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MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLY
CINCINATTI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK
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Ordinary world
independent short

NOMINATED FOR BEST ACTRESS
SYRACUSE AREA REGIONAL THEATER AWARDS
​For GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Estella)

REVIEWS

"As Elizabeth, Marina Shay pivots effortlessly through them on a whim of thought. She leads us through scenes, from dance to ball, from first sight to first slight, taking us through every key moment of her courtship with Darcy" - Broadway World

 "Shay owned Lizzy and created her with so much nuance and humor through the simplest of facial expressions and hand gestures that I never conceived when I read the story. I couldn’t take my eyes off her." - Alt Daily

Shay has a remarkable reputation right now in regional theaters...She's a very good actor, and I'm thrilled to have her because she understands the angle that I want to take in the script. She's been a great help."
- James Bowen, director of The Miracle Worker in the Montgomery Advisor

“Marina Shay* as Viola De Lesseps is perfectly matched...This is a strong part designed for a strong woman and Marina carries it off.”
- Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Deliciously feisty”, “Plucky and passionate”
- Cleveland.com, Cleveland Jewish News"

"Shay's comedic talent brings all the humor out of her character"
"Shay and Norstedt play brilliantly off each other" - Montgomery Advisor

"...the leads are excellent, particularly Shay as Viola" - Montgomery Advisor

“Luminous Marina Shay as Viola de Lesseps, the wealthy, literate beauty who becomes his muse.” 
- News Herald Entertainment

“Fervent and beautiful...The relationship between Will and Viola is beautifully crafted.”
-Akron Beacon Journal
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"Marina Shay (Narrator 4) transforms herself from the haughty Estella to the sweet Biddy very easily. Her facial expressions stand out in every scene and in every role. Her line delivery, movement, and connection with her fellow actors are very strong. Her accents are also something to applaud."
- Broadway World

"Acting highlights include Marina Shay who enthusiastically embraces the absurdity of the situations that her character is placed in, engaging in convincing combat and injecting some much-need humor into her performance." 
- My Entertainment World

“Indeed, Shay’s Helen steals the show. She’s the only fully-formed character, funny, engaging, totally present in every moment.”
-blogcritics.org

“While Emily Dickinson may have been the titular character, the real star was Marina Shay as Helen Hunt Jackson. Shay has an impeccable approach to comedy. She was an engaging narrator and wonderful companion.”
-Theaterinthenow.com

"Marina Shay as Roxane is perfection. Her Roxane is complex. Although superficial, she is as much the romantic as Cyrano, yet at times as self-serving as the Comte. When Roxane discovers that it was Cyrano, not Christian, whose words so moved her, Shay conveys her character's bewilderment. Roxane experiences a number of emotions simultaneously, including sorrow and loss. Shay takes us there,
​not over the top. But just enough."
-Boothbay Register Review

Marina Shay is luminous as Roxane. Thankfully, she has given the oft-dumb character a believable life. At last, we see a Roxane who, although misled in love, remains a strong woman. She tricks her way past enemy lines, but not with inanity, with intellect and determination. Her realization at the end of the play is powerfully done and adds greatly to the final moments."
-LCN
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"The lovely Roxanne is performed with considerable stage presence by Marina Shay. A tricky role to play convincingly, as she needs to be passionate and intelligent, while not so inquisitive as to actually catch on to the truth." 
-Coastal Review

"Marina Shay captures the innocent, hopeful Iphigenia, who bursts upon the scene like a carefree Valley girl...Iphigenia’s metamorphosis from spirited bride-to-be to stoic sacrificial lamb is heartbreaking…It’s funny and tragic."
-Cleveland Jewish News

"At the center, of course, is Iphigenia, played with touching innocence by Marina Shay. It is hard to watch her mortal decision and not think of the warriors who fight under our banner...both selfless and naïve."
-Rave and Pan