(selected) REVIEWS
KING LEAR @ The Public
“The story of Gloucester, Edmund, and Edgar shows what happens when the city’s acting talent is put to use… Impressive is Brian Avers, who’s terrific as Edgar and his mud-spattered alter ego, Poor Tom. When his blinded father appears, their recognition scene is genuinely heartbreaking.”
Jeremy McCarter, New York Magazine
“In addition to Kline, the most stirring work comes from Bryggman as the soulful Gloucester and Brian Avers as his wronged son Edgar, growing from bookish nerd to crazed, feral outcast to noble survivor.”
David Rooney, Variety
“The casting is deliciously luxurious, including Michael Cerveris as loyal Kent, Larry Bryggman as Gloucester, and Brian Avers, who has quiet decency as Edgar.”
Linda Winer, Newsday
"Avers gives a standout performance!”
Elysa Gardner, USA Today
“Avers brilliantly crafted Edgar's journey from geeky student to ‘Poor Tom’ to courageous leader at the end.”
“Terrific acting comes in the subplot - Brian Avers & Logan Marshall-Green steal the show!”
Joe Dziemianowicz, NY Daily News
POOR BEHAVIOR @ Primary Stages
“Theresa Rebeck's dialogue is taut and unsparing, especially when it comes to bourgeois illusions of happiness... But the play belongs to Avers, who plays Ian with sneering, raffish abandon."
Helen Shaw, The New Yorker
"A brilliant performance by Brian Avers - irritating, bombastic, provocative and absolutely riveting to watch!”
Robert Holfer, The Wrap
“Polished performances by the entire ensemble; Avers is a standout as Ian.”
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
“The actors are excellent, most notably the fine New York stage actor Brian Avers as the devilish Irishman, Ian.”
Robert Kahn, NBCNewYork
BECKY SHAW @ South Coast Rep
“As blissfully evil Max, Brian Avers is a delicious stage creature, delivering sparks, laughs & withering comebacks."
Charlotte Stoudt, Los Angeles Times
“Entering like a python, words roll off Avers’ tongue like a dagger… the cast is brilliant, and Avers delivers a riveting performance, delivering most of the laughs as he launches one barb after another… Riotously funny!”
Michael Quintos, broadwayworld.com
“Avers is a standout, master of the pregnant pause and studied reaction. He delivers his zinging words in unconstrained frustration as he battles Becky's machinations… The most interesting character in the play.”
Melinda Schupmann, Backstage West
“Max is the center of this solar system, and Avers never lets us forget, giving his character an animal magnetism… like a predator, he's either in purposeful motion or frighteningly still. When he hears something especially stupid he looks around as if the comment might have been intended for someone else or the words are perhaps sticking to the wall, a trembling mess for the whole world to see… Viciously funny!”
Paul Hodgins, Orange County Register
ART @ Barrington Stage Company
“ART is an actors’ play, and these three don’t disappoint — Avers’ hapless Yvan is most affecting; his exasperated monologue about the politics of wedding invitations stops the show!”
Ron Lee, WBRK Radio
“Brian Avers is frantic, erupting in a dazzlingly orchestrated speech. The cast is accomplished, the rhythm driving and breathless… Avers is sublime!”
Jeffrey Borak, The Berkshire Eagle
“Performances are excellent, but it is Brian Avers who is most sympathetic and appealing. His frustrated explanation concerning the women in his life is the high point of the show’s hilarity.”
Macey Levin, Lakeville Journal
“First-rate! Brian Avers finds all the funny and turmoil that befalls this dish-rag of a man. Trying to please, Avers is a perfect puppy, enlisting the audience’s pity and balancing it with their disdain as he displays the character’s appalling lack of backbone with engaging ease… his epic comic monologue is delivered with expert burlesque and just the right touch of pathos -- a magnetic performance!”
Matthew G. Moross, The Daily Gazette
“ART captures the brass ring; it’s a delight from beginning to end… Yvan’s furious monologue may be a non-sequitur, but it is one of the most hilarious moments – or extended moments – in the play. As delivered by Brian Avers, it has to go down as one of the funniest routines this reviewer has been treated to in many moons!”
David Begelman, Danbury News-Times