ESPRESSO





THINKING THEATRE NYC — Review

https://www.thinkingtheaternyc.com/2025/03/review-truth-be-told-probes-seductive.html

“Ravera's Jo can be hard, especially when she feels compelled to defend victimized women or, less nobly, the exclusivity built into her book contract, but she also reveals at times her own reservoir of guilt and uncertainty linked to motherhood.”

“ “ Truth be told” Probes the Seductive Force of Denial”


OFF OFF ONLINE — Review

https://www.offoffonline.com/offoffonline/2025/2/17/truth-be-told

“The acting is excellent. Ravera plays Jo with quiet determination and genuine compassion”

“ Truth be Told is not a feel-good play. But it does challenge one’s understanding of justice, media influence, and truth itself.”

“Directed by Kim T. Sharp, and sensitively performed by Francesca Ravera and Michelle Park, this searing psychological drama invites one to confront the elusive nature of truth.”


VERA HUNT — Review

https://verahunt.substack.com/p/a-tale-of-two-plays-one-gripping

“Ravera, for her part, is an absolute powerhouse on stage — sharp, probing, layered”

“Directed with quiet precision by Kim T. Sharp, Truth Be Told is one of those plays that stays with you long after the curtain comes down. It’s an intimate, deeply emotional two-hander about grief, trauma, and the slipperiness of truth in an age where facts are constantly under siege.”

“Francesca Ravera and Michelle Park absolutely own this story.”

Truth Be Told is exactly the kind of theatre that reminds you why live storytelling matters.”





IL MESSAGGERO

 
 

IL TEMPO


CORRIERE DELLA SERA


IL SECOLO XIX


LATINA OGGI


LA STAMPA


CORRIERE DI CHIERI


LA REPUBBLICA


ARTISTS AND BADS — June 2024 — REVIEW

“…brilliant Francesca Ravera. She excels at bringing emotions to life on her face, rendering the verbal and expressive rhythm natural and spontaneous with a precision that is perhaps the most difficult aspect to calibrate for an actor, especially in a highly stylized reality like this one. These emotions, so vividly portrayed, become the only source of color, standing out starkly against a backdrop of grays, blacks, and whites—typical of a society where every emotional nuance and empathetic connection has been almost entirely eradicated, reduced to mere formality.”

“This play by Garret Jon Groenveld is staged in its original language with Italian subtitles, brought to life with great effectiveness by Kim T. Sharp. He orchestrates the dense and complex interactions between the two protagonists with relentless pacing, using music and lighting to emphasize the deliberately metaphysical atmosphere of this dystopian reality.
The resulting world is that of the Hummingbirds, condemned to endless, exhausting, and alienating movement, where no human being has a say in choosing their own fulfillment through work. Instead, they are merely obligated to perform the job assigned to them by an employment office that relentlessly churns out tasks and obligations for those who have lost their previous positions.”

“The play raises highly relevant reflections on the increasingly fleeting nature of human relationships—interactions that merely graze rather than truly meet, self-assertion over moments of listening and discovery, a perverse curiosity devoid of empathy, reluctance rather than openness.”

https://www.artistsandbands.org/ver2/recensioni/teatro-e-altre-tendenze/11451-bufera-a-domicilio-roma-teatro-de-servi-dal-26-maggio-al-02-giugno-2024


QUARTA PARETE ROMA — June 2024 — REVIEW

“The performance of the actors is very interesting and effective, consistently believable, making everything seem to unfold very naturally.”

“It is a reflection of society that almost recalls the dystopian context described by George Orwell in 1984, which portrays a society like Big Brother that knows everything about others, sucking the souls of people, automatically activating a sense of control over them.
Here, the production is entirely American: it debuted last April at the Chain Theatre in Manhattan. The Hummingbirds won the Global Age Project 2012, the Global Playwriting International Award 2012, and debuted in 2022 at New Jersey Rep. It has toured many parts of Europe, and the next stop will be northern Italy.”

