Kevin will return to Joe's Pub
Feb. 7th with a new
Classic Whitney: The Season of Love Show,
just in time for Valentine's Day.
Click here for more information. |
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Kevin is currently performing in the
Off Broadway return of
Kinky Boots the Musical
to rave reviews.
The show will close on November 20th.
Click here for more information. |
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Kevin recently performed the role of Victor in the
Fulton Theater's production of
Smokey Joe's Cafe to rave reviews! |
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Kevin recently directed and choreographed
a production of the Fats Waller Musical 'Ain't Misbehavin'
at the Hillbarn Theatre in Foster City, CA.
Click here to read the rave reviews!
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Kevin recently did an in-depth interview called
'Checking in With...'
for Playbill.com supporting the
2021 Night of A Thousand Judys Concert
benefitting the Ali Forney Center.
Click here to read the interview!
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| BRIAN SCOTT LIPTON / CITITOUR: |
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'As would be expected, Mitchell’s athletic, energetic choreography – especially as executed by his amazing “Angels” (including original cast member Kevin Smith Kirkwood) -- also earns it rightful share of oohs and aahs.' |
| JONATHAN MANDELL / NEW YORK THEATER: |
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'The cast is otherwise just as big as on Broadway, and many in the new cast perform just as well (in roles that generally require more vocal power and dexterity than acting chops.) Two are even holdovers: Marcus Neville is reprising his role as George, the formal factory manager, and Kevin Smith Kirkwood remains formidable as one of Lola’s drag Angels.' |
| JASON DAVIS / BROADWAY WORLD: |
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'From the very beginning, it is clear that the quartet of Shawn Bowers, Randy Jeter, Kamal Lado, and Kevin Smith Kirkwood are the ones to watch. Their gorgeous harmonies and fantastic moves highlighted throughout the program were spot on and great fun.' |
| JASON DAVIS / BROADWAY WORLD: |
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'...it was Kevin Smith Kirkwood and his rendition of "I (Who Have Nothing)" that stole the show.' |
| STEPHEN MOSHER / BROADWAY WORLD: |
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'Kevin Smith Kirkwood onstage bringing Whitney to the people once more is the best Christmas present in town, because it isn't just a tribute show, and it isn't just a Christmas show, and it isn't just a drag show, it's all three and, somehow, a little bit more...' |
| TROY FRISBY / BROADWAY WORLD: |
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'Nothing could top his thrilling take on "I Will Always Love You." Even if it had ended in disaster, opening one of the most vocally challenging songs imaginable a cappella is the definition of gutsy. But Kirkwood came through each step of the way, earning every bit of the standing ovation he received.' |
| JOSEPH MYERS / WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS: |
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'To say that Kevin Smith Kirkwood dazzled as Whitney Houston would be an understatement — it was impossible to take your eyes off of him. Even if you are a novice Whitney fan who may not know every song or reference made, Kirkwood is so charming and enchanting that it does not matter. There's a certain charisma that Kirkwood possesses that straddles the line between himself and Whitney that charms the audience as both performers. When Kirkwood performed "I Will Always Love You," there was not a person in the theater who was not on their feet; Kirkwood breathed so much life into this classic favorite while staying true to how Whitney performed it, creating an exhilarating and moving performance.' |
| MELISSA BRAVERMAN / NEW YORK CITY GAL: |
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"That Kevin not only loved the late, great Miss Houston but has studied her most memorable performances is apparent throughout his 90-minute set. He infuses his soulful singing with Whitney's distinctive mannerisms and on-stage banter telling her story. Having had the great good fortune of seeing Whitney at the height of her career in 1993, I can honestly say that Kevin becomes the very essence of her during the show. With his powerful pipes and glamorous fits-like-a-glove costume changes—and brilliant support from Musical Director Drew Wutke– Kevin transcends impersonation and makes you forget you're not actually watching Whitney." |
| COURTNEY SYMES / BROADWAY WORLD: |
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"Not surprisingly, the humble Scarecrow is the one who steals our hearts. His rousing 'I Was Born on the Day Before Yesterday' kicks off the energy of the show and is immediately followed by the song we all know and love, 'Ease on Down the Road.'" |
| MICHAEL P COLEMAN / SAC CULTURAL HUB: |
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"Don’t miss Kevin Smith Kirkwood’s homage to Michael Jackson, who preceded him as a Wiz Scarecrow. 'Everybody Rejoice' and 'Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News' will also have you on your feet." |
| JENNIFER GAY / SUITE101.COM TORONTO: |
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'Kevin Smith Kirkwood, known for multiple Off-Broadway titles, did an outstanding job playing multiple roles, but most notably as Mitch Mahoney the "Comfort Councilor" on parole who is always handy with a juicebox for losing contestants in the Spelling Bee'. |
| TONY BROWN / CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER: |
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'And as the recently paroled hoodie doing community service by assisting the bee, Kevin Smith Kirkwood blows the house down with his vocal prowess.' |
| TONY LOFARO / THE OTTAWA CITIZEN.COM: |
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'The one cool dude in the gym is Kevin Smith Kirkwood, playing Mitch Mahoney, the spelling bee's 'comfort counsellor' who provides hugs and juice boxes to the eliminated contestants. He is sharp, funny and sings beautifully when called upon in some of the musical numbers.' |
| EVERETT EVANS / HOUSTON CHRONICLE: |
