REVIEWS:
The Duchess of Malfi:
"Katie Culligan brings the Duchess’ power from her first silent moments on stage. She is strong and self-possessed, charming and beautiful, grounded and passionate. Her performance is closely nuanced at every moment." TheatreBloom - October 2018
"As the Duchess, Katie Culligan is no shrill shrew even when her brothers are at their worst. Culligan gives her audacious Duchess character a calm center covered by a boundless nature; visible sensuality, brave confidence, and yes, impetuousness too. Even in the darkest of hours, as the Duchess, Culligan shows little desperation, remaining noble even as her brothers and the world conspire against her: “I am Duchess of Malfi still.” DC Metro Theatre Arts - October 2018
"Culligan is all that Webster could have wanted in a Duchess." DC Theatre Scene - October 2018
"An iron will defines the leads in these modern dress productions, which share an ensemble of less than a dozen actors. Katie Culligan is resolutely determined as the Duchess." Washington Post - October 2018
Noises Off:
"Brooke (Katie Culligan) is a comedic rival to Selsdon, though her character is no more or less involved with him than any of the others. Culligan’s outrageous accent well-fits her character choices. Brooke is the actor who knows blocking and lines only, has no improvisational skills, and carries on as rehearsed regardless of what is happening or not happening around her and Culligan delivers to the letter this style of performance when the Brooke character is in scene, ultimately raising the comedic standards of the show to the Nth degree." TheatreBloom - August 2018
"Katie Culligan was just so funny! She has a real sense of comedic timing, and the audience rewarded her for just that." Cumberland Times-News - August 2018
Dr. Faustus:
"Culligan gets several wonderful scenes as Wagner, Faustus’ page, who’s nearly as smart as Faustus but considerably wiser." TheatreBloom - Joshua Engel, Nov. 2017
"There are...fantastic performances from Katie Culligan as Faustus’ servant, Wagner..." - DCMetroTheatreArts - Emily Gilson, Oct. 2017
Hedda Gabler:
"The cast is headed by a truly remarkable actress, Katie Culligan, whose pitch-perfect performance as Hedda makes the production a true delight. The nails are out from the git-go, and there isn’t a word rolling off of Culligan’s lips that doesn’t have that delicious hint of malice. It’s a bravura performance of one of the most coveted roles in the theatre, not to be missed." MD Theatre Guide - Andrew White, October 2014
"As Hedda Gabler, Katie Culligan made an immediate impression and was constantly present as her character, despite being onstage for almost the entire performance. Her interpretation was definitive and fascinating, creating a cruel and rarely sympathetic anti-hero who nonetheless held the audience's rapt attention." Broadway World - Madison Kaigh, October 2014.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels:
"My personal favorite performance of the night was Katie Culligan as Jolene Oakes, an Oklahoma oil heiress cowgirl whom Jamison attempts to seduce but quickly backtracks as Jolene mistakenly thinks they are engaged and plans their (very redneck) wedding. Culligan has altogether amazing voice-acting skills in her big number “Oklahoma!” and fantastic stage presence, with girlish energy and brash enthusiasm, and plays Jamison like a finely tuned fiddle to the point where his look of miserable imprisonment looks entirely sympathetic to the audience." DCmetrotheatrearts - Emily Cao, Sept. 2013
Eve's Big Fat Family Reunion:
"Katie Culligan’s portrayals of Hannah and Mary were simply brilliant. Her high energy and beautiful soprano voice made her numbers a blast to watch, and I even found myself wishing she had more solos when I realized the show was coming to an end." DCmetrotheatrearts - Lauren Katz, July 2013
The Christmas Cabin of Carnaween:
“The obvious star of the show is Katie Culligan who plays Oona Hegarty, the story’s central character and driving force. Winsome and warm, she’s an excellent dancer and a good vocalist as well, and seems a natural for the part.”
(DC Theatre Scene). - December, 2012
“...her accent was near flawless. When she sang, I could feel the emotion, particularly during the somber moments...”
(Our Kids). - December, 2012
"You can watch the extremely talented Katie Culligan recite the poem 'Forgive Them Father'."
Poetnotarapper.com -- Bomani Armah, March, 2012
"The atmosphere in the theatre was electrified once the red headed Katie Culligan (Oona Hearty) appeared and transformed herself from a hardworking Irish Cinderella to happy Merry Poppins to a self-sacrificing caretaker. Culligan is a multi-talented rising star who can sing a song without overpowering the children in the ensemble, invoke empathy and dance a jig or reel. Culligan’s rendition of “Oona’s Song” was sparkling, rollicking and playful as she danced and sang about her life. She displayed her crisp, precise and energetic step and reel dancing skills with Jim Lynch and the ensemble in “The Village Dance”. She made the audience weep as Oona got older and smile when Oona’s dream came true."
MD Theatre Guide -- Queen Charlotte "Lottie" Yard, December 4, 2011
"Oona is played by Katie Culligan, who has created a character with a mix of playfulness and stoicism, reminiscent of other favorite Christmas story heroes like George Bailey and Bob Cratchit. Culligan’s professional credits also include off-Broadway and regional theaters, including Arena Stage and Ford’s Theater."