“What makes this production unique is the linguistic choice of performing in English with Italian and English subtitles, which are rare in the Roman theater scene.”

https://www.quartapareteroma.it/ordinary-life/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0-kpBWrj6BU-KE6kHrUTC1lvmjzDg3Y3o3WwKneyt0PR2O7m5zjF17KF0_aem_q9r6bfK5wj54Ue4zTLQCRQ


CORRIERE SPETTACOLO — June 2024 — REVIEW

“masterful progressive divergence in the performances of the two protagonists.”

https://www.corrierespettacolo.it/prostituzione-disoccupazione-e-colibri/



TORINO TODAY — June 2024

https://amp.torinotoday.it/eventi/the-hummingbirds-francesca-ravera-teatro-astra-26-27-giugno.html

TORINO OGGI — June 2024

https://www.torinoggi.it/2024/06/22/amp/argomenti/eventi-11/articolo/teatro-la-torinese-francesca-ravera-porta-in-scena-una-commedia-drammatica-sul-lavoro-e-sul-suo-pro.html

OGGI ROMA — June 2024

https://www.oggiroma.it/eventi/spettacoli/the-hummingbirds/77571/

POLITICAMENTE CORRETTO — July 2024

https://www.politicamentecorretto.com/2024/07/01/the-hummingbirds-la-commedia-drammatica-di-garret-jon-groenveld-con-francesca-ravera-e-la-regia-di-kimt-2/

OLTRE LE COLONNE — June 2024

https://www.oltrelecolonne.it/the-hummingbirds-la-commedia-drammatica-di-garret-jon-groenveld-debutta-in-prima-nazionale-al-teatro-belli-di-roma/

RADIO ROMA CAPITALE — June 2024

https://www.radioromacapitale.it/articolo/the-hummingbirds-la-commedia-drammatica-di-garret-jon-groenveld-per-la-prima-volta-va-in-scena-dal-19-al-22-giugno-al-teatro-belli/

CONTRO LUCE — June 2024

https://www.controluce.it/debutta-in-prima-nazionale-the-hummingbirds-la-commedia-drammatica-di-garret-jon-groenveld-con-francesca-ravera-e-la-regia-di-kimt-sharp-dal-19-al-22-giugno-al-teatro-belli-roma/

ROMA DAILY NEWS — June 2024

https://www.romadailynews.it/eventi/debutta-in-prima-nazionale-the-hummingbirds-con-la-regia-di-kim-t-sharp-dal-19-al-22-giugno-al-teatro-belli-0810760/

MEDDI MAGAZINE — June 2024

https://www.meddimagazine.info/IT/TeatroLanci/8216/Debutta_in_prima_nazionale_The_Hummingbirds_la_commedia_drammatica_di_Garret_Jon_Groenveld_con_Francesca_Ravera_e_la_regia_di_KimT_Sharp_dal_19_al_22_giugno_al_Teatro_Belli-Roma

LA FOLLA — June 2024

https://www.lafolla.it/archivio/page.php?w=28266

UNFOLDING ROMA — June 2024

https://www.unfoldingroma.com/cultura/22633/the-hummingbirds-al-teatro-belli-di-roma/

MONOLITE NOTIZIE — June 2024

https://www.monolitenotizie.it/roma-e-provincia/debutta-in-italia-the-hummingbirds-commedia-distopica-sul-lavoro-regia-di-garret-jon-groenveld/

PROGETTO ITALIA NEWS — June 2024

https://www.progettoitalianews.net/news/debutta-in-prima-nazionale-the-hummingbirds-la-commedia-drammatica-di-garret-jon-groenveld-con-francesca-ravera-e-la-regia-di-kimt-sharp-dal-19-al-22-giugno-al-teatro-belli-roma/

CORRIERE NAZIONALE — June 2024

https://www.corrierenazionale.it/2024/06/19/debutta-in-prima-nazionale-al-teatro-belli-the-hummingbirds/

LEGGO — June 2024

https://www.leggo.it/schede/weekend_roma_eventi_concerti_teatro_cinema_appuntamenti_oggi_21_6_2024-weekend_a_roma_ultimo_e_venditti_sold_out_zero_assoluto_a_capannelle._e_al_colosseo_torna_per_cantare_il_gladiatore_russel_crowe_3-3-8195540.html

OLTRE LE COLONNE — June 2024

https://www.oltrelecolonne.it/the-hummingbirds-la-commedia-drammatica-di-garret-jon-groenveld-con-francesca-ravera-e-la-regia-di-kimt-sharp-approda-a-torino-al-teatro-astra

100 TORRI — June 2024

https://www.100torri.it/2024/06/24/a-teatro-in-scena-a-torino-savigliano-monforte-dalba-saluzzo-acqui-terme-moncalieri/

