Press & Reviews
Victor/Victoria
"Kelly Atkins is a wonder in the title role, switching from a fetching young woman into a lithe, handsome man who impersonates a woman in mere moments, her voice going from a soprano's high B-flat to a solid baritone and her body language convincing 1920s Paris audiences that they are indeed seeing a female impersonator. Atkins' wistful "If I Were a Man", tender "Crazy World" and poignant "Living in the Shadows" show her phenomenal vocal and styling range. This woman has star power and then some."
~Barbara Fredricksen, St. Petersburg Times
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"Show Palace has hit a home run with "Victor/Victoria", thanks largely to talented Kelly Atkins, who truly is Victor/ Victoria. The role requires a powerful actor with the necessary vocal range to hit the basement low notes, as well as the knock-your-socks-off high notes. Atkins has all that and more. She lets loose her fabulous vocals and dances up a storm in "Le Jazz Hot", and her rendition of "Living in the Shadows" is tender and poignant."
~Marsha L. Reiniers, Hernando Today
The Great american trailer park musical
"The hottest property in this trailer park is Kelly Atkins as Pippi. She has strong acting moments throughout the show, and makes her character real and raw rather than cheap and heartless. The hands down showstopper of the evening is Atkins' pole dancing number, "The Buck Stops Here." Scantily clad and looking gorgeous, hanging upside down with legs wrapped around a stripper pole yet still singing with every note perfectly in place, she is one hard act to follow."
~John Lariviere www.talkinbroadway.com
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"Kelly Atkins amazes as she slithers through an exotic pole dance while belting out "The Buck Stops Here", sometimes even hanging upside down while doing so. Atkins proves to be quite the actress too, with a keen understanding of her character as she elicits realism in her every line delivery."
~Michael Martin - EDGE Ft. Lauderdale
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"Atkins' sympathetic Pippi becomes more than a sexy home wrecker (who happens to look great in Ellis Tillman's minimalist costumes), and her athletically impressive pole dance would be the envy of many a real strip club entertainer."
~Christine Dolan - Miami Herald
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"When amplified by the talents of actors of the caliber of Margot Moreland and Kelly Atkins, Trailer Park could became the highlight of your week. Atkins's pole dance defies gravity, and I doubt I've ever seen a performer be so slatternly and so likeable at the same time. You have to dig the way she announced herself with every line, as if she's daring you to say she's not good enough to invade your space.... you'll slap some linens on the couch and invite her in, just to keep her from jamming one of her fabulous, spiky pumps up your ass."
~Brandon K. Thorp, Miami New Times
The Toxic Avenger
"Kelly Atkins is beside herself - and I mean that literally - in her dual roles as evil-doer Mayor Babs Belgoody and her arch-enemy, Melvin's long-suffering mom. After Babs deems it "impossible" for these two life-long foes to be in the same room, Atkins very nearly manages to pull it off, thanks to the quickest costume changes in stage history and a fully accessorized split-personality."
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"Please note a remarkable dual-role by the incomparable Kelly Atkins that is so accomplished, she eventually does them both at the same time"........ Kelly Atkins (Mayor Babs Belgoody/Ma Ferd/Nun):
Physical, operatic, Wiz-o-Oz tornado, functioning in dual-dimensions.
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MY FAIR LADY
"Pride of place goes to Kelly Atkins, an enchanting Eliza. Her full-bodied characterization is by turns naive, annoyed, funny, pouty and hurt. Atkins is also blessed with a creamy soprano that easily navigates Loewe's music."
~John Horan, Jr. - Northern Virginia Daily
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"The breakthrough performance in this show is by Kelly Aikins. A beautiful young woman with a remarkable voice, Atkins also gives one of the best acting performances this year as Eliza."
~Charlie Patton, Florida Times Union
My way~ a tribute to Frank Sinatra
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"It is the vibrant Kelly Atkins who provides the most sparks. The others are fine, but don't create the kind of chills Atkins stirs when she kicks herself off a stool singing "LA. Is My Lady." You have to sit up yourself and take notice."
~Jay Handelman, Herald-Tribune
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"A sultry Ava Gardner- type, Atkins sashays around the stage oozing sex
appeal from every pore."
~Karen Mamone, Pelican Press
THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES
"Kelly Atkins simply shines as Betty Blake Rogers, and we hope to see more of her in future performances. Feminine and lovely, she sits on the moon and sings "My Unknown Someone" with sweet abandon, then later she lets it all out in the vampy torch number "No Man Left for Me", where, perched atop a grand piano she laments her loneliness."
~Marsha L. Reiners, Hernando Today
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8 TRACK: THE SOUNDS OF THE SEVENTIES
"The versatile Atkins and Acevedo sing a beautiful rendition of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, "... and Atkins sings "You Light Up My Life" so beautifully she dims all memory of Debbie Boone."
