“Zeller fans who know him from playing heavies like Oklahoma!’s Jud Frye or full-figured ladies like Hairspray’s Edna Turnblad or heroic figures like Les Miz’s Jean Valjean will delight in seeing the Los Angeles musical theater favorite in romantic lead mode, bringing resonant vocals and an authentic lumberjack manliness to Adam, whose less attractive misogynistic sides Zeller doesn’t shy away from revealing.”

“Huntington and Zeller’s great chemistry together is icing on the cake.” ~ LAStageScene.com

“The entire ensemble is outstanding led by Zeller and Huntington who make the roles their own. Zeller is a terrific character actor with a big burly look. Even with his stunning manly good looks, he is not a typical leading-man type, but manages to fill the bill surprisingly well, and proving himself a truly fine singer.” ~ BroadwayWorld.com

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“Glendale Centre Theatre has made the inspired decision of bringing back the one-and-only Sam Zeller to play Edna. And talk about versatility! Can you imagine seeing Fierstein—or any other Edna—as Les Miz’s Jean Valjean or Oklahoma!’s Jud Fry, roles which won Zeller two of his three Best Actor Scenies, the third being for guess who? Not only does Zeller make Edna fabulously his own creation (and a loving tribute to his Italian-American mom), he has added new layers to his already sensational performance since playing “big, blond(ish), and beautiful” Edna several years back. I wrote then that “looking like the lovechild of Lucille Ball and Jane Russell on steroids, Zeller’s stellar turn recalls Lucy’s comedic genius and Russell’s glamazon looks.” Ditto 2013, and then some. the duo do their scene-stealing Act Two song-and-dance to “(You’re) Timeless to Me,” I defy anyone in the audience not to declare these two MFEO.” ~ Steven Stanley, StageSceneLA

“Edna Turnblad is fabulously portrayed by Sam Zeller. Sam does the looks, the smiles and motherly concerns with such honesty that you’ll understand why Tracy has such a good upbringing. Kimmy really does a nice job on the opening number “Good Morning Baltimore” and then Sam and Kimmy really shine in “Welcome To The 60”s”. Pure fun! Sam and Scott are amazingly fun and charming when they do their song, “Your Timeless To Me”. They’ll warm your heart with a smile!”
Lorenzo Marchessi, Van Nuys News Press

“Sam Zeller beautifully played the very different role of Jean Valjean in PCPA’s LES MISERABLES–and once again he has some big shoes to fill. Edna Turnblad has been portrayed by the likes of drag artist Divine, Harvey Fierstein, and John Travolta. Add Zeller to this illustrious list. Zeller revels in hamming up the drag aspect, showing some leg and scoring huge laughs from the audience. But he’s also sympathetic as a woman who’s reluctantly discovering the freedom of the new decade she’s living in. “Welcome to the ’60’s” is one of the most joyous numbers.”
–Santa Barbara Sun

“No Hairspray can do John Waters justice without an Edna to fill the movie’s cross-dressing original’s “Divine” shoes, and in the sensational Sam Zeller, this Hairspray hits the bull’s-eye. Looking like the lovechild of Lucille Ball and Jane Russell on steroids, Zeller’s stellar turn recalls Lucy’s comedic genius and Russell’s glamazon looks. Larger than life (as any Edna worth her salt must be) yet never sacrificing the big, blond(ish), and beautiful lady’s tender side, the vocally blessed Zeller makes the part his own—and then some.”
–StageSceneLA.com

“Zeller is a hoot as the plus-size mother with a great hunger for her family’s happiness and for food. Zeller works well with Josh Machamer as Edna’s husband, Wilbur. Their scenes are touching and sweet.”
–Santa Maria Times

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“Tevye’s become such an icon, he’s often played as an epic in the flesh (à la Mostel, Topol, Bikel). Compared to these legendary performances, Sam Zeller’s Tevye is humble and real. His Tevye’s just a man: put-upon, torn between certainty and chaos, more than a mite irreverent, a lousy biblical scholar, but with an abiding humor.”
“Like a mailbox repeatedly stuffed with bad news, Zeller’s Tevye takes almost as many negative hits as Job. Zeller suffers each blow physically, as if the final one. A burly actor who tows his heavy cart like a tired ox, Zeller gives Tevye a (well-earned) resilience and adaptability. His weighing of factors (“on the other hand”; “on the other hand”) is a delight. If such a being were possible, he comes to resemble an impish Job.” ~ Jeff Smith San Diego Reader

