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J. Michael Zygo as The Artful Dodger in"Oliver" at Broadway Palm West
"J. Michael Zygo brings refreshing fun to his rollicking Artful Dodger. They also handle the tricky London cockney accents with understandable authenticity."
- Chris Curcio for “Curtain Up Phoenix” and KBAQ
J. Michael Zygo as Rooster on the National Tour
of “Annie"
"J. Michael Zygo, as "Rooster", the bad guy, simply defines the role. He's funny and sleazy, with a really fine voice (and a "crow" better than Peter Pan's). Zygo displays a skilled dancer's crisp and graceful physicality. "
- Steve Callahan, KMOX Radio
J. Michael Zygo as Will Parker in the 1st National Tour
of “Oklahoma!"
“There are so many fine actors, dancers and singers
in this production. They all deserve standing ovations -
especially Will Parker (J. Michael Zygo). His dancing
reminds of Donald O’Connor. Now that’s good company to
keep. Bravo Will!”
“Buzzin” Lee Hartgrave – BeyondChron.org, San
Francisco
“J. Michael Zygo not only must make Will sing and
dance superbly, but also do back-flips and rope tricks.
It’s the show’s most difficult role, but Zygo is so
matter-of-fact terrific that an audience might not
realize that.” Peter Filichia – New Jersey Star-Ledger
“Susan Stroman’s choreography is taught and
imaginative, peaking in the show’s third number, “Kansas
City,”
with J. Michael Zygo’s astonishing turn as Will Parker.
Mr. Zygo’s performance comes off as the commanding male
performance in the show.”
Glenn Kaufmann – Bloomington Herald Times
“J. Michael Zygo, who looks like an unassuming chap,
tears up the stage as Will Parker, particularly with
some fancy lariat work in “Kansas City.”
Leslie Katz – Oakland Tribune
“Zygo is an athletic dancer, able singer and a
delightful actor who knows exactly where each of his
character’s laughs lie.”
E. Kyle Minor – New Haven Register
“In fact, secondary characters – particulary Will
Parker (J. Michael Zygo) steal the show. Zygo (a roping
virtuoso) sings a far more authentic drawl than his
capable lead counterparts. His authenticity blends well
with the earthy set design - and the patrons of the deep
in the South.”
Eric Connor – Greenville News
“Action actually picks up as J. Michael Zygo wows
the cast with Will Parker’s wild accounts of “Kansas
City,” and some fancy dancing and rope spinning.”
George Walker – WFIU Radio
“J. Michael Zygo is a dynamite Will Parker.”
Joseph F. Caputo – Scranton Times Tribune
“J. Michael Zygo is a dancing and gymnastic machine
who makes Will Parker a delight.”
Roy Berko – Cleveland Times Newspapers
J. Michael Zygo as Jerry in "The Full Monty”
“Leading man J. Michael Zygo is absolutely terrific as
Jerry, with a gorgeous voice, full of warmth and
color, and the acting chops to suggest he really is
more comfortable playing basketball than dancing. Zygo
alone is worth the price of admission, from his first
note on “Scrap” to his last note on “Let It Go.” If
there was anything remotely fair about the way the
world works, this boy would be a big star."
Kistler – Online Review
“And then there’s J. Michael Zygo. He’s tremendous. Not
a false note there, in song or in acting. His seemingly
effortless, understated performance brings home the
reality of a regular guy trying to keep his spirits
buoyed in a world that seems determined – with a cold
industrial-strength efficiency – to grind him down to a
fine powder.”
Dan
Hagen – Sullivan News Progress
“J. Michael Zygo has an amazing and brilliant voice as
Jerry Lukowski.”
Guy S. Little, Jr. – The Community Record
“J. Michael Zygo also blew me away singing “Man.” He
could hit the high notes and hold a note well, showing
off his aspirations of becoming a country music star.”
Alicia Spates – Decatur Herald Review
J. Michael Zygo as Malcolm in "The Full Monty”
“J. Michael Zygo – who aspires to country music fame
and has an excellent full-band album of original
country music under his belt – produces, perhaps, the
biggest surprise of the cast – a lyrical tenor voice
and a tenderly lyrical voice as he sings the gentle
serenade “You Walk With Me” near the end. What a
contrast with the raucous country tones he produced
post performance at his CD presentation.”
Anne Bellew – Sanibel Captiva Islander
Jillian Nyhan Zygo as Nancy in"Oliver" at Broadway Palm West
"Jillian Nyhan Zygo’s gutsy Nancy wraps her richly booming voice around “As Long As He Needs Me” with staunch passion and she brings lusty zest to her more raucous songs... They also handle the tricky London cockney accents with understandable authenticity."
- Chris Curcio for “Curtain Up Phoenix” and KBAQ
Jillian Nyhan Zygo on the "I Love A Piano" Tour
"And last but certainly not least, the reliable redhead Jillian Nyhan Zygo leads the cast in a rendition of "Let Yourself Go," and stands out in the rapid-fire counterpoint of "Old Fashioned Wedding"."
