05/24/05

Press Reviews and articles

From the News Herald:

"It's always exciting when a local actor hits the big time.  For young Emma Wahl, a 10 year old currently attending school at Hawken, the big time is now."

". . . Emma Wahl might be on her way to joining the distinguished list of other Cleveland area notables who have gone on to entertainment industry greatness.  Bob Hope and Halle Berry, watch out!"

"A long run on Broadway would be the culmination of a quick rise to the top for young Emma."

From Northern Ohio Live magazine:

"Few actors can boast having worked nonstop since the age of seven, but Emma Wahl is not your average thespian."

"And she's an adorable twin in real life, sharing that distinction with her brother Evan."

From the ANNIE review in The Akron Beacon Journal:

“’Annie’ star shines on stage and off” (headline)

“9 year old from Pepper Pike just enjoys performing, and she’s winning hearts doing it” (subheadline)

 " 'It was apparent to me that Emma was wise beyond her years, and would be able to hold the stage in all the scenes with the adults as well as the other orphans,' said director Barry Ivan, regarding his decision to cast Emma as Annie."

 “You can’t fake the sort of felicity that radiates from 9-year-old Emma Wahl’s charismatic smile.”

 “Not one of those terrifyingly verbose child actors overburdened by detestable ‘stage parents,’ Emma is a bright and energetic girl being allowed to live out her dream.”

 “The character of Annie can’t be played by just any little girl.  The little orphan’s raw hopefulness and tomboy ease is so iconic that it can’t simply be acted out; it has to come from the personal charisma and naturalness owned by all the little girls that have ever really brought her to life, from Andrea McArdle to Sarah Jessica Parker.”

“Not a 20 year old in the body of a 9 year old, Emma’s adult-like poise and focus is well balanced by her playfulness and innocent ease.”

 “. . . [O]ne of the youngest to play Annie since the show debuted on Broadway in 1977.  Most actresses who play Annie (who is supposed to be 11 years old) are 13 or 14.”

From the ANNIE review in The Canton Repository:

 “Already a skilled actress at age 9, Emma Wahl plays Annie as a rough-and-tumble tomboy.  Her engaging performance is reminiscent of Tatum O’Neal’s in ‘Paper Moon.’”

From the ANNIE review in The Youngstown Vindicator:

 “Annie (9 year old Emma Wahl of Pepper Pike) didn’t miss a beat or a note, even when the pooch who played her stray dog Sandy wanted an extra treat during the finale of one of her numbers.”

From the ANNIE review in the Leader Publications:

 "Nine year old Emma Wahl (Annie) lives in Pepper Pike.  She sings well and dances with ease.  A believable and charming actress, she is not intimidated by the older, more experienced performers.  She holds her own and wins nothing but praise from the adults in the company.”

“I can’t imagine the pressure of being 7, 8 or 9 and being responsible for carrying a big musical production number before an audience of 800 people.  But the children in this cast do it with style, energy and abilities that should be the envy of adult actors.”

From the ANNIE review in The Hartville News:

“. . . Emma Wahl portrays the pint-sized little girl with brassy charisma and a voice to match, that fills the theatre in her opening number, ‘Maybe.’  Emma consistently brings admiration to the title role and inspires us all as she sings the signature song, ‘Tomorrow.’  She shares great chemistry with New York Actor Erik Nelson in the delightful duet  ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You.’  Their touching relationship sparkles on stage, leading up to a heart-warming finale and happy home for both Annie and Warbucks.”

From the ANNIE review in the North Coast Voice:

 “Annie is expertly played by Emma Wahl, a nine year old from Pepper Pike.  She sings well, and every word she utters is crystal clear.  It’s hard to realize that a nine year old girl could be so professional.”

“. . . a wonderfully talented Annie”

From the ANNIE review in The Suburbanite:

 “Leapin’ lizards, the Carousel Dinner Theatre has another hit on their plate. * * * This show works because of the tiny troupe headed by Emma Wahl as Annie.  Emma’s stage voice is a perfect pitch of little girl innocence, mixed with youthful optimism.”

“We especially enjoyed [NY actor Erik Nelson as Warbucks’] dance scene with little Emma.”

“Nelson’s weakness for Annie counterbalanced Emma’s own stage sweetness.”

From the ANNIE review in The Aurora Advocate:

“This young lady does a commendable job in a part that is usually given to girls ages 11 to 13.  I really would like to see her tackle this role when she is older, and has had more stage experience, since she’s this good already.”

From the RAGTIME review in The Free Times:

“Thoroughly professional efforts are turned in by child actors Emma Wahl and . . . “
 

From the RAGTIME review in the Cleveland Jewish News:

“No less enchanting is the adorable Emma Wahl, as Tateh’s daughter, The Little Girl.  Wahl, a fourth grader at Hawken School, packs both personality and talent in her diminutive frame.”
 

From the RAGTIME review in Cool Cleveland:

“Reasons to go:  a luminous Emma Wahl. . . .”