FairfaxTimes.com -- Anne Cissel, December, 2 2011
Nevermore:
"Each actor gives an equally strong performance. Culligan and Swanigan-Upchurch embody naïveté with ease and radiate warmth and devotion as the two loves of Poe’s life…Of the six voices, none overpowers the other. Each is clear, beautiful and well-trained, tugging on the heartstrings of this reviewer during certain songs."
Falls Church Patch -- Monica Boland, October 13, 2011
"Katie Culligan portrays Virginia, the child cousin and first wife. Culligan carries off both the playful innocence of a thirteen year old who wants to be enthralled by Poe’s bedtime stories to the distraught wife that discovers she has been replaced in her husband’s mind by demon drink and debauchery. The relationship of Poe to this underage first cousin is an unsettling one, but the actress makes it both believable and touching in numbers like “Bridal Ballad”. Her bright and pure rendition of “Annabel Lee” is one of the best fits in the musical."
DC Theatre Scene -- Susan Galbraith, October 11, 2011
"Katie embodies Virginia in a way that gives Virginia the innocence of her youth, yet also the “knowing” quality of a young girl on the verge of womanhood."
Matt Conner, Director – MD Theatre Guide Interview By Joel Markowitz, October 4, 2011
Fat Men in Skirts:
"Katie Culligan effortlessly transitions between characters (Pam/Popo) and wraps the audience around her finger with charm and humor."
MDTheatre Guide – Erica Laxson, July 14, 2011
"Solid acting keeps the concept-heavy script from collapsing under its own weight."
Washington Post -- Rachel Weiner, July 10, 2011
"No time to catch your breath in this 90-minute, nonstop shock-and-awe campaign. The voluptuous Katie Culligan’s time onstage in her dual role as Pam/Popo will surely hold your attention."
Washingtoncitypaper.com -- Emery Uwimana, Jul. 8, 2011
"The women of the show have great comic timing."
DCist.com - Missy Frederick, July 8 2011
"I thought it was well performed by all four actors, Katie Culligan, Dave Gamble, K. Clare Johnson, and Matthew Marcus. Each gives performances that are nuanced and convincing."
DC Theatre Scene – Josh Fixler, July 8, 2011
Stage Door:
"Interestingly, some of the best, most Kaufmanesquely comical performances are turned in by those thespians who play the smaller character roles...like Katie Culligan’s eccentric pianist Olga Brandt. Culligan plays the role like a cross between Greta Garbo and Natasha Fatale, reminiscent, actually, of the Grand Duchess Olga Katrina in You Can’t Take It With You." - Terry Ponick, April 2011
"Katie Culligan brings the Duchess’ power from her first silent moments on stage. She is strong and self-possessed, charming and beautiful, grounded and passionate. Her performance is closely nuanced at every moment." TheatreBloom - October 2018
"As the Duchess, Katie Culligan is no shrill shrew even when her brothers are at their worst. Culligan gives her audacious Duchess character a calm center covered by a boundless nature; visible sensuality, brave confidence, and yes, impetuousness too. Even in the darkest of hours, as the Duchess, Culligan shows little desperation, remaining noble even as her brothers and the world conspire against her: “I am Duchess of Malfi still.” DC Metro Theatre Arts - October 2018
"Culligan is all that Webster could have wanted in a Duchess." DC Theatre Scene - October 2018
"An iron will defines the leads in these modern dress productions, which share an ensemble of less than a dozen actors. Katie Culligan is resolutely determined as the Duchess." Washington Post - October 2018
Noises Off:
"Brooke (Katie Culligan) is a comedic rival to Selsdon, though her character is no more or less involved with him than any of the others. Culligan’s outrageous accent well-fits her character choices. Brooke is the actor who knows blocking and lines only, has no improvisational skills, and carries on as rehearsed regardless of what is happening or not happening around her and Culligan delivers to the letter this style of performance when the Brooke character is in scene, ultimately raising the comedic standards of the show to the Nth degree." TheatreBloom - August 2018
"Katie Culligan was just so funny! She has a real sense of comedic timing, and the audience rewarded her for just that." Cumberland Times-News - August 2018
Dr. Faustus:
"Culligan gets several wonderful scenes as Wagner, Faustus’ page, who’s nearly as smart as Faustus but considerably wiser." TheatreBloom - Joshua Engel, Nov. 2017
"There are...fantastic performances from Katie Culligan as Faustus’ servant, Wagner..." - DCMetroTheatreArts - Emily Gilson, Oct. 2017
Hedda Gabler:
"The cast is headed by a truly remarkable actress, Katie Culligan, whose pitch-perfect performance as Hedda makes the production a true delight. The nails are out from the git-go, and there isn’t a word rolling off of Culligan’s lips that doesn’t have that delicious hint of malice. It’s a bravura performance of one of the most coveted roles in the theatre, not to be missed." MD Theatre Guide - Andrew White, October 2014
"As Hedda Gabler, Katie Culligan made an immediate impression and was constantly present as her character, despite being onstage for almost the entire performance. Her interpretation was definitive and fascinating, creating a cruel and rarely sympathetic anti-hero who nonetheless held the audience's rapt attention." Broadway World - Madison Kaigh, October 2014.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels:
"My personal favorite performance of the night was Katie Culligan as Jolene Oakes, an Oklahoma oil heiress cowgirl whom Jamison attempts to seduce but quickly backtracks as Jolene mistakenly thinks they are engaged and plans their (very redneck) wedding. Culligan has altogether amazing voice-acting skills in her big number “Oklahoma!” and fantastic stage presence, with girlish energy and brash enthusiasm, and plays Jamison like a finely tuned fiddle to the point where his look of miserable imprisonment looks entirely sympathetic to the audience." DCmetrotheatrearts - Emily Cao, Sept. 2013
Eve's Big Fat Family Reunion:
"Katie Culligan’s portrayals of Hannah and Mary were simply brilliant. Her high energy and beautiful soprano voice made her numbers a blast to watch, and I even found myself wishing she had more solos when I realized the show was coming to an end." DCmetrotheatrearts - Lauren Katz, July 2013
The Christmas Cabin of Carnaween:
“The obvious star of the show is Katie Culligan who plays Oona Hegarty, the story’s central character and driving force. Winsome and warm, she’s an excellent dancer and a good vocalist as well, and seems a natural for the part.”
