Valerie will keep you posted on the latest news and announcements in print, as well as reviews of her work.
Excerpts of reviews for past shows are archived below.
The Morning Call, by Dave Howell
"...Quakertown's Centre for the Arts on Main can only help you escape your troubles for two hours, with a neatly done show based on the venerable 'Little Orphan Annie' comic strip..."Annie" is a bit short on plot, so it is lucky that this production has a solid cast...diLorenzo is wonderfully comic as the slatternly Miss Hannigan. She delivers a showstopping, believable version of 'Little Girls.'
City Pulse, (Lansing, MI), by Ute Von Der Heyden
There are times, says Valerie J. diLorenzo, when she'll sing a song "right to your face." Or she might treat a concert hall like her own living room, telling stories and including the audience in the show. Sometimes, as local audiences will soon find out she just likes "to belt out a show tune." Read the complete article. (PDF)
The Baltimore Sun Times
by J. Wynn Rousuck, Sun Theater Critic
Although the main character Gypsy is named for stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, the main character is actually Gypsy's mother. A production doesn't stand a chance with a strong Mama Rose (the archetypal stage mother), and at Theatre on the Hill, brassy Valerie J. diLorenzo is definitely a strong presence. She badgers, cajoles, pushes and, perhaps, most important, belts out her songs with gusto.
Baltimore/Mt. Airy Gazette, MD
By Kate Tufts
It seems summer theatre audiences loves musicals, especially tried and proven favorites. Theatre on the Hill's "Gypsy" does not disappoint...A favorite from last season's TOTH ensemble, Valerie diLorenzo was perfectly cast as the mother. As the show's Director, Josh Selzer, explained, "When I learned that Valerie diLorenzo was interested in the role of Mamma Rose, I knew we had one fo the essential components of a stellar production."
Musical Director, Steve Zumbrun, was also excited about working with diLorenzo. As he stated, "It's one of the most musically demanding female roles of all time. It takes stamina, heart and a lot of guts – all of which Valerie has in abundance."
The actress dominates the stage as anyone playing the role of Momma Rose must. When she belts out her songs people sit up and take notice!
Carroll County Times
by Garth and Catherine Baxter
Theatre on the Hill (TOTH) was at peak performance for the opening of "Gypsy" last Friday night. The musical, based on the life of Gypsy Rose Lee, is a well paced variety of songs, dancing, comedy and drama. Valerie diLorenzo was superb as Mama Rose. She is a polished comfortable performer who is capable of both comic and serious roles. She is also a strong and confident singer.... Everything about this production was good, particularly the casting...the show is excellent and highly entertaining.
Blood Brothers One of Theatre on the Hill's Best-Ever Offerings
The Carroll County Times, MD
Joan Prall
Without a doubt, "Blood Brothers," a musical drama by Willy Russell, is one of the best-ever offerings of Theatre on the Hill...the superb cast of characters on this main stage is such a good one...diLorenzo gets top honors for her precise dialogue and strong singing.
Baltimore/Mt. Airy Gazette, MD
By Kate Tufts
From the opening scene to the final curtain call, the audience for "Blood Brothers", making its area premier at the Theatre on the Hill in Maryland, was mesmerized by this modern-day spin on "The Prince and the Pauper." Not your typical, light summer fare, the musical "Blood Brothers" asks the audience to think, to predict and to lay blame. Not a single character leaves the stage unchanged....
New York actress, Valerie diLorenzo, truly shines in her role as Mrs. Johnstone. When she takes the stage, she takes the stage. Her presence captivates the audience and she adds warmth and passion to her role. Training as a cabaret singer has certainly not hurt diLorenzo either; she can really belt out a song. Her version of "Marilyn Monroe," which she sings at least 3 times, is so bittersweet, yet upbeat, the audience could have enjoyed it three more times....
Stellar acting and good teamwork from cast and crew makes "Blood Brothers" a compelling theatre experience.