TORINO MAGAZINE —June 2024

https://www.torinomagazine.it/eventi/commedia-drammatica-the-hummingbirds-garret-jon-groenveld-teatro-astra-torino/

MENTELOCALE TORINO — June 2024

https://www.mentelocale.it/torino/52971-the-hummingbirds.htm

TI CRONOMETRO — June 2024

https://ticronometro.com/wp/2024/06/notizie-rss/da-torino/the-hummingbirds-sul-palco-del-teatro-astra-lattrice-torinese-francesca-ravera/

EXPARTIBUS — June 2024

https://www.expartibus.it/the-hummingbirds-al-teatro-astra/amp/

CORRIERE NAZIONALE — June 2024

https://www.corrierenazionale.it/2024/06/26/the-hummingbirds-arriva-al-teatro-astra-di-torino/

MEDDI MAGAZINE — June 2024

https://www.meddimagazine.info/IT/TeatroLanci/8249/Approda_a_Torino_The_Hummingbirds_la_commedia_drammatica_di_Garret_Jon_Groenveld_con_Francesca_Ravera_e_la_regia_di_KimT_Sharp_il_26_e_27_giugno_al_Teatro_Astra

LA FOLLA — July 2024

https://www.lafolla.it/archivio/page.php?w=28374

TORINO CRONACA — June 2024

https://torinocronaca.it/evento/tempo-libero/343527/the-hummingbirds-lo-spettacolo-con-francesca-ravera-in-scena-al-teatro-astra.html



MANUAL MAGAZINES — May 2024 — Review

“Francesca Ravera delivers a riveting performance as a counselor who begins to unravel emotionally following a terrorist attack on a nearby establishment. Her journey culminates in a powerful monologue, where she laments the loss of a safer, freer world, contrasting starkly with the present dystopia. Ravera’s ability to convey deep pain, nostalgia, and grief is nothing short of captivating, making her character’s transformation one of the play’s most poignant aspects.”

https://manualmagazines.com/review-of-the-hummingbirds/




IL SECOLO XIX — June 2022


IL TEMPO — May 2022


LA REPUBBLICA — May 2022


CORRIERE DI CHIERI — July 2022


CRONACA QUI TORINO — June 2022





THINKING THEATER NYC — April 2022 — review

“Ravera and Chinworth deliver dazzling performances.”

“captivating and impactful”

“make this a universe in which you decide to see this marvelous production.”

Full article https://www.thinkingtheaternyc.com/2022/04/review-stellar-constellations.html


LA VOCE DI NEW YORK — APRIL 2022—REVIEW

“Shining stars Francesca Ravera and Michael Chinworth sparkle on the stage at the Gene Frankel Theatre”

“Francesca Ravera has ‘constellations’ in her eyes, that cut through the darkness with all of their powerful intensity, you can’t miss them, you won’t forget them.”

“Go see it if you are thirsty with wonder.”

full article https://lavocedinewyork.com/en/arts/2022/04/18/constellations-brings-freshness-buoyant-youth-and-new-life-to-the-british-play/



CORRIERE DI CHIERI—November, 2021—interview



LA VOCE DI NEW YORK—September, 2021—review

“As per Una, Ravera is impressive in swiftly moving her character from childlike naivety, to prepubescent romanticism; from restlessness to distress. Her body on stage performs, rather than just recounting, the inevitable consequences of Peter’s misdeeds. Further, Ravera’s diligent deliveries manage for some dry humour to cut through the negative affect of the play.”

Full review: https://www.lavocedinewyork.com/en/arts/2021/09/19/blackbird-at-the-new-ohio-theater-reckoning-with-trauma-and-its-aftermath/?fbclid=IwAR3L_UDJbyY7dqlfFW1Yb1rG20gqUawJ9JIsTusCoRmD2x_bpTXv1nIEVlY


THEATER THAT MATTERS—SEPTEMBER, 2021, review

“Ravera seems to have truly connected with Una (…) Her pain and yearning are palpable, which draws the audience to her and brings some sense of reality to the piece. Her vulnerability,her greatest strength, and her need for Ray are tangible which allows us to identify with her struggles well.”

