Bridges of Madison County

“This steamy, lovely ‘Bridges of Madison County’ at Theo Ubique belongs to its lead actress. I kept thinking Monday night that it is mere happenstance that you can find Kelli Harrington, a name unknown to most Chicagoans, performing in a small theater on Howard Street, rather than playing a lead on Broadway. I had just seen three musicals in New York that very weekend; none of them had contained a performance comparable to the work being done that night by Harrington.”  (Chicago Tribune) Chris Jones

“Leads Kelli Harrington and Tommy Thurston bring a smoldering gravitas to their performances that makes the story believable and delicious… .The cast is made up of extremely talented singers, but Harrington’s spectacular soprano is a standout.” (Chicago Reader) Sheri Flanders

“In a class all by herself, Harrington sings and evokes in parallel, like a fine diva—an arched eyebrow, a furtive look, shaking her locks—it’s really quite stunning to witness.”  (Buzz Center Stage) Bill Esler

“When Harrington sings of Francesca’s journey from Italy to the world of corn and cows . . . first, there’s the music. Harrington doesn’t seem to be singing the notes so much as the notes seem to be shimmering from her entire being. It’s sonic magic.”  (Chicago Sun Times) Catey Sullivan

“ . . . A great spark of electricity could be felt in the theater from the moment Harrington, a long-haired beauty whose emotions sweep across her face like waves, began to sing the musical’s first song, “To Build a Home.” Her warm, velvety voice is close to operatic, yet at the same time wholly unaffected, and combined with her superb gifts as an actress, she established instant belief.” (WTTW) Hedy Weiss

“Kelli Harrington is truly perfect in this role and should earn another Jeff nomination.” (Around the Town Chicago) Alan Bresloff

“The songs are the glue for this production, led onstage with a truly magnificent performance by Jeff Award winner Kelli Harrington as Francesca. She is simply flawless.”  (Chicagoland Musical Theatre) Barry Reszel

“As Francesca, lovely Kelli Harrington is glorious. She’s already played some of the most iconic leading roles in musical theatre, but here Kelli gorgeously creates a Francesca for Theo Ubique that’s luminous. Theatergoers who know Ms. Harrington’s work realize that she possesses one of the most beautifully trained voices in Chicago. In this role she is nothing less than superb. In addition to her gorgeous, crystal-clear soprano, Ms. Harrington has the kind of expressive face on which, without ever speaking a word, an entire story is conveyed.”  (Chicago Theatre Review) Colin Douglas

A Little Night Music

“The epicenter of the musical is Kelli Harrington’s Desiree Armfeldt. To watch Harrington’s gorgeous performance is to shake your fist at the sky and rage anew at a universe that awards Tonys to movie stars who deliver lesser Desirees. Harrington’s “Send in the Clowns” is one of the best you’ll hear of the endlessly covered song. Bring a handkerchief—you will weep.”  (Chicago Sun Times)

“As Desiree, the excellent Kelli Harrington conveys a mixture of irony and gravity that gives the story a solid if unconventional moral anchor.”  (Chicago Reader) Albert Williams

“Charismatic actress Kelli Harrington playing Desiree Armfeldt moved center stage showing that she is almost tearing, her voice and presence reels us in and holds us close. She does so with nearly every one of her lines and lyrics, infusing the quips of her character with a timing that makes her spirited character feel true to the name her love adventuress mother had bestowed on her.”  (picturethispost) Amy Munice

“Kelli Harrington, though younger than you’d expect, is magnetic as Desiree.” (windycitymediagroup)

“Kelli Harrington, who is nothing short of a scene stealer . . . delivers that famous song with admirable vocal prowess but also delivers the emotion necessary to make it really sing. Harrington manages to hit both the comedic and more somber notes in her role—and even in the moments when Desiree is at her most ridiculous, she finds truth in the character’s actions.”  (rachelweinbergreviews)

“Crowning an ensemble creative enough to take risks and accomplished enough not to need to, Kelli Harrington makes us never want to forget—or even be momentarily apart from—her stage-weary, glamorous Desiree. Her bittersweet “Send in the Clowns,” the ultimate anthem for mid-life crises everywhere, marinates in dignified regret. Every note matters as Desiree attempts to find a “coherent existence after so many years of muddle.” Skilled at effacing the actress in order to show us Desiree’s sole role, Harrington’s delicious diva earns her name.” (stageandcinema) Lawrence Bommer

“One of Chicago’s finest actresses, Jeff Award-winner Kelli Harrington is musically stunning and dramatically captivating in her honest, grounded portrayal of Desiree Armfeldt. Ms. Harrington’s rendition of the show’s hit ballad, “Send in the Clowns,” is quite simply magnificent.”  (chicagotheatrereview) Colin Douglas

“The inimitable Kelli Harrington shines as Desiree Armfeldt, giving a master class in performance through sheerly devastating tact, timing, and grace. From her cunning, organic choices and the clear, detailed attention she provides to her scene partners, Harrington is without flaw….Harrington gives the definitive rendition of “Send in the Clowns.” Harrington’s presence on stage and her portrayal of this role is nothing short of brilliant.” (chicagolandmusicaltheatre) Quinn Rigg

