Press
The Other Place at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
“Pugh's intellect enhances every snippet of the show. Juliana is accustomed to being the smartest person in the room. She thinks nothing of unleashing a torrent of witty vitriol. But a moment later, Pugh's Juliana is wrapped in a sheath of frustration and regret so dense that it is agonizing to watch. It takes extraordinary acting agility to lead an audience through all this contradictory emotional mess. Pugh is up to every moment of it.” David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer read the full review
“I will say that there is a scene in which Pugh and Mengelkoch share a moment so touching, it caused me nearly to sob … this is a mesmerizing play with an astounding performance by Ms. Pugh.” Kirk Sheppard, The Sappy Critic Blog read the full review
Annapurna at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
“Parlato gives a fearless performance as a damaged man sliding down the slope, desperately striving to grab a hold of something meaningful.
Pugh’s portrait of Emma is more nuanced and impenetrable; it’s hard to imagine what has brought her back to him or why she would put up with his dissolute ways and bitter attitude. But these two fine actors also have the ability to allow an undertow of emotion that they cannot deny. What the future holds for them as the story winds down is not easy to imagine, but they seem to have achieved a kind of balance and peace, perhaps a taste of the nourishment that escaped them previously.” Rick Pender, City Beat read the full review
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Next Fall at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
“If you’ve seen these actors before (they’re regulars at ETC and elsewhere), you’ll be surprised. Under Meyers’ steady hand they are doing unexpected work, especially Cromer as an intolerant man, Pugh as a nervous, regretful woman and Clark as a humorless fellow who never drops his guard…. See this profoundly human show and you’ll be both moved and perplexed.” Rick Pender, City Beat read the full review
The Diary of Anne Frank at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
“Director Jeremy Dubin has assembled a brilliant cast to tell this story. The energetic Courtney Lucien plays Anne with the same doe-eyed wonder we’ve seen from her previous characters. One of my favorite actresses, Caitlyn McWethy, plays the shy, sweet Margo with restraint and patience while Regina Pugh embodies Edith Frank as much as anyone likely ever has. Barry Mulholland is Otto and brings maturity, gravity, and sincerity to the stage. The chemistry and love and honesty between all members of this family is unlike anything I’ve seen lately. Each well-defined personality shines through and it is a testament to the director and the cast that no one upstages anyone else. And given the quality of talent on this stage, that’s remarkable.” Kirk Sheppard, The Sappy Critic Blog read the full review
Silent Sky at Know Theatre of Cincinnati
“Lead actresses Fitzpatrick and Pugh take supporting roles here: Fitzpatrick is all prickly exterior covering a soft heart; Pugh (who wrapped Annapurna at Ensemble on April 10, talk about a quick turn-around) plays the stern Scot with a wicked sense of humor and lots of laugh lines.” Jackie Demaline, River City News read the full review
“Regina Pugh’s Williamina is side-splittingly funny but exists as more than simple comic relief—she is a friend, a survivor, and an astronomer in her own right.” Erica Minton, League of Cincinnati Theatres read the full review
The Other Place at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
“Pugh's intellect enhances every snippet of the show. Juliana is accustomed to being the smartest person in the room. She thinks nothing of unleashing a torrent of witty vitriol. But a moment later, Pugh's Juliana is wrapped in a sheath of frustration and regret so dense that it is agonizing to watch. It takes extraordinary acting agility to lead an audience through all this contradictory emotional mess. Pugh is up to every moment of it.” David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer read the full review
“I will say that there is a scene in which Pugh and Mengelkoch share a moment so touching, it caused me nearly to sob … this is a mesmerizing play with an astounding performance by Ms. Pugh.” Kirk Sheppard, The Sappy Critic Blog read the full review
Annapurna at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
“Parlato gives a fearless performance as a damaged man sliding down the slope, desperately striving to grab a hold of something meaningful.
Pugh’s portrait of Emma is more nuanced and impenetrable; it’s hard to imagine what has brought her back to him or why she would put up with his dissolute ways and bitter attitude. But these two fine actors also have the ability to allow an undertow of emotion that they cannot deny. What the future holds for them as the story winds down is not easy to imagine, but they seem to have achieved a kind of balance and peace, perhaps a taste of the nourishment that escaped them previously.” Rick Pender, City Beat read the full review
watch the Local 12 promo interview
Next Fall at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
“If you’ve seen these actors before (they’re regulars at ETC and elsewhere), you’ll be surprised. Under Meyers’ steady hand they are doing unexpected work, especially Cromer as an intolerant man, Pugh as a nervous, regretful woman and Clark as a humorless fellow who never drops his guard…. See this profoundly human show and you’ll be both moved and perplexed.” Rick Pender, City Beat read the full review
The Diary of Anne Frank at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
“Director Jeremy Dubin has assembled a brilliant cast to tell this story. The energetic Courtney Lucien plays Anne with the same doe-eyed wonder we’ve seen from her previous characters. One of my favorite actresses, Caitlyn McWethy, plays the shy, sweet Margo with restraint and patience while Regina Pugh embodies Edith Frank as much as anyone likely ever has. Barry Mulholland is Otto and brings maturity, gravity, and sincerity to the stage. The chemistry and love and honesty between all members of this family is unlike anything I’ve seen lately. Each well-defined personality shines through and it is a testament to the director and the cast that no one upstages anyone else. And given the quality of talent on this stage, that’s remarkable.” Kirk Sheppard, The Sappy Critic Blog read the full review
Silent Sky at Know Theatre of Cincinnati
“Lead actresses Fitzpatrick and Pugh take supporting roles here: Fitzpatrick is all prickly exterior covering a soft heart; Pugh (who wrapped Annapurna at Ensemble on April 10, talk about a quick turn-around) plays the stern Scot with a wicked sense of humor and lots of laugh lines.” Jackie Demaline, River City News read the full review
“Regina Pugh’s Williamina is side-splittingly funny but exists as more than simple comic relief—she is a friend, a survivor, and an astronomer in her own right.” Erica Minton, League of Cincinnati Theatres read the full review