Full review https://theaterthatmatters.com/2021/09/24/blackbird-soars-almost/


TALKIN’ BROADWAY—September, 2021—review

“thoughtfully directed and grippingly performed”

“mounted with a level of original thinking and professionalism that many a Broadway production would do well to emulate.”

Full review: https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/ob/09_16_21.html?fbclid=IwAR0PK-EoOhcDr8XXCaDaZh-nrfkDW9ngpxB5h1aR749Pf21M4NaHI1DHYHo




JOLI EN STYLE MAGAZINE— October, 2019

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THE INDEPENDENT CRITIC — August, 2019

Review of Claire

“Still relatively early in its indie festival run, the 13-minute short film Claire has already picked up a slew of festival awards with several recognizing the fine work of Francesca Ravera in the title role of Claire, whose actions throughout the film exude a sort of mysterious remembrance and sense of melancholy.”

Full review here: https://theindependentcritic.com/claire

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THE 730 REVIEW — August, 2019

Review of Espresso

“CUE: A COLLECTIVE JAW DROP. SHE’S GOT COJONES”

“COSMIC CHEMISTRY OF THE TWO ACTORS: A DUET OF THE DIVINE”

“The intrinsic intimacy of the story evolving in real-time never falters, as both actor and actress are not afraid to play in this play, enjoying themselves in the script’s effortless poeticism. It is a delightful dramatic manifestation of what the Italians themselves coined as sprezzatura: studied elegance, careful grace, the smartest and sexiest kind of conscious finesse that champions the connection between the playwright’s mind, the actor’s body, and the character’s soul, thoughts, words, and dreams.”

Full review here: https://www.the730review.co.uk/2019/08/07/espresso-nyc-urban-stages-premiere/


BROADWAYWORLD — August, 2019

Francesca Ravera announced to star in NYC premiere of Espresso

“The play follows Rosa Dolores, a first generation Canadian, and her Italian family, in a complex story that explores the relationship of Christianity and sexuality. Ravera will take on the lead role of Rosa, as well as the roles of Nonna and Cinzella, as the story of her family is told from Rosa's perspective. Sharing in the narration of the story alongside Rosa is Amante (Jesse Koehler), who serves as both the Holy Spirit and a symbol of Eros.”

Full article here: https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Actress-Francesca-Ravera-Stars-In-NYC-Premiere-Of-ESPRESSO-20190730


THEATER MANIA — August, 2019

Cast announced for NYC Premiere of Lucia Frangione’s Espresso

https://www.theatermania.com/shows/new-york-city-theater/off-broadway/espresso_330310

Also featured on

STAGEBUDDY

https://stagebuddy.com/event/espresso

CITY GUIDE NY

https://www.cityguideny.com/event/Urban-Stages--2019-08-05-2019-08-05


TG News — June, 2019

Francesca Ravera interviewed by Marzia De Giuli


TEATRI ONLINE — June 2019

Italian Tour of The Way We Get By

Full article https://www.teatrionline.com/2019/06/the-way-we-get-by/


Broadwayworld, Francesca Ravera announced to lead in European Tour of The Way We Get By

“Following a very successful run at New York City's Urban Stages, in the spring of 2019, the enthusiasm that ensued from the public and critics earned The Way We Get By an Italian tour, with performances in Turin, Genoa and Milan.”

“The play, written by American playwright Neil LaBute will be performed in English . 'I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to bring this play to an Italian audience - Ravera says - I believe that representing the work of an American author in its original language, featuring characters and a vocabulary that are typically American, offers the audience an interesting and enriching experience.' “

Full Article here: https://www.broadwayworld.com/italy/article/Italian-Actress-Francesca-Ravera-To-Lead-In-European-Tour-Of-THE-WAY-WE-GET-BY-20190616


Rome Prisma Film Award

“This short film makes you feel exactly this way, doing it with a cold cinematography, a slow-paced rhythm through the very beautiful face of the leading actress Francesca Ravera, that is really able to portray a complex psychological character.”

Full review here: https://www.romeprismafilmawards.com/2019/05/11/claire-by-andrea-silvestro/

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Merinenews.com

“The versatile, gifted Ravera's natural talent and hard-earned dramatic skills allow her to move effortlessly between stage and screen, an ability that steadily enhances her already formidable professional reputation.”

