Press

What the Critics Have Said…

SUMMER OF LOVE @ Ogunquit Playhouse

 

“…Another standout is Soara-Joye Ross, who plays Saige. Ross has an incredible voice, as  heard in “Everyday People” where she and Pope lead the ensemble to great effect. In her solo number “Piece of My Heart,” she is particularly outstanding and the emotion and power she puts into the piece induce chills…”

- Erin Sullivan, The Journal Tribune  

“… special kudos should go to Soara-Joye Ross who has a set of pipes that set her apart from the rest of a very, very talented cast of vocalists…”

- Joe Sheehan, Seacoastonline.com 

“…Standout performances (and there were many) come from Soara-Joye Ross (Saige) and Bets Malone (Janis) who call on the spirit of 1960?s departed greats like Janis Joplin and Mama Cass…”

- Buzz Dietterle, Fosters.com

“…There was no question that Soara-Joye Ross (Saige) was a standout in her rendition of “Piece Of My Heart” — this native New Yorker, type 1 DIVAbetic wailed on those lyrics with raw emotion and powerhouse vocals!”

- Michael Tobin, The Portland Daily Sun 

“…It’s almost impossible to stop watching Soara-Joye Ross, who has her moment when at her whit’s end with a love triangle, she climbs cat-like around the scaffolding admonishing her lover to “Take a Little Piece of My Heart…”

- Tracey Dee Rauh, The Eagle-Tribune

“…There’s so much to love here, including Ross, whose soulful rendition of “Piece of My Heart” pulsates…”

- Sheila Barth, THE THEATER MIRROR, New England’s LIVE Theater Guide

 

CROSS THAT RIVER @ NYMF

“With the first-act finale, “I Must Believe,” she whips herself and the audience into an ecstatic frenzy as Mama Lila reflects on the liberty she hopes awaits her with her ultimate master, God. Ross blasts into the very depths of her heart and soul to make this not merely a powerful statement against slavery and in favor of faith and freedom, but also so explosively theatrical that comparing it to Jennifer Holliday’s “And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going” in Dreamgirls and Fantasia Barrino’s “I’m Here” in The Color Purple would not be out of place. Ross draws tears from your eyes and elevates you out of your seat and convinces you there really is a better place for everyone…after “I Must Believe,”… people’s bodies are still ringing with…catharsis. “I Must Believe” is an amazing song, and Ross’s performance of it is unforgettable…”

- Matthew Murray, Talkinbroadway.com 

“There are no weak voices in Cross that River, but there is one actor who deserves special mention. Soara-Joye Ross as Mama Lila, the slave woman who raises Blue, concludes Act I with the hair-raising gospel anthem “I Must Believe.” Ross gives the song her entire body and all of her considerable range (without making it sound like an “American Idol” audition). The result is an ecstatic, athletic, sublime performance. By blackout I was shaking, and I don’t think I was the only one. Even if the rest of the production were poor — which is far from the truth — it would be worth sitting through for this song.”

-Marianne Moore, Showbusinessweekly.com

“Soara-Joye Ross excels in two very different roles. As Mama Lila, Blue’s elder caregiver and fellow plantation slave, she’s the embodiment of tough love, moving like a woman who has known nothing but work, her face taking on a worried glow as she watches over everyone on the plantation. Mama Lila is a preaching woman, and Ross brings down the house with the Act 1 finale, the overwhelming spiritual “I Must Believe.” Relentlessly specific in her depictions, Ross also impresses as saloon girl Pearl, a role that exploits her youth and sexuality.”

- Ruthie Fierberg, Backstage.com 

“Hearing the stirring standout gospel song sung by Soara-Joye Ross is reason enough to see Cross That River… Ross’s powerful rendition of “I Must Believe” elucidates, by itself, the pain and loss of someone whose family is torn by slavery in the South, and defines the hope of her young son…Soara-Joye Ross’s delivery of “I Must Believe” reaches an emotional depth that leaves no doubt about her message…”

– Jo An Rosen, NYTheatre.com  

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE @ The Duke on 42

“Ross plays SBF 2 like a multivalent, likeable Samantha Jones (OK, couldn’t resist making the parallel)-she’s sexually voracious and outspoken but genuine and poignant when she talks about her loneliness.”

–Mary Block, The L Magazine  

“ It’s reminiscent of what comedy duo Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney did with their Off-Broadway show before it became and HBO special, except Marie and Ross are far sexier and have broader appeal.”

-Jerry Portwood, Backstage  

AIDA @ The Arvada Center…

“The program says it is Soara-Joye Ross playing the role of Aida. Don’t look for Ross. She isn’t there. With every move, every gesture, every heartbeat, every decision, Aida comes to life.”

-Holly Bartges, Colorado Backstage  

Title Actress Carries Show … “But there’s no doubt this is Ross’ show. The actress gives a stirring performance in the title role. Ross exudes dignity, intelligence, strength and beauty, and that’s exactly who Aida needs to be for the story to work… Soara-Joye Ross soars joyfully through her performance.”

–Mark Collins, Daily Camera   

“Soara-Joye Ross has real star quality as Aida…the lady is dignified and beautiful, and she sure can sing. As she ripped into the grief-stricken ballad “Easy as Life,” I thought for a moment that Elton John had transcended himself and his genre. But then I realized it was Ross’s voice, rather than the song, that was lifting the moment above the mundane.”

–Juliett Wittman, Denver Westword   

A…MY NAME IS ALICE @ The Producers Club

“Soara-Joye Ross is, to me, outstanding.”

-Richmond Shepard, Performing Arts INSIDER   

 

TICK, TICK…BOOM! @ The Alliance Theater

“As Susan, Soara-Joye Ross was wonderful. A magnificent actress with a phenomenal voice, her “Come to Your Senses” was one of the most memorable moments of the show.”

–Atlanta’s Theater Review   

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ @ The Huntington Theater

“When Soara-Joye Ross sings “Squeeze Me,” it’s easy to feel the hug.”

–Terry Byrne, Boston Herald   

“Even when Soara-Joye Ross’s rendition of the saucy “Squeeze Me” slows the pace early on, her breathy vocals, ample display of cleavage, and come-hither gestures keep heartbeats racing.”

–Ted Drozdowski, The Boston Phoenix  

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND @ Bay Street Theater

“Soara-Joye Ross as the Mother Earth goddess assures that “Mama Will Provide” in a rollicking road trip to Daniel’s castle, reeling us into the rush toward Ti Moune’s inevitable fate.”

– Steve Parks, Newsday.com   

RAGTIME@ Weston Playhouse

“Soara-Joye Ross soared as Sarah, in an impressive accounting of that part.”

–Dan Wolfe, Shelburne News 

“The beautiful Soara-Joye Ross as Sarah…possessed with a rich singing voice, Ross is appealing.  Her performance is a blend of hope and heartbreak, and the duet with Coalhouse on “Sarah Brown Eyes” is an emotional ride that one won’t soon forget.”

–William Menezes, Brattleboro Reformer  

AWARDS/NOMINATIONS

• 2009 New York Music Theatre Festival’s “Best of Fest” Outstanding Individual Performance Award (Cross That River)

• 2006 Henry Award Nominee for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Aida)
• Best Actress in a Musical (Aida) -Dreamwell.com