“The production revolves around Tevye and would not be good without someone great. The Lamb’s found the powerful voice of Sam Zeller to fill the part. What a tremendous job. ~ Kathy Carpenter, San Diego Writeway

“A celebration of major proportions, robust Sam Zeller’s inner strength and fatherly love shows up in his every move.”
“Zeller’s Tevye has given us one of the most heartbreaking and poignant numbers of all, “Chavala.””
“Deborah Gilmour Smyth and Sam Zeller sing so very touchingly on “Do You Love Me?” and “Sunrise/Sunset” is a hauntingly thrill-chill center moment.” ~ Carol Davis, Examiner.com

“Sam Zeller’s Tevye, author Sholem Aleichem’s lovable Milkman as Yiddischer Everyman, brilliantly encompassed a host of contradictory stances—headstrong, judgemental, forgiving, cynical, pious—with evident ease and pleasure.” ~ Ken Herman San Diego Story

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Zeller’s Mr. Darling and Kim Crosby’s Mrs. Darling are well-done, wonderfully physically expressive and slightly larger than life, as they probably seem to their young, impressionable children.”
~ Rachel Sampson, Ft. Worth’s The Column

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“Sam Zeller brings real menace to giant ogre Pedro.” ~ Theatremania.com

“Sam Zeller’s head muleteer Pedro: a hulking, grimy animal of a man, round out the versatile supporting cast and ensemble.” ~ OC Register

“Worthy of mention is Sam Zeller, in the role of Pedro, whose muscular physicality makes a statement of its own, particularly in the scenes in which Aldonza is beaten by the men.” ~ Signal Tribune

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“The cast is lead by a strong character actor/singer from Los Angeles, Sam Zeller, who plays the lead ape Kerchak. Although he is the designated villain of the piece, because he sees Tarzan as a potential enemy, he manages to gain our sympathy as a caring leader, ready to defend his family at any cost. When the white hunter kills him, there are many tears shed in the audience.”

–Robert Machray, BlogCritics.com

“Zeller casts a perfectly burly, surly proud presence as the Tribe’s protector who knows full well what danger humans are capable of bringing.”
–The Independent

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–StageSceneLA.com

“Sam Zeller is a splendid galumphy surprise as Horton the Elephant, graceful, clumsy, and caring, just like in his book.”

“Horton and young Jojo blend voices beautifully for “Alone in the Universe.” The two are a pleasure to hear together.

–Stacey Morse, The Easy Reader

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“Of even greater note is Zeller’s amazing work as Jud. Here, the actor digs deep into Jud Fry’s profoundly troubled soul and warped sexual longings to create a breathtaking performance. His rendition of “Lonely Room,” in which Jud breaks down sobbing, is unforgettable.”
–StageSceneLA.com

“Zeller’s Jud is a memorable figure–the only one you’ll remember a year from now.”
–South Bay Easy Reader

The intense Sam Zeller makes the strongest impression as Jud Fry, showing the character’s orneriness, slow wits and dangerously obsessive love for Laurey. Zeller wisely adds pathos to his attractive Jud, making him a more credible rival to Curly.
–OC Register

Musical theater staple Sam Zeller is versatility personified. Here the affable actor completely disappears into the very scary skin of Judd, one truly menacing mountain of a man, and his solo “Lonely Room” showcases Zeller’s rich and powerful baritone. That Zeller has also played Curly in previous productions of Oklahoma! is further proof that this is one heck of a versatile performer.
–StageSceneLA.com

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“Sam Zeller’s signature performance of Jean Valjean was reminiscent of, and as grand as, Ted Neely’s performance in Jesus Christ Superstar! It was JUST that incredible!”
–Jay Turner, Program Director/Morning Show Host 102.5 FM

“The magnificent Sam Zeller is powerful as Jean Valjean.  He commands the stage and compellingly conveys his character’s emotional heartbreak…a veritable tour-de-force!”
—Brad Memberto, The Santa Maria Record

“Sam Zeller is a compelling Valjean; he conveys the tormented character’s anguish while successfully navigating the part’s enormous vocal demands.”
–Tom Jacobs, Santa Barbara Independent

“As Valjean, L.A. favorite Sam Zeller gives the performance of his career: briliant, epic work which showcases Zeller’s powerful acting chops and a fine tenor his frequent baritone roles don’t allow him to display.”
–Steven Stanley, StageSceneLA.com

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“Zeller is a raucously funny scene-stealer as narcissistic blowhard Gloriosus, and he blasts out his powerful singing voice with aplomb.”
–BackStage West

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