“Gabriel di Gennaro makes a most engaging Johnny. He delivers the long stretches of spoken dialogue in his largely spoken role with assurance and nimble body language. He also conveys the gum-chewing hero’s naive trust in the goodness of humankind in a way that doesn’t abuse our sympathy. When Johnny, who has every right to be bitterly disillusioned at the end, bursts into his big final song, we get the irony and we are with him all the same.”
“The Chicago Folks Operetta’s production features a 15-piece orchestra, professional classical-trained singers and a terrific lead performance of Johnny Johnson played with zest and empathy by Gabriel di Gennaro.”
“Fortunately, the ensemble is led by Gabriel di Gennaro as the title character. His Johnny Johnson is so sincere and likable that you can’t help but empathize with his enthusiasm, bewilderment, and earnest if ill-fated efforts to stop the war as he lives through experiences fraught with irony, horror, and disillusionment.”
“Gabriel di Gennaro gives life to the titular Johnny Johnson. He gives Johnny a youthful innocence while never making him seem naive and unbelievable. Despite his pacifist nature, di Gennaro’s performance gives strength and depth to the character.”
“But the emotional heart of the show, the performer upon which this production’s success relies, is the tender and sincere portrayal of Johnny Johnson by baritone Gabriel di Gennaro.”
“CFO has assembled a strong cast, led by Gabriel di Gennaro as Johnny Johnson in his CFO debut...his gentleness and sincerity pulse strongly throughout the evening and you readily come to identify with the title character.”