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'Kevin Smith Kirkwood make a strong-voiced, worldly Mitch, the ex-con doing his community service as "comfort counselor" providing hugs and boxes of juice to contestants as they're disqualified.' |
| CHANNING GRAY / PROVIDECE JOURNAL: |
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'Kevin Smith Kirkwood, who doubles as Mitch Mahoney, the hugging juice-box giver, added sweet tenor lines. Kirkwood got into more of a bluesy soul mode when singing farewell to contestants.' |
| PETER MARKS / WASHINGTON POST: |
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'…to the tough-love bedside manner of the "comfort counselor" (the equally funny Kevin Smith Kirkwood), an ex-con who consoles girls knocked out of the bee with a tad more, um, dedication.' |
| MISSY FREDERICK / DCIST.COM: |
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'The cast is energized by the presence of the big-voiced Kevin Smith Kirkwood (who, as it happens, I remember as my classmate performing in Fordham University's production of Jesus Christ Superstar) takes on a handful of supporting roles, most hilarious as the enforcer-like Mitch Mahoney, who has comforting and scolding bee participants as his court-mandated community service.' |
| CLASSICAL VOICE OF NORTH CAROLINA: |
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'…and Kevin Smith Kirkwood add sharply etched comic characterizations as the three grownup oddballs in the cast: and Kirkwood is a really smooth operator who has a reassuring smile that gets thinner and tighter as the evening wears on.' |
| CARRIE T. TRUMAN / APPLETON POST: |
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'Her trio with Ray and Kevin Smith Kirkwood (Mitch Mahoney) is one of the best numbers in the show. Kirkwood has a wonderful number that breaks into gospel stylings. He holds his own and wails the number as the rest of the ensemble backs him up. Kirkwood has a great presence.' |
| ANITA GATES / NEW YORK TIMES: |
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'Miles is followed by his own Greek chorus who sometimes morph into other characters. Mr. Kirkwood is fabulous in drag as Bonquisha, who answers the phone at the office of Homeland Security. Mr. Kirkwood also briefly plays Condoleeza Rice. Other great moments include…the gospel number save the people.' |
| ERIN McCLAM / ASSOCIATED PRESS: |
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'It is certainly a show with its moments, and perhaps the biggest audience favorite isn't even a main character: Kevin Smith Kirkwood earns huge laughs as a Homeland Security operator and, later, as Condoleeza Rice.' |
| LISA FERBER / NYTHEATRE.COM: |
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'The show employs a kind of Greek chorus, who have an adorable presence. The cast sings well, in particular Kirkwood (who can elongate notes in the gospel tradition to the point where one just watches and listens thinking, wow).' |
| ADAM FELDMAN / TIME OUT NY: |
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'The production features game work from director/choreographer Christopher Gatelli and solid performances by the winsome Larsen and, in sassy drag, Kevin Smith Kirkwood.' |
| SHOW BUSINESS WEEKLY: |
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'…Madcap action ensues, accompanied by handfuls of hilarity, thanks mostly to the hardworking, multi-tasking Greek chorus… the wise cracking ensemble—led by the acrobatic voiced Kirkwood—brings down the house in a pseudo-gospel production number.' |
| NEIL GENZLINGER / NEW YORK TIMES: |
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'It's Karate, Kid! A musical raunchfest, which is rattling windows on the lower east side… Daniel-San gets some odd karate lessons from Mr. Miyagi (Kevin Smith Kirkwood, who is hilarious). One spectacular song, "Wax On, Wax Off," deserves to become a dance craze.' |
| CHRISTINE DOLEN / MIAMI HERALD: |
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'…Each is a vocal powerhouse so the four can sound like a mini-multitude. Yet each actor has subtlety as well as strength… Kirkwood gets the thrilling act one closer, The Steam Train, a song in which a guy from a tumultuous background swaggeringly declares his intention to become a famous basketball player. Moving swiftly and quickly, Kirkwood leaves no doubt that this guy has the will to overcome. He plays that mans antithesis in King of the World, a song of defiance and defeat from a guy who had and lost it all.' |
| KERRY CLAWSON / AKRON BEACON JOURNAL: |
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'Kevin Smith Kirkwood also excels as both Johnny Casino and Teen Angel, a role that he gives plenty of soul. Other high points include…the fun loving Born to Handjive.' |
| DAVID RITCHEY / AKRON LEADER: |
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'One of the best scenes in this production is the "Beauty School Dropout" number. In this scene Frenchy wishes for a guardian angel. He does appear, but he's a Teen Angel (Kevin Smith Kirkwood). With a big pompadour in the style of Little Richard and dressed in a sparkling white costume (he is an angel after all), Kirkwood stops the show with his homage to the black singers of the 1950's. This scene alone is worth the price of admission. |
| DAVE FORD / SAN FRANCISCON CHRONICLE: |
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'Oy Vey In a Manger' includes Kirkwood's astonishing Whitney Houston-ish star turn in "I Will Always Love Booze" (sung to the tune of Houston's noxious "I Will Always Love You").' |
| RON COHEN / BACKSTAGE MAGAZINE: |
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'Kevin Smith Kirkwood makes the conflicted Negress an appealing character, gaining points for his singing and hip-swiveling dancing.' |
| MATT PRESSMAN / VANITYFAIR.COM: |
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'...while plotting to bring down our hero, Br'er Negress (Kevin Smith Kirkwood, who also co-created the show and co-wrote the music). The climactic scene is a hilarious dance-off between McGuffin and Br'er Negress. Unlike some of the shows that play on Theater Row, Dial N for Negress is not a cut-rate production by any means. It's an original concept with snappy writing (the book and lyrics are by Travis Kramer), a lively funk score (by Kirkwood and Tom Oster), a talented 12-person cast, and perfect period costumes (they could have been leftovers from the Ben Stiller-Owen Wilson Starsky & Hutch).' |
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