REVIEW FRAGMENTS

Click on the “PLAY” “MUSICAL” “OPERA” buttons on the right for production photos and complete reviews…

–

–

A CHRISTMAS CAROL @ McCarter Theatre

–

*“There are actually three things in life of which we can be certain: death, taxes — and the annual excellence of the McCarter Theatre Center’s “A Christmas Carol.” Once again, director Michael Unger has done an exemplary job with the Charles Dickens chestnut.” – Newark Star Ledger

–

*“A crackling production. Richly re-imagined. A Must-See. – The New York Times

–

“This is an exciting, funny, uplifting show that never fails to please.” – Princeton Packet

–

“I defy you to hold back the waterworks” – Princeton Packet

–

“An extraordinary production and a magical social event. It’s a deeply, remarkably moving way to close the story, and it trumps the conclusions of many a “Carol” incarnation.” – Pennington Post

–

“There is so much to recommend about the current McCarter production that it’s difficult to know where to begin.” – My Central Jersey.com

–

“A marvelous, joyous production that is presented on a grand scale. All elements are impressive….” – The Examiner

–

“Excellent special effects.. sensitive direction…” – Newark Star Ledger

–

*”A Christmas Carol” remains the most opulent show New Jersey sees all year.” – Newark Star Ledger

–

“Soars from the first moments… sensitive direction… fresh and emotionally charged… it has the size and feel of the best Broadway family musicals.” – Princeton Packet

–

“Every year, what he brings to his grateful audiences of all ages is another memorable occasion.” – Times of Trenton

–

THE HAPPY TIME @ Signature Theatre

–

*“A little charmer… effervescent.” – Variety

–

*“A fresh and earnest revival,” – Variety

–

“A picture-perfect production.” – Washingtonian

–

“Fresh, tight direction.” – BroadwayWorld.com

–

*“Mr. Unger has masterfully utilized the tiny space with a simple concept and beautifully paced staging. Wondrous staging… one of the most dazzling jewels of the season. – BroadwayWorld.com

–

“Michael Unger, aided by composer John Kander, has stripped away the Broadway trappings to reveal a quaint but emotionally intense chamber musical.” – TheatreMania.com

–

“Michael Unger directs this ambitious, full-length show with some bold choices and it fills the eye, the mind and the heart.” – Edge, NY

–

“Something extraordinarily special.” – Talk Entertainment

–

“If there’s any fairness in the world, this show will eventually find its way back to Broadway.” – TheatreMania

THE RINK @ Cape Playhouse

–

*“Michael Unger has delivered a musical with quirky, captivating charm.” – Boston Globe

–

“Do what you can to catch this stellar production of The Rink during its short run.” – TheatreMania.com

MY SISTER IN THIS HOUSE @ Deaf West

–

*“A striking new production… the most embodied production I’ve ever seen in L.A.” – LA Times

–

“Imaginative yet nonintrusive melding of the hearing and non-hearing worlds.” – Backstage

–

“Handsomely staged…” – LA Weekly

–

CRIMES OF THE HEART @ Theatre Aspen

–

“Directed by Michael Unger with a confidence that embraces Southern gothic chaos without losing control of the proceedings for a single moment.” – KSNO Radio

THE CONSUL @ Opera New Jersey

–

*“Breathless – a stunning production… the audience suddenly lets loose with a l-o-n-g roar that sounds like it might blow off the roof of McCarter Theatre. …astonishingly persuasive production. All I can tell you is, be there. Michael Unger’s stage direction was so deft as to be virtually invisible. This recognizes that the stage action is meant to look utterly natural. When a stage director succeeds in this challenge people say, “So where was the stage direction?” – Princeton Packet

LA RONDINE @ Sarasota Opera

–

*“Stage Director Michael Unger kept the lovers’ tumultuous emotions in tight focus.” – Sarasota Herald Tribune

–

“Breathtakingly beautiful from the creative, innovative staging by Michael Unger that one can’t help but sigh with the romance of it all.” – Longboat Observer

–

*“Director Michael Unger proved that La Rondine is… an opera to be taken seriously for its own merits.” – Opera Today

–

“Directed with strength and understanding. This production is terrific.” – Longboat Observer

