PRESS/TESTIMONIALS
Bob Rubin, TSP News, Diana at Theo Cabaret Theatre 2025
”Shoutouts go to Joe Pietro and David Bryan’s musical score and the musical direction of Carolyn Brady and Kev Zhou; Orchestration was note perfect.”
Paul Lisnek, Behind the Curtain, WGN+/WGNRadio.com, Diana at Theo Cabaret Theatre 2025
”Diana was shut down all too soon on Broadway due to Covid but now finds its home at Theo in Evanston. The company of players do it all and fill the theater with incredible vocal strength and amazing performances. It’s an evening not soon forgotten.”
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review, Diana at Theo Cabaret Theatre 2025
”And the score’s sung by a gifted cast of triple-threats, performed under the Musical Direction of Carolyn Brady.”
Misha Davenport, Broadway World Chicago, Diana at Theo Cabaret Theatre 2025
“Gloriously sung by the entire cast with a graceful and poised performance by Kate McQuillan as the title character.”
Alan Bresloff, Around the Town Chicago (Highly Recommended), The Secret Garden at Theo Cabaret Theatre 2024
”Tonight I was witness to the most beautiful production I have ever seen of ‘The Secret Garden’…The cast for this production is amazingly talented with voices that are pure magic…each performer exceeds the expectations of the audience members…musical director Carolyn Brady and her two musicians bring the music to life and never overpower the wonderful voices on the stage.”
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review (Highly Recommended), The Secret Garden at Theo Cabaret Theatre 2024
”Carolyn Brady’s musical direction is brilliant. Manning the keyboard, she subtly conducts her two talented orchestra members…The labor of love by these talented artists is evident throughout.”
Barry Reszel, Chicagoland Musical Theatre (Highly Recommended), The Secret Garden at Theo Cabaret Theatre 2024
”…brilliantly brought to stage at Evanston’s intimate Theo…lovely simple music of the three-person orchestra led by Carolyn Brady…vocally superb castmates…Then there’s the impeccable ensemble…each member helps fill the room…with glorious harmonies magnificently sung.”
Row Light, Third Coast Review (Highly Recommended), The Secret Garden at Theo Cabaret Theatre 2024
”Brady utilizes the singers’ and musicians’ incredible range, as they embody the wind howling across the moor and bring the ghostly mansion to life.”
Catey Sullivan, Chicago Reader, The Secret Garden at Theo Cabaret Theatre 2024
”…when the cast is in song…soaring case in point: ‘Hold On’, anchored by [Dakota} Hughes’ galvanic insistence…powerfully delivered in Theo’s joyful production.”
Ed Tracy, PicksInSix Review (Highly Recommended), The Secret Garden at Theo Cabaret Theatre 2024
"In fact, the entire Lucy Simon score is offered in a mature, charming guise by music director Carolyn Brady and her charges. And this chorus...outstanding. Wow!"
Kelly Kleiman, Chicago Reader, Theo’s Sondheim Tribute Review Triumphs, Sondheim Tribute Review at Theo 2024
”…with superb musical direction from pianist Carolyn Brady…alongside flawless ensemble work…”
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, Sondheim Tribute Review at Theo 2024
”…a wonderful experience.”
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review (Highly Recommended), Cinderella at Drury Lane 2023
“The show is compact, exquisitely directed and brilliantly choreographed by Amber Mak, with expert musical direction by Jeff Award-winner, Carolyn Brady.”
Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald, Cinderella at Drury Lane 2023
“Lovely to behold and even lovelier to hear…”
Tina St. Angelo Wetzel, Broadway World, Cinderella at Drury Lane 2023
“This talented cast…brings this fairytale to magnificent life with wonderful vocals…”
Edie Reese, Around the Town Chicago, Elephant & Piggie at Marriott 2023
“Rounding out the cast are the Squirelles, a trio of singing and dancing squirrels who participate in and comment on the action. Ciarra Stroud, Brian Bandura, and Sara Reinecke are well-matched in blended harmony.”
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theater Review, A Chorus Line at Drury Lane 2023
” A brilliantly, gifted cast of truly likable actor/singer/dancers, stunning choreography and dramatic guidance by Jane Lanier, superb musical direction by Carolyn Brady, and masterful musical accompaniment conducted by Christopher Sargent’s severn-member pit orchestra make this production a must see.… Drury Lane’s new production of A Chorus Line proudly stands as a golden classic for the ages.”
Megan Grosso National Tour The Prom Ensemble/Emma Understudy 2021-2022
“I’ve been working with Carolyn Brady for five years now, and I credit all of my vocal growth and success to her. I came in with only three years of vocal experience, and have grown tremendously due to her expertise in style, technique, vocal health, and vocal performance.
Carolyn is caring, supportive, understanding, incredibly knowledgeable, and has helped me become a more marketable performer in Musical Theatre. She not only helped me throughout my years in college, but also helped me post graduation with my callbacks for a Broadway National Tour, where I am presently in the Ensemble and understudying the lead. I always look forward to my lessons with Carolyn, whether it be in person or online, and I would absolutely recommend her as a vocal coach/teacher to anyone who is in need.”
Cultural Attache (Blog), Craig L. Byrd's interview w/Rob Colletti (Dewey Finn, School of Rock National Tour) 2018
"I guess Carolyn Brady was my Dewey. She was my first ever theatre and music teacher in high school. I went to a Catholic High School [St. Francis High School in Wheaton, IL] and she really went against what you would anticipate a traditional curriculum in a Catholic high school to be. She exposed us to the musical theatre classics, Buried Child by Sam Shepard, The Laramie Project. We actually got to read plays and we would do readings in our theatre class to see what the story would feel like. It wasn’t just theatre. She showed us video of operas and concerts by people who made a difference in her life. And art.
I grew up playing sports my entire life and in high school I actually started acting by accident. I auditioned for a play my freshman year. I went with a friend who walked by my locker and said “do this thing with me.” I ended up getting the lead role. Ms. Brady said “You should do it. You’re really good.” I ended up doing every show the whole time I was in high school. I wouldn’t be here without her encouragement. She opened my eyes to how different your world could be by going out of your comfort zone.”
Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune, Urinetown at Circle Theatre 2011
“…… and Carolyn Brady Riley’s Ms. Pennywise (the brassy matron of the public urinal) are standouts.”
Doug Deuchler, Wednesday Journal, Urinetown at Circle Theatre 2011
“Tough-as-nails Penny Pennywise (Carolyn Brady Riley) collects all the fees. Riley is a standout with her song, ‘It's a Privilege to Pee’ ".
Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times, Meet Me In St. Louis at Circle Theatre 2006
“The large, fresh-faced cast .......... they do full justice to the score when they band together under Carolyn Brady Riley's musical direction. “
Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald, Meet Me In St. Louis at Circle Theatre 2006
"........when they came together for numbers like ‘Meet Me in St. Louis,’ the cheery period tune ‘Skip to My Lou’ and the splendid, wonderfully staged ‘Trolley Song,’ the cast sounded glorious. Kudos to music director Carolyn Brady Riley.”