“As for Harrington, she embodies Desiree . . . (and) really punches the frustrations of her difficult life while allowing her character to maintain the happy appearance she displays to the world. Harrington’s “Send in the Clowns,” the show’s signature number, is heartbreaking in its world-weariness.”  (chicagoonstage) Karen Topham

Perfect Arrangement

“[T]he foursome’s “perfect arrangement” begins to shred, thanks in part to resistance from a boldly bisexual State Department officer (the wonderful Kelli Harrington) targeted as a “security risk.”  (Chicago Reader) Albert Williams

“The liberated State Department translator Barbara (Kelli Harrington) and boss’s wife Kitty (Amber Snyder) are arguably the best things in the show and create a perfect balance of suave and ditzy to play against the main four.”  (perform.ink) Haley Slamon

The Adding Machine

“With Kelli Harrington (a huge talent who first emerged at the Theo Ubique Theatre) playing Mrs. Zero, Button and set designer Lauren Nigri paint a comic picture of stultifying boudoir boredom just credible enough for it to send shivers down the spine.”  (Chicago Tribune) Chris Jones

“As Mrs. Zero, Harrington nags, brays, and begs with an exquisite, steely voice.” (theatermania) Matthew Gregory Hollis

“Harrington’s portrayal of Mrs. Zero—who has the potential to come across as domineering and uncaring—presents a variety of layers, from dutiful love to an eagerness to keep up appearances and a few glimpses of genuine caring.”  (thirdcoastreview) Brent Eickhoff

"Lovely Kelli Harrington is perfect as the shrewish, social climbing Mrs. Zero. This talented actress/singer vocally carries the first 15 minutes of the story, singing some of the most difficult music since Kurt Weill." (chicagotheatrereview) Colin Douglas

Sweeney Todd

“Standouts include Kelli Harrington as the Beggar Woman (what a voice!).”  (Huffington Post) Robert Bullen

“Beautiful Kelli Harrington, a consummate actress and skilled vocalist in any role she plays, grounds the Beggar Woman in as much reality as can be found in this character. Her gorgeous voice leads the ensemble in so many numbers, and she’s heartbreaking in the Final Sequence staged in Sweeney’s Tonsorial Parlor.”      (chicagotheatrereview) Colin Douglas

Aspects of Love

“Harrington, a huge talent, really is spectacularly suited to the role of Rose Vibert, the hungry actress who tours in Ibsen and gets addicted to the drama of all that.”  (Chicago Tribune) Chris Jones

“Kelli Harrington, the Jeff Award-winning actress who plays Rose . . . lights up the tiny space with her soulful, heart-felt portrayal and gorgeous soprano.” (Chicago Theatre Review) Colin Douglas

“Here’s what works about the show: First off, Kelli Harrington. As Rose Vibert, she’s at the amorous epicenter of the musical soap opera and she’s magnificent. Soaring through “Anything But Lonely,” she delivers an anthem that is both bittersweet and celebratory, a plaintive, swoon-worthy song tinged with rue and hope.”  (Chicago Magazine) Catey Sullivan

“ . . . The return of Kelli Harrington to Theo Ubique’s stage after her award winning performance in last year’s “The Light in the Piazza,” again shows her ability to bring feeling and warmth to the stage along with a marvelous voice.”  (aroundthetownchicago) Alan Bresloff

“Kelli Harrington as the actress Rose is downright opulent, as graceful as an old Hollywood starlet in her beautifully well-tuned phrasings.”  (chicagocritic) Tom Williams

“The center of much deserved adoration is Chicago Diva Kelli Harrington (Rose). When Harrington sings, people hold their breath as to not miss a moment of her perfectly pitched singing. She is extraordinary.”  (Chicago Now) Katy Walsh

Light in the Piazza

“Kelli Harrington, the little-known actress playing Margaret Johnson in Fred Anzevino and Brenda Didier’s deftly sung, intensely intimate, astutely staged and very moving little production of the Adam Guettel musical is currently delivering one of the best performances of the year on a Chicago stage.”  (Chicago Tribune) Chris Jones

“Rachel Klippel as Clara, Justin Adair as her suitor and the magnificent Kelli Harrington as the mother have the operatic voices the work demands, but every word—and every emotional nuance—is rendered crystal clear as well. This is musical theater of the very highest order.” (chicagoreader) Albert Williams

“Margaret, (the mother) is played by a new shining light for Chicago, Kelli Harrington, who absolutely mesmerized me with her performance. Remember this name, because she will be snapped up by other theater companies—she is superb!” (aroundthetownchicago)

“Vocal powerhouse Harrington brings immense depth to Margaret; her relationship with Clara is the show’s most poignant love story.” (timeoutchicago)

“But the show is anchored by the strong performance by Kelli Harrington as Margaret. Her emotionally wrenching songs underscore her angst, her fear, and her under loved spirit. Harrington is terrific here.”  (chicagocritic) Tom Williams

“Kelli Harrington gives a performance of subtlety and depth as Margaret Johnson and she sings wonderfully. This is the role that pulls the entire show together and Harrington’s warmth and humanity in the face of wrenching domestic strain is masterful.” (stageandcinema) Dan Zeff