Topher Alan Payne

Much Ado About Nothing at the Hilberry Theatre

"Topher Payne's Balthasar and his performance of Sigh No More earned welldeserved applause from a charmed audience."  -- Bridgette M. Redman @ Encore Michigan  http://www.encoremichigan.com/article.html?article=5302

 

Marriage at the Hilberry Theatre

 

"Even Silence is golden:  Payne's Zhevakin resolutely squaring his shoulders on his exit is mute testimony that the rejected lieutenant is down but not out." -- John Quinn @ Encore Michigan  http://www.encoremichigan.com/article.html?article=7082

 

Marat/Sade at the Hilberry Theatre

 

"The Herald is the formidable Topher Payne, cross dressing in heels, a white slip, and red opera gloves.  Overall, his remarkable performance is reminiscent of the Master of Ceremonies in "Cabaret."  Evoking that account of the failing Weimar Republic would warm the cockles of Brecht's Marxist heart."  -- John Quinn @ Encore Michigan  http://www.encoremichigan.com/article.html?article=7268

 

 

Directing Review for Speech and Debate by Stephen Karam

 

"Topher Payne directs a talented cast in this darkly funny play that, regardless whether one agrees with all the sentiments expressed, probably accurately reflects the reality of life for many high schhol students today....If all of this sounds dreadfully heavy, you'll be surprised at how much laughing you do in this cleverly written play.  And, perhaps oddly, much of what they say is funny because it is so obviously honest about how they feel and what they are going through....There is a lot here that many would surely find offensive, but there is too much to admire for me to care much about that."  -- Robert Delaney of The New Monitor