REVIEWS

"[As Duncan in this Off-Broadway production of 'Macbeth'] Marvin Payne is masterful. Oozing gravitas, Payne effortlessly connects with each word and elevates every actor on stage with him. His victory song is transportive. His Ghost is quiet and unsettling. Even his brief turn as Siward is subtle and fully-formed."

-Zach Adler, New York Theatre Reviews

“Marvin Payne delivers pure majesty as the noble King Duncan [the initial victim of Shakespeare’s Macbeth]. His portrayal evokes sympathy and compassion.”

-Emma O’Donnal, Front Row Reviewers

"Payne, as Lear, captivates the audience with a majestic voice and gravitas so at odds with the madman he becomes. Eloquent, expressive, and sympathetic, our hearts break with him at the betrayal of his own daughters."

-Sara Re, Front Row Reviewers

"'Man of La Mancha'" at the Grand Theatre

Marvin Payne is excellent both as the suave Cervantes and as the aging, idealistic Quixote. Payne captures perfectly both the nobility and the lunacy of the man who can see a castle in a lowly inn, a magic helmet in a shaving basin and a worthwhile soul in a serving wench. Payne also has a rich voice, and his renditions of songs such as 'Man of La Mancha,' 'Dulcinea' and 'The Impossible Dream' (which has to be one of the most stirring songs in all of theater) are powerful and moving."

-Carma Wadley, Deseret News

"I think that Marvin Payne's 'Planemaker' is the finest of all one man pieces."

 -Eric Samuelsen, nationally-regarded playwright, 

"'King Lear' may well be the high water mark in the history of the Park City Shakespeare Festival.  This play will test any acting company's mettle, and cast and crew came through with flying colors.  Marvin Payne is absolutely believable as the Earl of Gloucester."

-Joseph Walker, Deseret News

"'King Lear' a 'heap of jewels.'  The two main characters, King Lear and Gloucester, are played quite impressively by Ivan Crosland and Marvin Payne.  Payne's contribution is a strong current in the emotional flow of the play."                         -Thomas Newman, Daily Universe

"Warbucks is great in the Sundance production of 'Annie.'   Every inch one of the best Daddy Warbucks audiences will see, Payne is excellent. Tough, gentle, caring, believable."  

-Kaylene Nelsen, The Herald

"'Planemaker' soars with wit and sensitivity.  Payne has an unusual ability to communicate feelings, whe   ôther it be with his expressive eyes, his excellent timing in delivering lines, or his vocals.  The script requires Payne to bounce back and forth between the roles, but bounce he does not.  The transitions are more like the smooth, quiet meshing of gears.  He is on the stage for nearly 90 minutes non-stop, and the audience's attention is riveted to this master storyteller. " -Laurie Sowby, Deseret News

"Sundance presents 'The Fantasticks.' 

As El Gallo, it is obviously Payne who owns the stage, whether he is singing or setting the scene with dialogue which flows like a satin stream. "

-Michael J. Barry, Daily Universe

"Cast of two full of warmth in 'Charlie's Monument.'

"Payne's sensitivity, gentle sense of humor and sincerity make him a natural as the crippled Charlie."

-Laurie Sowby, Deseret News

"Guest vocalist Marvin Payne charmed Utah Valley Symphony patrons Wednesday evening with his music  and humor.  Selections from 'West Side Story' were exceptionally moving as Marvin Payne took the microphone to sing.  The climax and highlight of the evening came with Payne's 'Memory' from 'Cats.'  ... One of the finest Pops Concerts the orchestra has provided."            -Renee C. Nelson, The Herald

"Marvin Payne stars in Church's new production of a classic movie, "Man's Search For Happiness.'  A beautiful film."

-Carla Brimhall, Church News

"'Love Songs,' closes Pageant of Arts Recital Series.  Onstage, Payne's mood is thoughtful and honest, with lots of laughter and even a few tears." -Utah News Group

"There are no facades with Marvin Payne. He is a down-to-earth, powerful performer, broadening his audience's sense of purpose and  enjoyment."

-Tradewinds

"'Phantom' [is] warm as a quilt, colorful as a rainbow.  Don’t miss it.  And take tissues along.  This builds to a gut-wrenching ending that leaves you limp.  Marvin Payne is outstanding in the title role,--a phantom with whom you can sympathize."

-Olga Milius, Eagle Newspapers

"'Phantom' delivers...touching and emotional...Marvin Payne is perfectly suited to the role of Eric, the masked Phantom.  He is a victim, not a villain, and behind his disfigured face is a man capable of love and compassion." -Ivan Lincoln, Deseret News

"There is a phantom in town not to be missed...a theatrical gem...Marvin Payne, who must convey the depth of his character without benefit of facial expressions...uses his tall slender body and his sizable voice to deliver a Phantom who is compassionate and complex.  He infuses this loner with shyness and vulnerability...creating onstage an emotional connection audiences long for and seldom find."

-Nancy Melich, Salt Lake Tribune

"The comedy conceit [of Irma Vep] is that five of the show's seven actors are unable to perform, leaving Marvin Payne and Chris Brower -- two venerable and very bearded actors -- to play all the parts.  Men dressed as women are funny (especially if one of them is Marvin Payne).  Brower and Payne play all the parts with great focus and energy, Payne coming across as steady and unflappable. (His high-falutin' Lady Enid is hysterical, as is the indecipherable Scottish accent he uses for Nicodemus.) Payne and Brower are good at what they do, and their combined charisma (even when it's distributed over seven characters) adds a lot to this family-friendly seasonal treat."

-Eric D. Snider, Provo Daily Herald

"You must see 'J. Golden.'  Why?  First of all, it stars Marvin Payne, who is, in one word, incredible.  He expertly adopts the high-pitched voice of J. Golden, and is very convincing from the moment he appears.  For those of who know Marvin as a wonderful singer, one scene in the show is particularly memorable. J. Golden wasn't the world's greatest singer, and Marvin does a very good job of singing off-key. A robust man in his early 50's, Marvin has all the old-age moves of J. Golden down to a 'T': the shuffling walk, the measured steps, and the tentative searching to make sure he's actually standing in front of a chair before collapsing into it, a frail bag of bones obviously glad to get off his feet.     Second, Golden's talks are peppered with cowboy vernacular and, yes, the occasional swear word, for which Golden profusely apologizes but just can't seem to curtail.  He was the common man's General Authority, in that he appears to be no better or worse than the average rank and file member.  

Third, the play is written by James Arrington, he of Brother Brigham and Farley Family fame.  James has written a marvelously funny, moving, and inspirational monologue about one of the great characters of the Restoration.     You will not be disappointed."

-Thom Duncan, Playwrights Circle