Yet rarely does a stage production of this perennial romantic tragedy capture the full, blushing innocence, the exuberance and naiveté of lovers so young — and so rash, and doomed. Intiman Theatre Festival’s vital “Romeo and Juliet” is special that way, and one of the reasons to commend this pellucid, psychologically astute staging by director Allison Narver. … Most tellingly, the emotional catharsis that “R & J” promises is truly delivered.
Romeo and Juliet, The Seattle Times
And, this production lives up to the promise of Albee’s prose; it’s a gorgeously designed, lovingly directed and deliciously acted night of theater. … all executed under the astute direction of Allison Narver, who directed with a clean, carefully choreographed but organic purpose of intent.
Three Tall Women, Seattle Gay Scene
Vintage vaudeville high jinks among the rich, unleashed by a trio of zany con men crashing a Long Island party, fly fast and furious in Seattle director Allison Narver’s nimble and frisky OSF mounting. All the right crackers are in this box.
Animal Crackers, The Seattle Times
… it takes people like director Allison Narver who understand what it takes to bring these tales to life and make them gut-bustingly funny … I don't think I have laughed that hard and consistently in a show for quite some time.
Boeing Boeing, Broadway World
… under Allison Narver’s luminous direction at ACT Theatre, it can best be received as a kind of deeply stirring tone poem — an imagistic, compelling 90 minutes of metaphysical wandering through a perplexing yet profound dream.
Eurydice, The Seattle Times
Much of the power and emotion is due to the gorgeous direction from Allison Narver and her exceptional cast. Narver has taken what could be a park and bark of two people sitting espousing someone else's words and infused it with some beautiful staging, keeping the engagement in the relationship and the characters alive.
Dear Elizabeth, Broadway World
The French have a phrase for it: 'êbruler les planches," to burn the boards; these actors are on fire, to a degree you will rarely experience. Allison Narver directs them with exceptional deftness … What could have been misdirected into a stultified bedroom drama, replete with over-emoting and static staging, is instead engaging throughout in the ever-capable hands of Ms. Narver.
Orange Flower Water, Crosscut
This eye-popping entertainment directed by Allison Narver is as much an homage to canny theatrical storytelling as it is to Doyle’s famed whodunit … Narver and cast unfailingly balance sincere melodrama with laughable spoofery.
Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles, The Seattle Times
I can't recall a better, more fully realized world premiere production … Under Allison Narver's crisp direction, the play's humor and pathos play out as beautifully as a Western swing record, with the Houston fantasy sequences reaching a comic high in a second-act fireside reverie
Texarkana Waltz, Backstage West
I said before that it's a feast and it is, a full seven-course feast and every bite is delectable. And if the play is the recipe then master chef (and director) Allison Narver has assembled three of the tastiest morsels (the cast) to serve up to us. Narver keeps the pace clipping impeccably and keeps her cast at the perfect level of outrageousness mixed with sincerity to create the precise tone for the show.
OR, Broadway World
Part earnest sexual identity quest, part post-“Will and Grace” sit-rom-com, the play is bright and busy in Allison Narver’s animated staging, and the profusion of laugh lines heartily amused much of ACT’s opening-night audience. … And when Charlotte and Jonny finally come clean with one another, Narver’s staging busts open with a glimpse of exhilarating child’s play.
Mystery of Love and Sex, The Seattle Times
Every once in a while the stars will align, and magic will happen. Magic is exactly what happened on stage last night.
Much Ado About Nothing, Broadway World
More Reviews
… Allison Narver is one of Seattle’s great directors … - The Seattle Times, “This season’s Seattle stage performance picks”
Thanks to Allison Narver’s clever directing … - Crosscut, “A sparkling 'Or,' at Seattle Rep”
… under Allison Narver’s emotionally detailed direction … - The Seattle Times, “Memory House: A mom-and-daughter drama, with blueberry pie”
… brought to vivid, invigorating life at the hands of director Allison Narver … - Seattle Weekly, “5th Avenue’s ‘Man of La Mancha’’ is a dream”
Narver directs her cast with lightning-quick timing … - CityArts Magazine, “Just let me laugh at ‘The Government Inspector’”
Director Allison Narver does a wonderful job with the piece … - Broadway World, “Review: BLITHE SPIRIT at Seattle Rep”
The show wins on so many levels that you can't help but enjoy yourself. - Broadway World, “Rep's HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Filled with Thrills, Humor and Epic Staging”
But what sets the play and Allison Narver’s lovingly crafted production apart is its quiet, unexaggerated depiction of xenophobia … - The Seattle Times, “A lesson in prejudice and compassion in the story of an outcast longing to fit in”
… staged with crafty aplomb by Allison Narver … - The Seattle Times, “Seattle Shakespeare’s Government Inspector keeps us laughing”
Director Allison Narver moves her players around in an elaborate display of dominoes … - Seattle Weekly, “The Hound of the Baskervilles, Seattle Repertory Theatre”
Director Narver can herself take a bow for a well-paced, deftly orchestrated production. - Talkin Broadway, “Admirable Albee, powerful performances in Seattle Rep's Three Tall Women”
… under Allison Narver’s kinetic staging… - Washingtonian, ““Bust” at Studio Theatre: Former Daily Show correspondent Lauren Weedman explores incarceration in her new one-woman show.”
… staged with aplomb by Allison Narver … - The Seattle Times, “2 Supercalifragilistic musicals fit for families”
Allison Narver's direction is all about emotional economy … - Pittsburgh City Paper, “Bust”