~Gainesville Sun
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AMOROUS CROSSING
"But Kelly Atkins, playing the younger woman, Diana, on her honeymoon with a much older (and wealthier man) is who struck me throughout the evening. With her, for lack of a better term, rockin' body, and absolutely believable flirty demeanor, she stole the show. Her repressed love for her ex-husband was displayed perfectly - troubled and confused, yet implusive."
~Olivia Wilson - Ponte Vedra Recorder
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"Kelly Atkins, plays Diana, the younger woman. Like Mr.Hook, she is a fabulous singer, and also a very attractive and accomplished actress who is exceptionally versatile when it comes to comedy."
~The Dual Critics, Folio Weekly
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LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
"Kelly Atkins seems born to play Audrey, the sales clerk with a past who doesn't think she's good enough for Seymour. With Betty Boop mannerisms, making her hip swiveling entrance to a tick-tock rhythm from the band, she is comic and touching and glamorous all at once in her yearning aria for a better life, "Somewhere That's Green".
~John Fleming, Tampa Bay Times
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ALICE IN WONDERLAND
"As Alice, Kelly Atkins provides a stunning, highly emotional, very physical performance as she is subjected to various abuses at the hands of the inhabitants of Wonderland. Her role is extremely demanding and calls for almost constant activity and stage presence on her part during the 80-minute show, which is performed without an intermission."
~Dick Maxwell, Gainesville Sun
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"Alice is a woman, not a girl. In fact, she’s a big busty bombshell, the sensational Kelly Atkins."
~Shamrock McShane,
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A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER​
"Kelly Atkins as Miss Shingle, said servant, starts to sing about this life-changing revelation, and immediately we sense we are in the presence of the real deal, the sound rich and elegant and highly trained. This is something special."
~Shamrock McShane,
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HAND TO GOD
"But more than a match for the mouthy Tyrone is Kelly Atkins, with her miles-over-the-top performance as Margery, the mother from hell. Stewing with resentment against, apparently, every man in her life - Jason and Jesus included - and sporting a Texas twang that won't quit ("cain't this" and "cain't that," "cain't never forget her") Atkins bawls and boozes and bemoans her way through the script like a hot chainsaw through Baptist butter. Poor Timothy never sees it coming."
~ Gainesville Sun
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LIVING ON LOVE
"As Diva Raquel De Angelis, Kelly Atkins attacks the role with a comically fierce intensity with great result. Both leads are fun to watch as they romp across the stage devouring the supporting cast members throughout the evening."
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL
"The return of Kelly Atkins to the Hippodrome stage is always a treat, and Atkins is so exquisitely deep in the role of Jacob Marley (yes she did!) and Mrs. Fezziwig, I didn't even recognize her. This is intended as high complement to Atkins' artistry. A trained opera singer as well, Atkins effortlessly delivers the musical vocal goods".
~Tom Miller,
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"Kelly projects an aura of magnificence – it’s what makes her Marley such a powerful fright. Her stature combined with the imposing Marley costuming and chaining, along with her operatic voice, make for a monstrously terrifying apparition."
~Shamrock McShane,
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POTUS
"The front runners for show-stealing are easily Nichole Hamilton as Harriet, Chief of Staff, and Kelly Atkins as Jean, a sharp buxom-blond Press Secretary whose confidence rolls when the cameras do.They have such ease on stage, and Vaudevillian chemistry as they riff and play off each other with tangible emotional content. We immediately buy these characters in their respective roles; we're instantly enraptured with their purpose."
~Tom Miller
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SUDS: THE ROCKIN' 60'S MUSICAL SOAP OPERA
"It's particularly nice to see Atkins on stage again following her memorable performance in last season's "The Great American Trailer Park Musical". Atkins' sultry manner and dusky voice make a passionate connection with each of her songs, most notably on "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," which brought down the house on the night I saw the show."
~Gainesville Sun
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THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES
"It's hard to pick favorites, but Kelly Atkins as Missy, the hysterically cliché "classically-trained" soprano, was hilarious.
When she points out her crush, Glee Club Director Mr. Lee, and serenades him with "Secret Love," you feel like you will never stop laughing. You have to see it."
~Gainesville Sun
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THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNUM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
"We were impressed by Kelly Atkins as Mrs. Peretti, the spelling bee hostess, and her very funny ad libs about the backgrounds of the guests."
~The Dual Critics, Folio Weekly
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SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
The final leading role, Lina Lamont, the ditzy silent movie star with the shrill voice, is done to absolute perfection by Alhambra favorite Kelly Atkins. The scene where she makes her first talking movie and has to use a microphone is an absolute laugh riot that will have you rolling in the aisles."
~The Dual Critics, Folio Weekly
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THE KING AND I
"Ms. Atkins's strong stage presence and fantastic voice as Mrs. Anna adds up to a memorable performance."
~The Dual Critics, Folio Weekly
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SCROOGE IN ROUGE
"While Scrooge in Rouge marks the first time all three actors have worked together, their chemistry is palpable. Their comedic banter builds upon each other and lands with astounding accuracy, translating to a viewing experience that is sure to delight viewers and keep them on their toes."
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