Show Biz
By Tom Stefanchik
For most of her gigs, Valerie diLorenzo, a cabaret singer, works in cabarets. But she also does other shows, including some in front of huge crowds. They aren't concerts. On those days, diLorenzo arrives at Shea Stadium an hour and 15 minutes before the ball game begins. Read the complete article. (PDF)
Shakespeare's 'Comedy of Errors' at its best:
outdoors, fast, good, free
The Journal News, Westchester Gannett Newspapers
by Jacques LeSourd
Even in a small part, such as that of Valerie diLorenzo who plays both Solinus, the duke who condemns Aegeon, as well as a hilarious courtesan, this production boasts strong actors who understand what they're doing.
The New York Times, Sunday
By Alvin Klein
Actually, there is a benevolent seventh (character), a policeman, no dummy, welcomely arriving near the end of the second act - not soon enough, but in time to bring in a fresh voice and handcuffs, to put the play to rest and walk off with the acting honors of the occasion. It is important to note that Valerie diLorenzo gives that enlivening no-nonsense, no-dummy cameo performance.
"At Fleetwood Stage,
a Farce to be Reckoned With"
The Journal News, Westchester Gannett Newspapers
By Jacques LeSourd
For its season finale, Fleetwood Stage offers this rich dessert, without holding back on the calories. Playwright Nelson Sheeley, offers a well-oiled machine for making people laugh...And kudos to Valerie diLorenzo for her funny, tough-talking cop.
The Allentown Morning Call
by Geoff Gehman
It's a shame PYT's Oliver! Was open to the public only one week. Child and adult missed a production that's as thoughtful as it is colorful, as athletic as it is touching. Refreshingly and somewhat miraculously, it's devoid of the glam or ham that could easily make Lionel Bart's splashy translation of Dickensian economics literally grueling. Virtually every scene had a happy combination of gusto and sensitivity...
As Nancy, Sykes' hopelessly loyal main squeeze, Valerie diLorenzo was a wonder. Whether singing in tandem or by herself the cabaret/revue specialist sounded charismatic and true, avoiding belt, wobble and other Broadway/opera hitches. She remained in character while vocalizing taking care to marry gestures with notes. I'd love to hear her taking on the National Anthem, most singers' Waterloo...
Carroll County Times
By Amanda Knittle
According to Valerie diLorenzo, some of the most exciting work in theatre doesn't happen on stage. Offstage work and theatre life is "very fun", the Broadway performer said, "but it's very serious." She should know. The star in Theatre on the Hill's upcoming production of "Gypsy" has always loved acting, but until four years ago, she only did it on the side.
This summer, Valerie will lead some events for the Carroll County Arts Council – the Lunch & Learn series where diLorenzo will discuss Broadway Business and a two-day acting workshop called "Theatrix". "This business is difficult," the actress said. "You have to have an idea of what you want and don't want to avoid being sucked into a nasty position." She said she's glad she had some experience in other areas first. "I find it more rewarding, yet harder to do this work," she said of theatre. "If a show doesn't go well, I can't pawn it off. In essence, you become your own company," she said. DiLorenzo plans a hands-on experience for both events; "Sometimes the real drama and excitement is going on backstage," she said. This way, [the participants] will know the many facets of the theatre."
The Journal News
In this production of Stephen Sondheim's "Company", Valerie diLorenzo finds the essence of a street-smart gal who is appropriately tough, especially in her solo, "Another Hundred People," which she delivers with precise articulation, phrasing and power as a nearly detached narrative on humans in the asphalt jungle
The Killington Times, Killington, VT
by Ted Pendleton
The Green Mountain Guild's new look for its 25th Anniversary Season is smaller, but no less talented. The company of five performers sing selections from the Kander & Ebb repertoire in "And The World Goes Round." One of the best things about Cabaret performances is that a lot is left to the audience's imagination. And the company of singers - (including) Valerie diLorenzo... - feed the mind's eye gloriously. While two of the women, diLorenzo and Hodos, clearly stand out, each performer provides a particular strength. The songs by diLorenzo including "Arthur in the Afternoon" are all full of energy.
The Allentown Morning Call
by John Flautz
It's fitting that Bethlehem's newest public entertainment facility should open with a musical play about a happy, benevolent community. In the Littlest Angel, PYT has chosen a play aimed at children and cast it with appealing and highly competent adults...Valerie diLorenzo plays an Understanding Angel who talks like Bill Clinton sharing your pain but actually does help with problems. She's the primary adult vocalist and she makes the songs sound better than they actually are.