- By Frankie Moran for "San Diego Arts"
Jillian Nyhan Zygo as Ado Annie in the 1st National Tour of “Oklahoma!”
“The clarion belt voice of Jillian Nyhan Zygo, is perfectly suited to Ado Annie’s 'I Cain’t Say No'.”
Julie York Coppens – Charlotte Observer
“Jillian Nyhan, in the role of Ado Annie, kicked up the energy a notch.”
Christine Howey – Cleveland Scene
‘“I remember she was like a burst of sunshine,” Mary Pohl-Brazeau said of Nyhan. “She walked into the room with the energy of ten people. There was no one like her, and I know people say that about other people, but Jill was really unique. She was fearless, and she was one of the happiest kids I had ever seen.”’
Bill Buell – Daily Gazette Schnectady, NY
"Ado Annie (Jillian Nyhan Zygo) portrays a lovely songstress bounding with vivacity. Will, Annie’s boyfriend (J. Michael Zygo - yep, husband and wife in real life) stops the show with his rope twirling."
Diane Sprung -- Post and Courier, N. Charleston, SC, December '05
"J. Michael Zygo’s Will Parker was a little thick-headed, but big-hearted. Zygo’s moves were as
fluid as water, and he did rope tricks that would have made Roy Rogers envious. His wife, Jilllian Nyhan
Zygo, played Ado Annie to his Will, and the two were a hoot together."
Kathleen Allen--Arizona Daily Star
Jillian Nyhan as Ellie Mae Chiple in “Showboat”
“Equally a good couple in the comedic and performance sense is the very funny Jillian Nyhan and Danny Taylor as comic actress with aspirations of drama Ellie and bad guy-typecast Frank. The two do an excellent job with the showstopping “I Might Fall Back on You.” It is here that Dottie Lester-White’s choreography really shines.”
Mark S. P. Turvin – Gold Fish Publishers Mesa, AZ
Jillian Nyhan as Maureen / Queenie in “HONK!”
“Jillian Nyhan is cute both as Ida's best friend Maureen and as the domestic feline Queenie, where she is part of a funny pas de chat.”
Mark S. P. Turvin – Gold Fish Publishers Mesa, AZ
Jillian Nyhan Zygo as Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl"
"Star vehicles by nature can survive on only one great performance: Zygo proves the greatest star. Jillian Nyhan Zygo is a highlight for the company. She has a lovely voice, pretty spiffy comedic timing, and aces Brice’s character arc. Zygo has the accent, the pipes, and the grand facial expressions necessary to bring Fanny Brice to life. It’s one of the best performances of the season."
Mark S.P. Turvin -Goldfish Publishers
""Jillian Nyhan Zygo gives her all in a tirelessly energetic performance, (she) plays the part's broad humor best earning her share of genuine laughs." Chris Curcio - Arizona Republic
"Jillian Nyhan Zygo - singing the starring role of Fanny Brice, is everything the part calls for, and then some. Zygo's Brice lights up the stage, cavorting rambunctiously at times and at other times being vulnerable enough to let her character's insecurities show. Zygo fields just the right combo of pizazz, comic blase, a drive that approximates thoughtfulness, and a full measure of "gosh". She's believable as the woman who, falling in love with a gambler, has enough chutzpah to love him despite his obvious flaws. Zygo's amazing voice, delivering one of the most powerful love songs of the last century, "People", is textured with Streisand, especially in that songs most telling, sonorous moments."
Roberta Burnett - Arizona Republic
""In Jillian Nyhan Zygo, we have discovered a dynamo talent. Jillian is a skilled comedienne with a powerhouse voice." M. Seth Reines - Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
Jillian Nyhan Zygo as Georgie in "The Full Monty”
“Jillian, one of two ‘belters’ dazzles in her duet. The show delivers a powerful emotional punch in the true-blue, best intentioned heroism of the women. The performance of Zygo makes that frustrated, determined heroism real, not merely ideal. Watching her reminds you of what good people can be like.”
Dan Hagen – Sullivan News Progress
“Jillian Nyhan Zygo is excellent.”
Carl Lebovitz – Journal Gazette
“Jillian Nyhan Zygo plays Dave’s wife with effervescent charm and strong pipes.”
Kistler – Online Review
“Jillian Nyhan Zygo was so full of energy and life in “It’s A Woman’s World,” but she was able to switch it up for her other half as a woman who missed her husband physically.
Alicia Spates – Decatur Herald Review
“The women, particularly Jillian Nyhan Zygo who plays Georgie Bukatinsky, comes full circle from a “We’ll show you, you bums” attitude to one that is tender and caring as they realize what their big tough guys are going through.”
Anne Bellew – Sanibel Captiva Islander
Awards & Nominations for Jillian Nyhan Zygo
2005-2006 AriZoni Award Winner for Best Actress in Leading Role
as Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl"
2004 Goldy Award Winner – Best Supporting Actress-Musical – “HONK!” –
Broadway Palm West Dinner Theatre
2003-2004 AriZoni Award Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
as Ellie Mae Chiple in “Showboat"
2003-2004 AriZoni Award Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
as Maureen / Queenie in “HONK!”
