Chris Silk
Wit:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/may/22/review-wit-takes-one-woman-final-journey/

"This is ultimately Birtolo’s show to carry, and carry it she does — if not spectacularly, then at least with a proud defiance befitting the role. She whines, retches, grimaces and groans with convincing gusto and spits back an amazing amount of dialogue while only clad in a hospital gown. A scene in which she discusses a “Do Not Resuscitate” order with her nurse is spellbinding, as is a scene in which Vivian screams at a nurse that she doesn’t want an X-ray because she’s still finishing a lecture."

"The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife
“Janina Birtolo shines as Marjorie and makes us care about her, even when she’s whiny and self-absorbed…This is Birtolo’s chance to show what she’s got, and she makes the most of it, making us root for her character even while we laugh at her foibles and the absurdities of her life. Birtolo has acted in numerous other Naples Players productions, but she totally disappears into this role. The weight of the play rests upon her, and she does not disappoint.”
– Nancy Stetson, Naples Daily News


The Waverly Gallery
“Players veteran Janina Birtolo, as her long-suffering daughter, is a natural in her part. Even her posture works for her – lifting when she is in her professional garb, in her own life, and slumping in the duties of an exhausted, frustrated daughter.”
– Harriet Howard Heithaus, Naples Daily News


As Bees in Honey Drown
“Janina Birtolo turns in a breathtaking performance as the voluble Alexa, delivering a staggering volume of lines with unwavering verve and attitude. Her not-quite-identifiable accent is right on the mark for her character.”
– Pamela Gilbert Worztel, The Island Sun


The Beauty Queen of Leenane
Still, the apparently long-suffering Maureen Folan, played to Gaelic perfection by Janina Birtolo, pulls us along in the current Naples Players production… (Birtolo’s) called upon here to incorporate a tougher, less tolerant ego, and she handles it impeccably, building on her successively blunt tongue-lashing to the point that no one questions that she will step over her wailing mother to run after her boyfriend.”
– Harriet Howard Heithouse, Naples Daily News


Taming of the Shrew
“In an unusual bit of casting, Baptista, father of the girls, is played by Janina Birtolo as Baptista, mother of the girls. Shakespeare would have liked this role switch, as Birtolo is ideal as the put-upon parent, juggling suitors and hoping to make the best arrangements for her girls.”
–Maxine Ginsberg, Naples Daily News


Oh Dad, Poor Dad…
“Birtolo skirts the edge of camp as the sinister mother, but her performance is appropriately modulated. Her readings and gestures seem natural and cat-like despite the surreal atmosphere. In the second act, she has an especially good turn with a 20-minute monologue describing the gory details of her marriage to the man in the closet.”
– Drew Sterwald, Fort Myers News-Press


Three Tall Women: Long on quality, short on cheer
"Janina Birtolo's challenge is to represent the woman when she's 52, still unreconciled with how her son turned out, but resigned to the fact that youthful dreams will not come true, and that some battles aren't worth fighting. The role is less volatile than that of the older woman, but Birtolo plays the more even-tempered character with skill. Her realization of what will be and what will not, and her acceptance of it will strike another chord of response in mature audiences who have shared that melancholy enlightenment."
-Maxine Ginsberg, Naples Daily News


LINKS TO REVIEWS

Coastal Beat/Wit review:
http://www.coastalbeat.com/news/2008/may/31/facing-end-local-actress-takes-difficult-character/

NDN/Allergist's Wife: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2003/oct/21/ndn_review__strong_performances__unpredictable_scr/

NDN/Collected Stories:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2005/apr/02/ndn_review__this_is_your_life__or_is_it/

NDN/Virgin Tears: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2004/nov/18/ndn_review____039_virgin_tears__039__is_quirky_tal/