will Sevedge as Bobby Strong, Brittney Santoro as Hope Cladwell, Jan-Peter Pedross as Cladwell, Lindsay Naas as Pennywise, Brandon Schraml as Officer Lockstock, and Macaela Sears as Little Sally) all do exceptional turns onstage, at all times both hammy and completely sincere.
The Artswire - Mateo Moreno
( http://www.theartswire.com/reviews/a-priviledge-to-pee-a-review-of-urinetown-the-musical.html )
Brittney Santoro is wide-eyed and pitch perfect as Hope, the daughter of the man running things (which would be Cladwell, played by Jan-Peter Pedross)...Pedross is often funny but mugs a bit too much (still, if you're going to mug, this is a good show for it. Just know when to do it). Nonetheless, he does provide a good deal of fun in the show.
RECKLESS (Gallery Players, December 2011)
The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation blog - November 2012 - year end best of blog
( http://www.nyitawards.blogspot.com/2012/11/embarrassment-of-riches.html )
Embarrassment of Riches: Contributed by Hillary Cohen
Independent theater in New York City was an embarrassment of riches in the 2011-2012 season...That shock of surprise also happened for me at Reckless last Christmas. I knew the plot before attending, but somehow Jan-Peter Pedross’ acting was disarming, I was disappointed by his character’s unflattering past all over again...
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Gallery Players, January 2011)
nytheatre.com review archive- January 29, 2011
( http://www.nytheatre.com/showpage.aspx?s=drow11086 )
What a fun zippy show this is! As this is a real ensemble effort, I feel that everyone deserves a mention...Jan-Peter Pedross as the butler, Underling, brings a nice balance to his duties and duet...[an] hour and 45 minutes of theatrical joy.
GOD BLESS YOU, MISTER SCROOGE! (Gnobs Productions, La Tea Theatre, December 2009)
THE NEW YORK TIMES - December 11, 2009
( http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/theater/11holiday.html )
Janet Hopf actually elevates the old miser in her interesting God Bless You, Mister Scrooge!, in which the fellow who in Dickens is so easily manipulated by those ghosts is given a backbone. He debates economics with the apparitions, offers capitalism's arguments against encouraging people to rely on handouts, and apologizes for nothing. "My wealth is a measure not of what I take from the world but what I give to it," he says. Jan-Peter Pedross is quite good as Scrooge, and Marley's ghost (Marc Geller) is creepy as can be, making the already chilly La Tea Theater at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center on the Lower East Side even more so.
VIOLET (Gallery Players, February 2002)
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Beth Alpin, 2/22/07
(http://www.brooklyneagle.com/archive/category.php?category_id=12&id=11401)
...In “Raise Me Up,” their electrifying voices, coupled with the fervent preaching of a hankie-waving televangelist (an unforgettable Jan-Peter Pedross), make for a scarily lifelike rendition of conservative Christian programming...
MAN OF LA MANCHA (Gallery Players, May 2008)
NYTHEATER.COM, Debbie Hoodiman Beaudom, April 26, 2008
(http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/showpage.php?t=man6302)
Jan-Peter Pedross' performance as Cervantes/Quixote works well because the actor completely submits himself to the idealism of the part. When the song--that song—came up, I later thought about how difficult it must be for an actor to perform a known "show-stopper" and still feel like the character, not an actor performing in a theatre. [Director Tom] Wojtunik places him downstage center, facing the audience, declaring his quest directly to the crowd, and he pulls it off. Another thing I commend about his performance is his clear transitions between characters, for he plays three men: Cervantes, Quixote, and Alonso Quijana.
THE FAB MARQUEE, Antonio Miniño, May 4, 2008
(http://thefabmarquee.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html)
Jan-Peter Pedross portrays a tender and dreamy-eyed Cervantes, his conviction and boldness towards the role embarks the audience on a powerful journey.
SHOW SHOWDOWN, Aaron Riccio, May 10, 2008
(http://showshowdown.blogspot.com/2008/05/man-of-la-mancha.html)
And Jan-Peter Pedross may not look (he's a bit too composed) or sound (either flat or singing in a lower key) like the Don Quixote you imagined, but his needs are palpable, and his actions are clear.
SHOW SHOWDOWN, Patrick Lee, April 27, 2008
(http://showshowdown.blogspot.com/2008/04/man-of-la-mancha.html)
Although vocal stress kept Jan-Peter Pedross from making an ideal Cervantes at the performance I saw, his performance was otherwise well-judged and quietly touching.
BROADWAY BULLET, John Delamar, May 25, 2008
(http://www.broadwaybullet.com/?cat=6)
A strong cast lead by Jan-Peter Pedross do more than merely perform parts – they live them. Pedross’ Cervantes is intoxicating, alive, and vital. His desperation shining through the lively title song and somber ballads. One complaint can be lodged against Mr. Pedross, though. MAN OF LA MANCHA is much like GYPSY!, you wait for the song you know, “Impossible Dream”, and when it comes, you want it to be astounding, to really rock the foundation of what you have come to know. Mr. Pedross does not, unfortunately, deliver. His “Impossible Dream” seems to go flat, holding back the power that the song has. His choice to keep it low,to bring it in, loses something. The longing is not there. If not for such a strong performance before and after Quixote would have been lost.
RICHARD III, (Judith Shakespeare Company, Tada! Theater, June 2004)
Theatre Scene.net, Jenifer Braun, June 14, 2004
(http://www.theaterscene.net/ts/articles.nsf/OBP/d0d8b1b8ae01027385256eb400347f98?OpenDocument&Click=)
Jan-Peter Pedross expertly plays Hastings as a flamboyant pretty-boy heavily involved with a glamorous transvestite Jane Shore . . .
JIG SAW (Sightlines Theater, 78th Street Theater Lab, January 2002)
CURTAIN UP!, Elyse Sommer, January 20, 2002
(http://www.curtainup.com/powell.html)
Jan-Peter Pedross overacts shamelessly as a preening writer and terrace neighbor...
VILLAGE VOICE, Jessica Winter, January 29, 2002
(http://www.villagevoice.com/2002-01-29/theater/out-of-the-past)
. . . though a secondary pair of backbiters trade Significant Glances for the play's duration—are they plotting some intrigue, or simply vying for the intramural mugging trophy?