Acting Reviews
"As a dancer, Matthew Hardy is accomplished, carefully balancing relinquishment and control. Moreover, his Joey proves deeply sympathetic; with his lithe frame and jagged energy, he seems persistently ready to burst out of his skin, a physical quality juxtaposed with his self-effacing delivery and wry reverse."
- Anchuli Felicia King Theatre is Easy "All three actors deliver sensitive and sympathetic performances as they recount their characters’ intimate backstories in first-person direct address to the audience, interact with each other in short impactful vignettes, and ultimately deal with the loss, bigotry, and hatred they’ve endured through self-reliance, determination, pride, and the help of those who empathize and care. As we get to know them over the course of the one-hour production, we come to number among those who do." - Deb Miller DC Metro |
"the dance passages, mostly performed by Matthew Hardy, are sinuous and terrific"
- Alexis Soloski New York Times "In the most striking visual moment of the piece, a shirtless Hardy faces backwards and mimes playing the piano. The movement grows from his fingers to his arms to his back, his shoulder blades transforming into wings as he begins to fly around the space." - Lauren Wingenroth BroadwayWorld.com |
"Robert is played by the marvelous Matthew Hardy. You must pay close attention to Hardy's mobile visage. He conveys more with a subtly lifted eyebrow than most actors who are using a full panoply of expressions."
- Ed Wismer Star and Wave |
"One of the best moments was when Matthew Hardy, well-cast as the clean-scrubbed Gentleman Caller, tried to teach Laura to dance. Rather than dancing, they put on roller skates, but the extra complexity intensified the tender awkwardness. When they finally started gliding, our hearts soared as well."
- Leigh Witchel Dance View Times "Donovan and Hardy, both actor/dancers rather than the reverse, excelled in both capacities, each bringing an integrity and believability to their characters." -Carrie Seidman Herald-Tribune "The gentleman caller, played by Matthew Hardy, shines with gentle strength... Hardy’s subtle talents telegraph the height of Jim’s passion and the physical distress he feels in revealing his engagement" -Phillip W Sandstrom Times Square "Comfort has gathered an extraordinarily talented group of actor/dancers... Hardy’s shining moments lie in Act Two, where he has a delicate “pas de deux” with Amanda, and a roller-skating “courting” scene with Laura." - North Carolina Review |
"Long after the closing of Turtle Shell Productions' new musical Fritz and Froyim, Matthew Hardy's remarkable Froyim remains vivid. As a former Jewish performer in Nazi Germany who comes back to haunt his German tormentor, Hardy combined the comic, vaudevillian, and tragic in one figure — a veritable Pagliacci."
- Irene Backalenick Backstage 2007 Performances to Remember "The cast is altogether strong, especially Hardy, who lights up the stage and makes everyone on it with him look better." - Matthew Barbout newtheatrecorp.com "...a fine cast. Matthew Hardy is particularly memorable as the indestructible Froyim." - Irene Backalenick backstage.com "Froyim, played by wildly talented Matthew Hardy, manages to modulate the dramatic mood with jokes, soft-shoe and the delivery of witty songs." - Burne Harrison Stage Buzz "Matthew Hardy’s tour de force performance, a tap-dancing ventriloquist." - Eva Heinemann Hi! Drama |