Read features and reviews of Shannon's work...
READ TIMES UNION ARTS FEATURE on SHANNON as
CAPITAL REPERTORY'S "WONDERSTUDY" for their
HIT SUMMER 2010 PRODUCTION OF
THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES!
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
“Rafferty offers some raucous fun as a Victorian party guest, and ethereal and mysterioso in her ghostly role”
– Phil Drew, Troy Record
“Shannon Rafferty's Past -- part nymph, part Bride of Frankenstein -- seems to float and shimmer as if in water”
- Michael Eck, Times Union
“The scene at nephew Fred’s (a properly hearty Brian Sheldon) crackles, enhanced by the brightly inane laughter of Shannon Rafferty as Sissy and the interaction between Joe Firicano and Jacob Fisch.”
-
Paul Lamar, Daily Gazette
THE MIRACLE WORKER
“Rafferty is the star of the show, as she should be…. The show's famous pay-off, with Keller and Sullivan at the water pump, is still striking, heartbreaking and inspiring all at once.”
- Michael Eck, Times Union
“...sensational portrayal of Annie Sullivan by Shannon Rafferty. Her Annie is as uncertain as she is dedicated, and in her own way she is as stubborn about accepting compromise as Helen is to change... individually the actresses are very good, together they become a special team.”
- Bob Goepfert, The Record
“Macherone is simply mesmerizing as the young Kellar. She gives a startling, riveting performance. Shannon Rafferty is equally as fine, if not more so, as Annie Sullivan, and when both these extraordinary actresses are together, the stage sizzles. The chemistry between them is palpable. “
-
Charles Kondeck Hudson- Catskill newspaper
“Emotionally both Rafferty and Macherone cement the teacher/pupil relationship with complete credibility. It’s fine work by two young performers on whom the play hinges.”
- Paul Lamar, Daily Gazette
ORPHAN TRAIN
"Every aspect of the production is first-rate, but let me single out a few small pleasures: the fierce seamstress of Shannon Rafferty; Quandt’s delivery of the affecting “One More Chance”; Joel Aroeste’s tender Ben Larsen; Richard Finklestein’s multipurpose rear curtain; Peal’s plucky Jenny; Paul Carter’s menacing conductor; and Franklin’s haunting delivery of the little phrase “a banjo pick” throughout the play."
– Paul Lamar Daily Gazette
CORN!
“To moves things along, there’s Chester’s conniving fiancé, Shelby, played with sharp humor by Shannon Rafferty.”
– Cathy DeDe, The Chronicle
"The cast is nearly perfect. Shannon Rafferty makes Anne into a girl you can take to your heart. She does it with enthusiasm, a lovely singing voice, a genuine sincerity in her playing. We can see her mature, even though her almost constant presence on stage doesn’t allow for many physical changes as the 13 year-old girl matures into a young woman of 15. Rafferty pulls off the nearly impossible task of growing up before our eyes and her love scene with Peter Van Daan, a nicely performed role by Michael Whitney, has the clarity of youth and the precision of the moment."
- J. Peter Bergman, Berkshire Bright Focus
"A major reason the NYSTI production is able to show the growing wisdom of Anne is the terrific work of Shannon Rafferty...her beautiful voice combined with an actresses skill permits her to focus on the person rather than showing the adolescent traits of the character. It is a beautiful mature portrayal befitting a beautiful mature young girl.
- Bob Goepfert, The Record
"Shannon Rafferty plays Frank with aplomb as a loudmouth, a flirt and a thinker all at once."
- Michael Eck, Times Union
"Shannon Rafferty as the aptly-named ingénue-heroine nicely balances womanly passion in her scenes with Nemiroff's Claudio and girlish enthusiasm in the farcical comic scenes"
- Shawn Stone, Metroland
"Abigail Williams (Shannon Rafferty) is the young ringleader... who brings a physicality and menace that counterbalances the quiet poise of Stauffer’s Elizabeth”
- Meisha Rosenberg, Metroland
"Mancinelli-Cahill's production is driven by the raw energy of its opening scene which finds the libidinous Abigail Williams (a fiery, defiant, scheming Shannon Rafferty) leading her girlfriends in abandoned dancing in the woods."
- Jeffrey Borak, Berkshire Eagle
"Shannon Rafferty, as young Abigail Williams, with her covey of cohorts, reminded me of more sinister Mean Girls, especially in their trendy garb. . . Certain scenes, as when young Abigail raises hell against those who would reveal her truth were so scary the room shook."
- Cathy DeDe, The Chronicle
“Shannon Rafferty held the emotional cards perfectly as Beth.”
- J. Peter Bergman, Berkshire Bright Focus
“Shannon Rafferty and David Girard create sensitive portrayals of a tragic young couple who are in love....and Rafferty offers a marvelous portrayal of a young woman who is unable to cope with the pressures of her life.”
- Bob Geopfert, Troy Record
“Rafferty gives a touching portrayal of a young woman wrestling with a lost
love and her place in the world.”
- Carol King, The Daily Gazette
“Particularly convincing is Rafferty's tormented, doomed Beth, a performance that traces a poignant downward spiral from hope and promise to hopelessness and futility.”
- Jeffrey Borak, Berkshire Eagle
“Rafferty was deeply moving as the troubled Beth who cannot bear the hand the world has dealt her.”
- Gail M. Burns, www.gailsez.com
“with the best work this time around coming from Perry, Bunce, and Shannon Rafferty as the dark, mysterious Tina Argyle."
- Michael Eck, Times Union
“this is a uniformly fine cast, but I must especially compliment Girard and Rafferty for their dramatic work in an impassioned scene in the graveyard."
- Carol King, Daily Gazette
“Shannon Rafferty..finds the inner-strength of Annemarie. Rafferty is able to make believavle the girl's growing maturity, especially when she has bravery thrust upon her.”
- Bob Geopfert, Troy Record
“Shannon Rafferty is strong as Annemarie, the central figure of the play and a young girl who discovers the heroism lurking in her innocent heart.”
- Michael Eck, Times Union
“special note should be made of Shannon Rafferty as the red-haired, red-evening-gown- and feathered-hat-wearing Rosie, who preens and puffs with the exaggerated self-assurance of a pint-sized Mama Rose (of Gypsy fame); 30 years from now Rafferty will do a “Rose’s Turn” that will burn up the stage.”
- James Yeara, Metroland
“Rafferty, who plays Dorothy, doesn't simply evoke Judy Garland, she could very well be Garland reincarnated..”
- Jeffrey Borak, The Berkshire Eagle
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