Recent Reviews
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!
By Mo Willems, Deborah Wicks La Puma, & Tom Warburton, Directed by Penelope Caywood
"I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of puppetry in the production—and at how well the actors—especially Joseph Paul Branca as Pigeon, embraced the role of puppeteer. I have always been fascinated by the art of puppetry, and a basic rule of good puppetry is that the puppeteer, if visible, should be looking at what they want the audience to look at, which is usually the puppet itself. When a puppeteer’s focus is outside of the puppet, it is distracting, and confusing to the audience who is unsure whether they should be paying attention to the puppet or the puppeteer, creating a sort of two-headed and confusing visual character. This is the first time in a long time where I’ve seen this done right. Branca is a fantastic puppeteer. The skill with which he infuses the Pigeon puppet with emotion, humor and distinct vocalizations is captivating and I couldn’t take my eyes off the puppet... Branca’s emotive and powerful vocals as Pigeon are outstanding."
Jennifer Hoisington - Utah Theatre Bloggers Association
"Joseph Paul Branca (The Pigeon) doesn’t just play The Pigeon – he becomes The Pigeon. Branca reaches new heights in a career of superb performances as he captures the bird’s chaotic energy, comic timing, and complex sensitivity. With both hands involved in puppetry and exaggerated facial expressions that would make even an experienced cartoonist envious, his performance is a masterwork of physical comedy. Branca’s puppetry is seamless; he channels The Muppets with panache. Branca was born to play The Pigeon."
Jason & Alisha Hagey - Front Row Reviewers
SLAC's Summer Show: Close Encounters in the Beehive
By Olivia Custodio, Penelope Caywood, & David Knoell, Directed by Cynthia Fleming
" Joseph Paul Branca stood out as the alien Zeb, whose vocal characterization and singing paired with impeccable comic timing. His physicality is notable even as he maneuvers scene changes with an alien skulk in the half-light."
Jennifer Hoisington - Utah Theatre Bloggers Association
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
By Frank Loesser, Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, & Willie Gilbert, Directed by Jennifer Hill-Barlow
"Joseph Paul Branca had an innovative take on Bud Frump. The character is scheming and conniving — as he should be — but Branca added a layer of cattiness to Bud. This was a new performance choice that emphasized the jealousy that Bud had towards Finch. It is gratifying to see that a talented actor can still bring new ideas to a classic theatre role."
Russell Warne - President: Utah Theatre Bloggers Association
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens, Adapted by Bradley Moss, Richard Wilkins, & Cody Hale, Directed by Shawnda Moss
"My favorite scenes were those of young Scrooge (played by Joseph Paul Branca) and Belle (played by Ellie Mellen). These actors provided lovely moments of connection and intimacy, and I especially loved the chilling moment when Branca looks up at Mellon from his desk as she faces him after dancing."
D. M. Ellis - Utah Theatre Bloggers Association
Sleepy Hollow The Musical
Adapted By Jim Christian, Directed by Jim Christian
"The couple’s best friends are Faas and Rosalie Brinkerhoff (Joseph Paul Branca and Morgan Fenner), orphaned young adult siblings with a lightly mischievous and endearing energy. Faas’s teasing nature is tempered by his thoughtful attention to Rosalie, and Rosalie’s bluntness is lightened by her fear of the curse and her friendship with Katrina. Both phenomenal performers, Branca and Fenner become audience favorites as they embrace their roles with an energy that lifts the whole show."
Jason & Alisha Hagey - Front Row Reviewers
The Foreigner
By Larry Shue, Directed by Bruce Craven
"Leading the cast is Joseph Paul Branca as Charlie. Branca is an expert at showing character growth, and his Charlie organically changes from an anxious, mousy man into a confident leader. Branca has comedic talent to spare, and every joke he delivered landed perfectly."
Russell Warne - President: Utah Theatre Bloggers Association
SLACabaret: Down the Rabbit Hole:
By Olivia Custodio, Emilio Casillas, and Michael Leavitt, Directed by Cynthia Fleming
"As Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Danny Borba (Ryker), and Joseph Paul Branca (Stryker) are an electric pairing. Their characters feel like the best friends they say they are. They deliver every line with perfect impetuous naiveté and sincerity. They have the talent and the pizzazz to put on a show all on their own. They would make a fascinating interpretation of Vladimir and Estragon in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot."
Jason & Alisha Hagey - Front Row Reviewers
Pete the Cat
By Sarah Hammond, and James Dean, Directed by Penelope Caywood
"Pete the Cat was contrasted nicely with Jimmy, played by Joseph Paul Branca. Jimmy is a perfectionist in the form of a second grader. Jimmy worries very much about his academics and being neat and orderly. He and Pete are an unlikely combo who end up best friends. Branca did extremely well at being believable in his role. Branca’s upright posture made Jimmy seem rigid in his perfectionism, while his quick movements kept him childlike. I think Jimmy would have been pleased with Branca’s perfect performance."
Darby Turnbow - Utah Theatre Bloggers Association
"Rounding out the ensemble is Joseph Paul Branca as Jimmy, the wise, eldest brother of the family whose misdeeds under pressure in his second-grade class drive the plot of the show. Branca is flexible both in the scope of his character’s emotions and in the physical positions he gets himself in while performing. Most of us most closely identify with Jimmy in this show, children and adults alike, and Branca carries this responsibility with a developed and competent enthusiasm."