“While it would be impossible to steal this ensemble piece, two actors come close: Matt Merchant (in a triple role that includes show stopping Myron Malachi) and Matt Walker (also in a triple role that includes Myron’s brother, Jumpy Malachi). The Malachi Brothers each have fabulously funny quirks (Myron sings Opera and Jumpy does a mean, if slightly mixed up, Macbeth). Merchant’s and Walker’s brilliant cameos are too good to disclose. These are the kind of performers that clearly live to be on the stage, and their all-out, larger-than-life, could-not-be-more-silly enthusiasm takes the production to some of its most soaring comic heights”
Brooks Applebaum, Onstage
“While not on the “star” list, Matt Merchant is particularly noticeable as Elvis and later as a tough guy wrestler. Merchant creates caricatures that don’t need to sing very well, but his voice is one of the best on stage.”
Shera Cohen, In The Spotlight
“Other standouts in this cast are Matt Merchant and Garth Kravits as the Malachi Brothers, Myron and Jumpy, the two bullies who are scheduled to wrestle Richie and Ralph at a benefit for Arnold’s. These two just about stop the show early in the second act with their paean to the art of being mean.”
Geary Danihy
“Most memorable is the rioutous scene in Arnold’s with the Malachi Brothers (Matt Merchant, Matt Walker). These guys, who later play Elvis and James Dean, are a scream, funny enough to warrant their own sitcom.”
Don Bourret, Reminder News
JULIUS WEEZER
“Matt Merchant’s Mark Antony is a strapping, strutting BMOC who, in a wry bit of interpolation, is already shacked up with Cleopatra”
Daryl H. Miller, L.A. Times
“The Broadway-caliber triple-threat actor/singer/dancers have always astounded but they really nail the Shakespearean dialogue this time.”
Joan Alperin, Stage and Cinema
“AUDIENCE ALERT: Listen very carefully, since the laughter may drown out some of the best lines.”
Elaine Mura, Splash Magazines
AS U2 LIKE IT
“A fusion of discipline and showmanship distinguishes this outing, the wildest curveball somehow within the Bard’s orbit. Breanna Pine’s piquant Rosalind and Matt Merchant’s statuesque Orlando are so correct in quality that they could play their roles sans schtick or songs. Indeed, the U2 numbers seem almost superfluous, except that their cumulative effect serves the freewheeling ethos of Christine Lakin’s pert choreography, not to mention the storytelling.”
David C. Nichols, L.A. Times
“Merchant is appropriately heroic as Orlando, but is also charmingly goofy in his pursuit of Rosalind”
Terry Morgan, Variety
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
“Matt Merchant almost steals the show from the veteran comics already mentioned with his perfect portrayal of the vainglorious Roman soldier, Miles Gloriosus, who is so pompous, that in his song "Bring Me My Bride" he pronounces, "I am a parade!" Merchant gets the award for the best pratfall in the show, which is so astonishingly natural that it had the audience gasping in delight. His cartoonish portrayal of Gloriosus is in the grandest tradition of other egocentric, biceps-kissing brutes that include Gaston in Beauty and the Beast.”
Cary Ginell, Broadway World
“and the blustering warrior Miles Gloriosus (Matt Merchant, easily towering over the cast in both stature and performance).”
Tony Frankel, Stage and Cinema
“Matt Merchant has the mixture of size and grace needed to be the Beast, and sings with a conviction which makes his sorrowful “If I Can’t Love Her” one of the truly memorable moments in the production.”
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin