Cabaret and Musical Theatre Performance Reviews
"What power. What heart. She brought me to tears. This kind of raw emotion and talent is rare."
- Marc Shaiman (Hocus Pocus 2, Smash, Hairspray, South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut)
"If I could be a girl singer, I'd want to sing like this."
- Jason Robert Brown (The Last 5 Years, Parade, tick, tick, BOOM!)
"I've known who you are for such a long time! I've watched you on youtube and I'm such a fan!
You're like a genius. You're in that genius category... You have one of my all time favorite voices."
- Robert J. Ulrich (Casting Director: Glee, American Horror Story, The Boys, Grey's Anatomy)
"Oh Shelly... you seem to capture all that I feel in the color of your voice.
I have such a love affair with you... I feel so many things for you."
- Tituss Burgess (Schmigadoon, Central Park, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, 30 Rock)
"Thompson also shared the stage with blonde Shelly Bort in a duet on "Stay" that featured nice harmonies. Singing alone, Bort showed off her powerful legitimate voice on "Level", about holding onto the residue of a failed relationship."
- Elliott Zwiebach (Cabaret Scenes, Reviewer, Los Angeles, CA)
"She's written and produced multiple musicals and performed with some of the most talented singers and Broadway stars out there. Shelly Bort is a force to be reckoned with. She's hilarious, talented, and hardworking."
- Roem Baur (The Voice, Musician/Host)
Director, Musical Director, Choreographer for Forbidden Broadway
" As the opening song “Forbidden Broadway” begins, the septet is seated, but this is one of only a couple of moments when anyone but Shelly Bort is seated. She directs the show, choreographed it and plays accompaniment on that piano terrifically. (...) Truth told, this show would grind most actors to a pulp, but Bort seems to infuse lots of caffeine into her cast’s water bottles. They would struggle without Bort’s more than capable tickling of the ivories, and her quick changes between vignettes – adorably staged with TV theme songs playing to rush her along – are a constant source of enjoyment. (...) The opening night audience leaped to its feet at the end of the show. (...) Catch this revue before the lights go dim. Your funny bone will thank you."
- Mike Taylor (Sierra Lodestar)
Musical Director for Cowgirls, The Musical
"Shelly Bort, who appeared at Stage 3 in “Cowgirls the Musical,” returns to direct and choreograph this production. Confidently in command of the piano for the entire performance, she keeps the pace moving along nicely. She also performs a delightful impersonation of Carol Channing, and her channeling of Ethel Merman is one of the play’s many highlights.
- Kathie Isaac-Luke (The Union Democrat)
"Perhaps his greatest find was Musical Director Shelly Bort, who also plays Rita, the good-natured pianist who’s seven months pregnant. Bort is a charismatic performer with a knockout voice who plays much of the musical accompaniment while sporting a very pregnant belly... Bort swings that belly in maneuvers that lend an earthy hilarity to her role.
- Patricia Harrelson (Sierra Lodestar)
"Shelly Bort plays Rita, the very pregnant pianist and leader of the classical trio. Bort, who also is the musical director for this production, has impressive credits as a singer and musician. Her performance is confident and charismatic."
- Kathie Isaac-Luke (The Union Democrat)
Playing "Annie Wilkes" in Misery
"Bort changes moods on a dime, expertly going from spitting furious to heart wrenching, sobbing tears that will rip your heart out and leave it on the theatre floor. (...) Bort reaches brilliance in the role Kathy Bates originated."
Playing "The Sour Kangaroo" in Seussical The Musical
"Shelly Bort channels her inner Aretha Franklin..."
Playing "Woman 2" in Songs For A New World
"In 'Just One Step', singer Shelly Bort brings to life the inner turmoil of a woman pushed to the limits of her endurance by her inattentive husband. Bort aptly captures the feeling of being involved in a relationship in which you are invisible to the other person. No matter what you do or say, your partner has already turned away."
Musically Directing and playing "Lucy" in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
"Shelly Bort, who doubled as Musical Director, is humorously pompous as Lucy, the bossy amateur psychiatrist."
Playing "The Narrator" in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
"Even when her voice is breaking your heart, Shelly Bort never once fails to make you smile somewhere deep inside;
a big voice, a huge smile, a major talent."
- Marc Shaiman (Hocus Pocus 2, Smash, Hairspray, South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut)
"If I could be a girl singer, I'd want to sing like this."
- Jason Robert Brown (The Last 5 Years, Parade, tick, tick, BOOM!)
"I've known who you are for such a long time! I've watched you on youtube and I'm such a fan!
You're like a genius. You're in that genius category... You have one of my all time favorite voices."
- Robert J. Ulrich (Casting Director: Glee, American Horror Story, The Boys, Grey's Anatomy)
"Oh Shelly... you seem to capture all that I feel in the color of your voice.
I have such a love affair with you... I feel so many things for you."
- Tituss Burgess (Schmigadoon, Central Park, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, 30 Rock)
"Thompson also shared the stage with blonde Shelly Bort in a duet on "Stay" that featured nice harmonies. Singing alone, Bort showed off her powerful legitimate voice on "Level", about holding onto the residue of a failed relationship."
- Elliott Zwiebach (Cabaret Scenes, Reviewer, Los Angeles, CA)
"She's written and produced multiple musicals and performed with some of the most talented singers and Broadway stars out there. Shelly Bort is a force to be reckoned with. She's hilarious, talented, and hardworking."
- Roem Baur (The Voice, Musician/Host)
Director, Musical Director, Choreographer for Forbidden Broadway
" As the opening song “Forbidden Broadway” begins, the septet is seated, but this is one of only a couple of moments when anyone but Shelly Bort is seated. She directs the show, choreographed it and plays accompaniment on that piano terrifically. (...) Truth told, this show would grind most actors to a pulp, but Bort seems to infuse lots of caffeine into her cast’s water bottles. They would struggle without Bort’s more than capable tickling of the ivories, and her quick changes between vignettes – adorably staged with TV theme songs playing to rush her along – are a constant source of enjoyment. (...) The opening night audience leaped to its feet at the end of the show. (...) Catch this revue before the lights go dim. Your funny bone will thank you."
- Mike Taylor (Sierra Lodestar)
Musical Director for Cowgirls, The Musical
"Shelly Bort, who appeared at Stage 3 in “Cowgirls the Musical,” returns to direct and choreograph this production. Confidently in command of the piano for the entire performance, she keeps the pace moving along nicely. She also performs a delightful impersonation of Carol Channing, and her channeling of Ethel Merman is one of the play’s many highlights.
- Kathie Isaac-Luke (The Union Democrat)
"Perhaps his greatest find was Musical Director Shelly Bort, who also plays Rita, the good-natured pianist who’s seven months pregnant. Bort is a charismatic performer with a knockout voice who plays much of the musical accompaniment while sporting a very pregnant belly... Bort swings that belly in maneuvers that lend an earthy hilarity to her role.
- Patricia Harrelson (Sierra Lodestar)
"Shelly Bort plays Rita, the very pregnant pianist and leader of the classical trio. Bort, who also is the musical director for this production, has impressive credits as a singer and musician. Her performance is confident and charismatic."
- Kathie Isaac-Luke (The Union Democrat)
Playing "Annie Wilkes" in Misery
"Bort changes moods on a dime, expertly going from spitting furious to heart wrenching, sobbing tears that will rip your heart out and leave it on the theatre floor. (...) Bort reaches brilliance in the role Kathy Bates originated."
Playing "The Sour Kangaroo" in Seussical The Musical
"Shelly Bort channels her inner Aretha Franklin..."
Playing "Woman 2" in Songs For A New World
"In 'Just One Step', singer Shelly Bort brings to life the inner turmoil of a woman pushed to the limits of her endurance by her inattentive husband. Bort aptly captures the feeling of being involved in a relationship in which you are invisible to the other person. No matter what you do or say, your partner has already turned away."
Musically Directing and playing "Lucy" in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
"Shelly Bort, who doubled as Musical Director, is humorously pompous as Lucy, the bossy amateur psychiatrist."
Playing "The Narrator" in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
"Even when her voice is breaking your heart, Shelly Bort never once fails to make you smile somewhere deep inside;
a big voice, a huge smile, a major talent."
Director and Musical Director Reviews
"Shelly Bort (an Elly-nominated actress in the role of Rita in “Cowgirls the Musical”)
does the musical direction and choreography for this Stage 3 production.
Having Shelly back (for Forbidden Broadway) to close out this space and our season is icing on the cake.”
- Rocky Rhoades (Stage 3 Theatre)
"It's so much fun watching this ensemble jump from one number to the next, relishing each character for a brief moment before scrambling into the next costume, that it's easy to forget how much research & rehearsal must have been required to parody & reference such an expansive revue of iconic musicals & figures. The fact that the direction, musical direction, & choreography for this roller coaster were all done by the same person (Shelly Bort) is all the more impressive!
- Brian Zarka (ElNido Productions)
“Watching how Shelly Bort, the musical director, brings these women together to form a band has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had in theatre. I often find myself in the role of a fan, cheering on these amazing women as they climb to new musical heights.”
- Rocky Rhoades (Stage 3 Theatre Co.)
“I’m having a ball working with Shelly Bort and this young and energetic cast. Shelly is amazing; her energy is second to none and she is funny and quirky to boot.”
- Dwight Mahabir (Forbidden Broadway Cast Member)