A SAMPLING OF WILLIAM’S DIRECTORIAL REVIEWS
CORPSE!
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THE CORTLAND REPERTORY THEATRE
THERE’S LIFE IN THIS ‘CORPSE!’
Grade: A
If you look in the dictionary, corpse means ‘a dead body.’ But if you look on the stage at Cortland Repertory Theatre the definition is more apt to include ‘lively,’ ‘vibrant,’ and ‘pulsing.’ This production of the Gerald Moon comedic thriller has more twists than an Alpine road and more laughs than any given night of must-see TV.
Director William Metzo doesn’t just stage this play, he crafts it. This is an intricate and detailed production, and Metzo weaves his cast through the course of the play like gold thread, getting nuanced performances in every instance and executing precision timing without a hitch.
–Auburn, NY Citizen
MURDER MOST FUN
Director William Metzo has assembled a first-rate cast. British farces require discipline and split-second timing. Local audiences love them, but most companies are afraid to mount these efforts. CORPSE! seals Cortland Repertory’s lock on this effervescent genre.
–Syracuse New Times
It’s billed as a ‘comedy thriller,’ but while real thrills are minimal, the comedy is off the charts.
William Metzo’s tight, nimble direction and a talented cast guarantee that if you have any funny bone for dry Brit wit and clever farce, you’ll exit the theatre feeling positively euphoric.
-Ithaca Times
ONCE IN A LIFETIME
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ALLENTOWN COLLEGE
…HILARIOUS
…a spirited production, an energetic cast out to maximize every laugh with delivery, gesture or reaction, and a director who can find, or if necessary invent, laughs in every corner of the show, and the result is hilarious.
William Metzo has spared no effort to entertain.
–The Morning Call
PRODUCTION WILL THRILL
CLASSIC MOVIE LOVERS
If you like classic movies, you will adore Allentown Theatre’s production…
It sparkles and glitters with the style and sweep of a Hollywood extravaganza.
–East Penn Press
…offers all the exaggerated glamour, broad humor, and outrageously lavish sets of a Broadway extravaganza. William Metzo has demonstrated great agility in bringing it all together.
–The Express-Times
…I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Witty ideas, good unforced pace, and a great deal of personal charm in the performances – free and nutty. This is only possible with a supportive and clever directorial presence.
ACTF Adjudicator
THE CHERRY ORCHARD
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LABUDA CENTER
PRODUCTION WOULD HAVE
MADE CHEKHOV SMILE
Director William Metzo succeeds in creating a drama that is richly sensual. Lilting notes from a flute are carried on the wind while the sun sets in a brilliant display of purple and pink. Birds chirp in the background as the upturned faces of the cast are bathed in the morning sun and woodsy smoke rises from an outdoor fire as lovers cavort on a blanket. Metzo takes every opportunity to portray the eccentric and colorful characters to their utmost advantage while still conveying the poignancy of their suffering and loneliness.
–The Express-Times
…Obviously such a well acted production implies a strong directorial hand. Needless to say, I feel that the director’s work with the actors was outstanding. The thorough actor coaching reached all the way down to the smallest – roles – servants and guests – all knew what they were doing. William Metzo deserves particular commendation for creating a consistent and very appropriate world for this play, and for being able to communicate to each actor his/her place in that world.
–ACTF Adjudicator
DIAL ‘M’ FOR MURDER
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CORTLAND REPERTORY THEATRE
Director William Metzo hones the action to a razor’s edge and molds the cast into a fine ensemble. The pacing is sharp and the dialogue fairly crackles, every pause has a purpose and each point, once made, is abandoned for the next. This is a finely crafted piece of theatre… It is a brilliantly directed work.
–Auburn Citizen