–

DIE FLEDERMAUS @ Sarasota Opera

–

*“A delicious feast for both eyes and ears. Superb stage direction by Michael Unger included physical comedy and pratfalls executed cleanly with great effect.” – Sarasota Herald Tribune

–

*“Effervescent, delicious and totally delightful; Unger is gloriously surefooted – he has artfully walked the dangerously thin line between broad comedy and philosophical observations.” – Longboat Observer

–

“A finer production is hard to imagine.” – Venice Gondolier

THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE @ Barrington Stage

–

“Created by a team of divine madmen and women. The production moves smoothly and effortlessly.” – Berkshire Eagle

–

*“Quick, count on your fingers… the shows you’ve seen that were so enchanting, you savored every moment and prayed that the curtain call would never come.” – Theatremania

–

“Michael Unger, the director, handles the traffic nicely and keeps it all balanced on several tightropes at once.” – NY Times

–

*“Thrilling theatre… amazing style… extraordinary… vivid direction. Riveting.” – Opera Today

KNICKERBOCKER HOLIDAY @ The York Theatre (MUFTI Series)

–

*“Revelatory… It was a tribute to Michael Unger’s direction that its convolutions were amusing rather than irritating.” – Kurt Weill Newsletter

TRIUMPH OF LOVE @ Weston Playhouse

–

“Michael Unger has crafted an evening of theatre that is quite funny and employs many broad farcical bits of action to amuse the audience… a handsomely constructed evening of theatre.” – The Brattleboro Reformer

–

“A superb production. Michael Unger has produced an amazingly clear-sighted realization of the play.  A spry, sly production.” – The Shelbourne News

–

“The ‘Triumph of Love’ is delightfully intelligent comedy.” – Rutland Herald

–

“Michael Unger’s expert touch… staged with color and elegance… exciting freshness… you watch beauty unfold before your eyes.” – Glenn Falls Post Star

RETRIBUTION @ The Lambs Theatre

–

*“Provocative and unrelenting… surprisingly gripping and dynamic performances. A play that is worthy of your attention.” – WQXR

–

“Theatrical electricity.” – NY CitySearch.com

–

“Shattering.” – In Theatre

–

“Retribution makes a strong impact.” – AP News

–

“Mr. Unger deserves high praise.” – Curtain Up

–

“Adrenalized with a fine ensemble cast that makes all the pieces of the play’s mosaic fit together. Michael Unger’s fluid direction is first-rate staging.” – DramaLogue

–

“A bizarre emotional roller-coaster ride… It is a considerable achievement. Outstanding performances… in this compelling and satisfying interpretation.” – Village View

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW @ Active Theatre Ensemble, LA

–

“There’s action aplenty…” – Drama-Logue

–

“A fun and energetic handling of the Bard’s tale… Unger and his strong cast dance through a slapstick romp that will surprise those who think Shakespeare was all stiff collars and soliloquies. This production makes Shakespeare a whole lot more entertaining than your high-school English teacher ever did.” – LA Reader

–

“Unger’s finely tuned and well-trimmed adaptation of Shakespeare’s bawdy romp… a very funny and readily comprehensible production.” – LA Weekly

STILL @ The Prop Theatre – Chicago, IL

–

“An intriguing psychological thriller given an engrossing world premiere in a disturbing and driven production tightly directed by Michael Unger… Uniformly excellent performances… stunning, this production verges on a knockout… a beautiful creation” – Gay Chicago Magazine

–

“Brilliant. Two thumbs up. Go and check it out.” – Q 101 Chicago

–

“Still has a message for everyone: seasoned wisdom, realistic pains and spiritual insights. Filled with suspense, mystery and realistic tragedy.” – The North Sider

–

“Provocative… compelling… lurid… The fine work of these able performers is not lost in seven tons of sand by designer, Todd Rosenthal.” – Press Publications

–

“A thrill a minute, a phantasmagorical romp through the psyche.” – Reactor Magazine

–

“Intense stage direction by Michael Unger.” – Sarasota Herald Tribune

LOVE’S FIRE @ FSU Asolo Conservatory – Sarasota, FL

–

“The production is beautifully staged by guest director Michael Unger, who brings out the best performances we’ve seen this season from the second-year students.” – Sarasota Herald Tribune

–

SCHOOL FOR WIVES @ Weston Playhouse, VT

–

A wonderful evening of theatre. – The Vermont Message