PERFORMANCES
The Ballad of Rodrigo
"Matthew J. Nichols portrays the vicious Rodrigo as a glorious recreation of the sniveling Richard Widmark in Kiss of Death." - TheaterScene.net "In “Rodrigo” we get to see some very entertaining performances.... This is particularly true of the leading actress and Matthew J. Nichols (Rodrigo), both of whom feel like they stepped right out of a Cagney film." - Stagebuddy.com "[T]he guy whose ballad this is turns out to be a compelling and fascinating character who drives this story with dynamism and verve." - NYTheatreNow.com "Played by Matthew J. Nichols, Rodrigo was a standout character from the very beginning." - BroadwaySpotted.com Professional Skepticism "[A] goofy retribution fantasy against the cocksure and almighty, and a dark comedy of corporate immorality… Matthew J. Nichols plays [Paul] as a first-rate disgruntled sycophant." - The New York Times "As enacted by an offbeat and very funny cast, it is flat-out terrific." - Backstage (Critic’s Pick) "The cast of four turn in fine performances, each bringing to life, with specific clarity, the multi-dimensional characters that Rasheed has created. ...[A]n enjoyable evening of darkness." - NYTheatre.com "[W]onderful anti-villain Matthew J. Nichols...does marginal slapstick with this role, but he uses the levity well. A careful dollop of humor smeared over his master plan to ruin his competitors' careers is just the right amount to allow him to be the fine line between hero and villain." - New Theater Corps Snake in Fridge "[T]he cast works very well together, with some truly standout performances from Susan O'Connor as a mentally handicapped child-woman, Sarah K. Lippmann as her tough but loving sister, and Matthew J. Nichols as the drug-addicted male stripper who threatens them. (Mr. Nichols particularly shines in a comic monologue..." - BroadwayWorld.com Scapin Matthew J. Nichols is "a great new mug and mugger as an assortment of messengers. When he is on, all he has to do is walk onstage to be hysterical, and he is definitely on here. Scapin is a nice way to end the New Rep season, and it gives welcome prominence to new faces." - Boston Globe "Most astonishing of all is Matthew J. Nichols, who makes of an all-purpose bearer of 'Bad News,' perched on a tiny bike and clad in a Western Union uniform, a sort of junior Sweeney Todd, his piercing intensity like a flaming cherry atop the nonsense." - Boston Phoenix "…expert work from the fearlessly gonzo Matthew J. Nichols." - Bay Windows |
DIRECTION
The Why Overhead
"Adam Szymkowicz’s office comedy “The Why Overhead” has some genuinely funny moments and an odd sensibility...goosed to a frantic intensity by the director, Matthew J. Nichols."
- The New York Times
"All of this inspired mayhem is directed with enthusiastic energy by Matthew J. Nichols."
- Theatermania
“The Why Overhead” entertains because of some fine and funny lines, delivered by director Matthew J. Nichols’ well-cast 12-member ensemble in bursts of inspired dialogue and in soaring, silly monologues that are near-poetic comic riffs."
- Backstage
"Matthew J. Nichols has had as much fun staging with those cubicles as you could ever hope, people are constantly and literally popping in and out of conversations they don’t belong in, creating some fun comedic bits."
- New York Theater Review
"What ensues is a full twelve-person cast dream sequence of a cute and catchy hobo song. It is one of the show's most outrageously creative and inspired moments, not only for its joyful sense of fun but also for its poignant finale."
- Theatermania
"Matthew J. Nichols helms the play and does a great job keeping all the chaos and energy focused."
- NYTheatre.com
Still the River Runs
NYIT Award Nomination for Outstanding Direction
"[A] treat to watch."
- The New York Times
"Matthew J. Nichols’ sensitive direction…sucessfully navigates the play’s tricky blend of wit and melancholia."
- Backstage (Critic’s Pick)
"Director Matthew J. Nichols keeps the show moving briskly, and uses the unit set...shrewdly and ingeniously. Bishop has talent, clearly, and so does Nichols; Nichols's young company, Zootopia Theatre, is one to keep an eye on."
- NYTheatre.com
Eminene
FOUR STARS! "[T]he show doesn't disappoint."
-Time Out New York
"Director Matthew J. Nichols keeps the cast focused and energized. Eminene is a very vivid piece and well worth seeing."
- NYTheatre.com
Secondary Pitch
"Everyone loves a good sports story and Secondary Pitch does not let down! ...Nichols made great use of the space. The audience was seated in the Dowds’ living room and took in the action much like one would consume TV from their own living room couch."
- Stagebuddy.com
"Director Matthew J. Nichols discovered the truths and sincerity of Phillip's play and brought them to light. With a three quarter thrust set up, staging could be hard, but Nichols was able to allow each seat to be a good seat. Nichols and his design team were able to establish a multi-location world within the small theater."
- TheaterInTheNow.com
"Adam Szymkowicz’s office comedy “The Why Overhead” has some genuinely funny moments and an odd sensibility...goosed to a frantic intensity by the director, Matthew J. Nichols."
- The New York Times
"All of this inspired mayhem is directed with enthusiastic energy by Matthew J. Nichols."
- Theatermania
“The Why Overhead” entertains because of some fine and funny lines, delivered by director Matthew J. Nichols’ well-cast 12-member ensemble in bursts of inspired dialogue and in soaring, silly monologues that are near-poetic comic riffs."
- Backstage
"Matthew J. Nichols has had as much fun staging with those cubicles as you could ever hope, people are constantly and literally popping in and out of conversations they don’t belong in, creating some fun comedic bits."
- New York Theater Review
"What ensues is a full twelve-person cast dream sequence of a cute and catchy hobo song. It is one of the show's most outrageously creative and inspired moments, not only for its joyful sense of fun but also for its poignant finale."
- Theatermania
"Matthew J. Nichols helms the play and does a great job keeping all the chaos and energy focused."
- NYTheatre.com
Still the River Runs
NYIT Award Nomination for Outstanding Direction
"[A] treat to watch."
- The New York Times
"Matthew J. Nichols’ sensitive direction…sucessfully navigates the play’s tricky blend of wit and melancholia."
- Backstage (Critic’s Pick)
"Director Matthew J. Nichols keeps the show moving briskly, and uses the unit set...shrewdly and ingeniously. Bishop has talent, clearly, and so does Nichols; Nichols's young company, Zootopia Theatre, is one to keep an eye on."
- NYTheatre.com
Eminene
FOUR STARS! "[T]he show doesn't disappoint."
-Time Out New York
"Director Matthew J. Nichols keeps the cast focused and energized. Eminene is a very vivid piece and well worth seeing."
- NYTheatre.com
Secondary Pitch
"Everyone loves a good sports story and Secondary Pitch does not let down! ...Nichols made great use of the space. The audience was seated in the Dowds’ living room and took in the action much like one would consume TV from their own living room couch."
- Stagebuddy.com
"Director Matthew J. Nichols discovered the truths and sincerity of Phillip's play and brought them to light. With a three quarter thrust set up, staging could be hard, but Nichols was able to allow each seat to be a good seat. Nichols and his design team were able to establish a multi-location world within the small theater."
- TheaterInTheNow.com