(DC Theatre Scene). - December, 2012
“...her accent was near flawless. When she sang, I could feel the emotion, particularly during the somber moments...”
(Our Kids). - December, 2012
"You can watch the extremely talented Katie Culligan recite the poem 'Forgive Them Father'."
Poetnotarapper.com -- Bomani Armah, March, 2012
"The atmosphere in the theatre was electrified once the red headed Katie Culligan (Oona Hearty) appeared and transformed herself from a hardworking Irish Cinderella to happy Merry Poppins to a self-sacrificing caretaker. Culligan is a multi-talented rising star who can sing a song without overpowering the children in the ensemble, invoke empathy and dance a jig or reel. Culligan’s rendition of “Oona’s Song” was sparkling, rollicking and playful as she danced and sang about her life. She displayed her crisp, precise and energetic step and reel dancing skills with Jim Lynch and the ensemble in “The Village Dance”. She made the audience weep as Oona got older and smile when Oona’s dream came true."
MD Theatre Guide -- Queen Charlotte "Lottie" Yard, December 4, 2011
"Oona is played by Katie Culligan, who has created a character with a mix of playfulness and stoicism, reminiscent of other favorite Christmas story heroes like George Bailey and Bob Cratchit. Culligan’s professional credits also include off-Broadway and regional theaters, including Arena Stage and Ford’s Theater."
FairfaxTimes.com -- Anne Cissel, December, 2 2011
Nevermore:
"Each actor gives an equally strong performance. Culligan and Swanigan-Upchurch embody naïveté with ease and radiate warmth and devotion as the two loves of Poe’s life…Of the six voices, none overpowers the other. Each is clear, beautiful and well-trained, tugging on the heartstrings of this reviewer during certain songs."
Falls Church Patch -- Monica Boland, October 13, 2011
"Katie Culligan portrays Virginia, the child cousin and first wife. Culligan carries off both the playful innocence of a thirteen year old who wants to be enthralled by Poe’s bedtime stories to the distraught wife that discovers she has been replaced in her husband’s mind by demon drink and debauchery. The relationship of Poe to this underage first cousin is an unsettling one, but the actress makes it both believable and touching in numbers like “Bridal Ballad”. Her bright and pure rendition of “Annabel Lee” is one of the best fits in the musical."
DC Theatre Scene -- Susan Galbraith, October 11, 2011
"Katie embodies Virginia in a way that gives Virginia the innocence of her youth, yet also the “knowing” quality of a young girl on the verge of womanhood."
Matt Conner, Director – MD Theatre Guide Interview By Joel Markowitz, October 4, 2011
Fat Men in Skirts:
"Katie Culligan effortlessly transitions between characters (Pam/Popo) and wraps the audience around her finger with charm and humor."
MDTheatre Guide – Erica Laxson, July 14, 2011
"Solid acting keeps the concept-heavy script from collapsing under its own weight."
Washington Post -- Rachel Weiner, July 10, 2011
"No time to catch your breath in this 90-minute, nonstop shock-and-awe campaign. The voluptuous Katie Culligan’s time onstage in her dual role as Pam/Popo will surely hold your attention."
Washingtoncitypaper.com -- Emery Uwimana, Jul. 8, 2011
"The women of the show have great comic timing."
DCist.com - Missy Frederick, July 8 2011
"I thought it was well performed by all four actors, Katie Culligan, Dave Gamble, K. Clare Johnson, and Matthew Marcus. Each gives performances that are nuanced and convincing."
DC Theatre Scene – Josh Fixler, July 8, 2011
Stage Door:
"Interestingly, some of the best, most Kaufmanesquely comical performances are turned in by those thespians who play the smaller character roles...like Katie Culligan’s eccentric pianist Olga Brandt. Culligan plays the role like a cross between Greta Garbo and Natasha Fatale, reminiscent, actually, of the Grand Duchess Olga Katrina in You Can’t Take It With You." - Terry Ponick, April 2011