Full article: http://www.merinews.com/article/actor-francesca-ravera-combines-classic-style-and-bold-experimentation/15935118.shtml


La voe di New York

“there is a stinging revelation from Ravera’s Beth that she skillfully conveys in her acting which ranges from youthful language to a young woman on the path to maturity.”

“fine acting with superb comic and dramatic timing from Ravera.”

Full review here: https://www.lavocedinewyork.com/en/arts/2019/04/11/when-love-disappoints-you-the-way-we-get-by/

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Local Theatre NY

“Beth (played by Ravera) is sassy, sexy, and full of enthusiasm as the coy young woman that has just bedded Doug.”

“As Beth, Ravera pulls all the stops. Her performance is natural, very believable, with a sweet mix of vulnerability and strength that is perfect for this character.”

Full review here: https://www.localtheatreny.com/single-post/2019/04/15/THE-WAY-WE-GET-BY-is-a-Solid-Show-at-Urban-Stages



Eljnyc

“Entertaining!”

Read full review: http://www.eljnyc.com/offbway.html


La Voce di New York, Francesca Ravera announced to star in The way we get by

Full article here: https://www.lavocedinewyork.com/events/italian-actress-francesca-ravera-stars-in-neil-labutes-the-way-we-get-by/

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BROADWAY WORLD, cast announced for The Way we get by

Full article here: https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/THE-WAY-WE-GET-BY-Comes-to-Urban-Stages-20190317

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STAGE BUDDY

Full article here: https://stagebuddy.com/event/the-way-we-get-by


MEDIUM.COM interview

“Since making the previously challenging decision to follow her dreams, actress Francesca Ravera has been well rewarded, and in little to no time at all she’s become a known figure on both the stage and screen. Over that last year she has come to amass an impressive body of work that spans the stage and screen.”

“Andrea Zirio, who co-wrote and produced the film, explains, “We were in the preproduction stage and we were looking to complete the cast but we couldn’t find any good actress to fit the role of Scilla. Finally we heard about Francesca, a young girl perfect for the role… We asked her for a self tape audition and we were very impressed by her performance. We decided to take her right away… we made an excellent choice.””

“With several acclaimed projects under her belt, and many more in the works, it is clear that following her dreams has paid off for talented actress Francesca Ravera.”

Full interview: https://medium.com/@portialeigh1/fueled-by-a-dream-italian-actress-francesca-ravera-5add75100ea7


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La Repubblica, interview


F magazine, interview


LA STAMPA on Francesca starring role in Creature of The Night

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MEDIUM, interview to Francesca Ravera

“Whether appearing on stage or screen, Francesca Ravera was always destined to be an actor. An accomplished player whose recent theatrical work in New York has established her as a significant force to be reckoned with, Ravera brings a profound depth of commitment and creativity to every role she plays.”

“This appealing, highly valuable quality typifies Ravera’s work, as ‘Two Rooms’ director André Vauthey explains: “As the lead actress, her role [Lainie] required great depth and a huge emotional range, as well as being able to carry the entire play. Francesca surprised me by her range of emotions, sensitivity and yet strength to really hold the play together. She was outstanding in her performance. It is really rare to work with someone who can be sensitive, fragile and emotionally available and still be strong enough to carry the whole show on her shoulders.””

Full article https://medium.com/@jwhitesidelaweekly/actor-francesa-ravera-excels-on-stage-and-screen-a1fb792e43f9


LOCAL THEATRE NY Interview about Francesca’s leading role in The Nina Variations

Full interview: https://www.localtheatreny.com/single-post/2018/12/06/THE-NINA-VARIATIONS-POSES-UNIQUE-ACTING-CHALLENGES


LOCAL THEATRE NY

Review of The Nina Variations

“What happens to the characters with each transition is clear, entertaining, and clever. Every actor should see this play.”

Full review: https://www.localtheatreny.com/single-post/2018/12/06/THE-NINA-VARIATIONS-POSES-UNIQUE-ACTING-CHALLENGES


BROADWAY WORLD, Cast announced for The Nina Variaitons

Full article: https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/regional/The-Nina-Variations-272841

Also featured on

STAGE BUDDY

Full article: https://stagebuddy.com/event/the-nina-variations



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LA STAMPA, interview

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TORINO TODAY, Announced Cast for Ulysses: a Dark Odyssey

Full article: http://www.torinotoday.it/cronaca/riprese-film-odissea-torino-ulysses-dark-odissey-.html