Andra Velis Simon
Chicago Tribune 12/24/14: Christopher Borrelli's article on Theater Wit's production of Mr. Burns: a post electric-play and Chris Jones' review of HMS Pinafore
Press Review Quotes
“ ... gifted music director, Andra Velis Simon ... subtly re-orchestrated the show ... so that it comes with much more of a bluegrass flavor... What a killer idea.”
--Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, on 9 to 5, 2018
“…the balance struck by music director Andra Velis Simon is praiseworthy.”
--Charles McNulty, L.A. Times, on Pirates of Penzance, 2018
“NYT Critic’s Pick… The music director, Andra Velis Simon, ensures that you never miss the presence of an orchestra.”
--Ben Brantley, New York Times, on Pirates of Penzance, 2017
“Applause, too, for the sensational musical direction of conductor/keyboardist Andra Velis Simon… and the all-female band… that rocks it to the rafters…”
--Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times, on LIZZIE, 2017
“Andra Velis Simon gave us a gloriously goofy, unapologetically feminist take on a stale, sexist fairytale.”
--Catey Sullivan, Chicago Magazine’s Best of Chicago Theater, on Cinderella at the Theater of Potatoes, 2016
“Musically there is a lot of ingenuity… Andra Velis Simon’s musical direction makes the troubadour style look deceptively simple.”
--Nelson Pressley, Washington Post, on Pirates of Penzance & The Mikado, 2016
“The organic way in which the actors become musicians (and vice-versa) makes the efforts of John Doyle… seem tentative by comparison.”
--Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, on American Idiot, 2015
“… all the actors do double duty as a rather remarkably proficient “orchestra,” under Andra Velis Simon’s inventive music direction… top 5 musicals of the year”
--Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle, on Pirates of Penzance, 2015
“They re-create the symphonic score on hootenanny instruments; they harmonize like members of the Met while standing on the bar…”
--Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, on The Mikado, 2015
“… the multifarious modes of live accompaniment are endlessly amusing.”
--Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, on H.M.S. Pinafore, 2014
"Andra Velis Simon’s brilliant adaptation of the score… sounds like a late-night folk festival jam session... the talent... is staggering.”
--Marty Rosen, LEO Weekly, on Pirates of Penzance at Actors Theatre of Louisville, 2014
“…the Hypocrites’ musicianship has never sounded better.”
--Kris Vire, Time Out Chicago, on The Mikado, 2013
“Andra Velis Simon’s adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s orchestral score for a folksier sound is seamless.”
--Alex Huntsberger, Centerstage, on The Mikado, 2013
“… Arthur Sullivan’s lovely, lilting melodies come through well in musical director Andra Velis Simon’s folk/pop interpretations.”
--Albert Williams, Chicago Reader, on The Mikado, 2013
“…incorporates many of [Tennessee] Williams’ charming musical suggestions… songs and the singing are lovely…”
--John Lahr, The New Yorker, on Camino Real, 2012
“Bieito’s mostly Spanish soundscape is one of this formidable production’s most powerful weapons.”
--Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, on Camino Real, 2012
“Tesori’s score is exceptionally well sung… under the musical direction of Andra Velis Simon.”
--Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, on Violet, 2011
“The deceptively complex score… impeccably realized by music [director] Andra Velis Simon…”
--Kris Vire, Time Out Chicago, on Boojum!, 2010
“… superb musical direction by Velis Simon (who also supplies the brilliant, tremendously difficult onstage piano accompaniment)…”
--Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times, on Boojum!, 2010
“Andra Velis Simon’s astute musical direction makes the difficult, often discordant score a compelling conduit for a dark story…”
--Catey Sullivan, Windy City Times, on Bernarda Alba, 2008
“Thanks to Andra Velis Simon's confident musical direction, the songs stay as strong as the story…”
--Lawrence Bommer, Chicago Reader, on 1776, 2008
“Also deserving kudos… music director and pianist Andra Velis Simon for the extraordinary range of moods she is able to evoke.”
--Dennis Polkow, Newcity, on Songs for a New World, 2007
“… one crackerjack musical director, Andra Velis Simon, smoking up the keyboard.” --Web Behrens, Chicago Free Press, on Songs for a New World, 2007