Rhona Silverbush, Author
Speak The Speech; Shakespeare's Monologues Illuminated
"I can endorse Tom and his directing skills unequivocally. As an audience member who has some additional insights into the material I’ve seen him direct, I can say that his productions were clearly directed by a talented director with a sure hand, and all had a real cohesion to them. They “gelled.” Each had a confident and clear vision that was thoughtful and that supported the text and helped it shine. The actors were always clearly directed -- it was evident that they were never left to flounder -- they had clear actions that made each scene cohere and that moved forward their individual objectives and the overarching plot and themes. The actors were always stylistically aligned with one another. The text was always plumbed for nuggets, for those small additional opportunities that further supported the actors and the action. Design choices were always strong and never gratuitous. Even interstitials and transitions between scenes had been thought out and strengthened the productions. In short, every production I’ve seen that Tom has directed has been smart. And the actors have shown an underlying joy in the work they were doing together that further elevated the productions."
Rebecca Zaccagnino, Producer
Holmdel Theatre Company
"Tom is one of my go-to directors. His theatrical projects always employ a poetic conceit and creative overarching vision. He comes to the table with a perennial positive attitude and approachable demeanor. He is fastidious in his work ethic and always takes the extra time to consider every scene from every possible character and angle."
Jessica Damrow Sherman, Producer
Circle Players
"Tom never stops. He is always looking to make everything better - the scenework, the costumes, the lighting, the set, even the comradery amongst cast and crew! He walks into your first meeting with a clear vision, but looks forward to total collaboration. He has a keen eye for casting, and never takes the easy way out. He's also a ton of fun in the rehearsal room - lots of energy, a clear agenda and a genuine, infectious passion for doing exactly what he's doing."
Joe DeVico, Producer, President
The Chatham Community Players
"Tom Frascatore is not only a careful and detailed director, but has a true passion for theater that helps bring a cast and crew together to elevate the final product to more than the simple sum of its parts. As a producer, his focused input and requests along with his image ability to make necessary changes as the situation dictates made the production process not just easier than usual, but an actual pleasure."
Geoff Shields, Producer
Holmdel Theatre Company
"I've been working in theater for over forty years. In that time, I've performed, produced, stage managed a couple of hundred productions. After all those shows, and years and jobs, here is the distillation of what I've learned about directors. (This won't take long.) There is Tom Frascatore, and then there is everyone else.
I've never seen Tom hit a brick wall when directing a production. Never. Not in 22 years. If you cast a brick wall in one of his shows, he would not just make it work; he would make that wall SHINE.
Tom is fearless; utterly without ego. He doesn't simply pretend to listen to his actors' ideas...he helps develop those ideas, then employs them in rehearsal, making adjustments, providing time and energy to see if the idea can work. It is exhilarating."
Laurie Edwards, Producer
Phoenix Productions
"Tom Frascatore is my "go-to" director whom I entrust with any show I am producing. Tom is immaculate in his research, diving deep into plot and character. Whether he is working with professional actors and staff, children or volunteers, Tom has a very kind manner in which he works -- which brings out the most in his team. The outcome is always extraordinary. I trust him implicitly and would recommend him, always."
James Weeks MA, Contemporary Acting, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, AEA
"In my time working with Tom Frascatore – on three plays, including both a Shakespeare and a new work – I’ve found him to be a responsive and considerate director. He comes into each show with a thorough understanding of the script (and the different possibilities contained within), and has made solid decisions as to how he will build the show he wants. That said, he listens to the actors in his cast, and is willing to discard his game plan, if an actor can make a case – textual, emotional, or simply process-based – for a change. I don’t mean to suggest that Tom and I see completely eye-to-eye – as we rehearse, I’ll push him to adjust a moment, or I’ll disagree with an interpretation of the text. But I’ve always found him responsive to my concerns, and happy to change if I can make a real case for an adjustment (even if my case is ‘it’s not working this way, but I think I can make it work that way’). Sometimes, when I’m tinkering, I’ll find that something I was convinced of actually doesn’t work, and I’ll return to our earlier choice. Tom is a pragmatist; he knows to allow me to experiment, and if something works better, he’ll go with it (and if it doesn’t, we’ll usually both know it). That pragmatism extends to the production side, as well; if a budget shrinks, he’ll find a way to make the show work on a smaller budget. If he suddenly has more flexibility, he’ll use it in a way that enhances the show. Tom prepares to a high level of quality, knows how he will put his ideas into practice, but is willing to change to better suit his co-creators and the production. You don’t always find that combination in directors.
Also worth noting: Tom has a keenly honed sense of comedy and timing, and knows how to direct an actor to hit the precise timing required. Again, that’s not a foregone conclusion with most directors, and I wanted to note it."
T. Michael Vest, Author
Co-Founder, TSquared Production Company
"Tom Frascatore’s care for the craft of theatre and art of storytelling make him an asset at the helm of any play, especially a new work. He is always asking the right questions — questions that deepen and enrich the story lying at the heart of each draft. It’s a rare gift to find a director who can coax such clear and honest humanity from the pages of an unfinished script."
Adam Neary, Executive Producer
Playhouse 22
"Tom is an extraordinarily talented director. With ease, I have seen him master the comedy of Mel Brooks' "The Producers" as well as the seriousness of David Auburn's "Proof". He is creative, intelligent and thoughtful. More importantly, as a producer, he brings unquestionable energy to the production and approaches each piece with undeniable passion."
Laurie Devino, Managing Director, Artistic Director
Holmdel Theatre Company
"I have worked with Tom in just about every capacity at the Holmdel Theater Company over the past eight years. It is our working together as Producer and Director that I find most rewarding. Our Shakespeare productions are especially memorable thanks to Tom's enthusiasm for and expertise in Shakespeare's plays. He stages these productions in unique settings and time periods. However, unlike many directors who make these choices for the sake of being different, Tom's vision is always thought through completely and justified by the text. His passion for the Bard is quickly absorbed by his actors. He takes time and care and is always available to his actors to examine even the tiniest of moments. Tom enters into his first meeting with the production team with a clear vision, yet still works collaboratively so that each member can do his or her best work.
Tom is the hardest working and most prepared Director I work with. He is an asset to any theater company that is fortunate enough to have him."
Christyn Budzyna, Producer, Lyricist
"I’ve been very privileged to work with Tom in a couple of different capacities: as a writer, and as his assistant director. Tom is absolutely delightful to work with and comes to each project with tons of creativity and a collaborative spirit. He has a special talent for getting great performances out of actors. I’ve always particularly admired his sense of comedic timing. I highly recommend him as a director!"
Wendy Dobbs, Producer, Trustee
Phoenix Productions
"It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Tom Frascatore as a director. I have had the honor and pleasure of working with Tom on many occasions and would hire him to direct again in a heartbeat. He brings a level of excellence and enthusiasm that is rarely matched. He is prepared, organized, creative and successful in telling the story. He has directed several shows for our theater company, and they had the depth and vision of a Broadway quality production.
He is detailed oriented, passionate and possesses communication skills that reach his cast, crew and the audience.
Tom can direct in a theater that holds thousands and yet, when you are experiencing his creative genius, you feel as though he is directing a performance that is meant for you. He not only directs the actors but designs the production entirely and can orchestrate the technical staff to achieve the best effects to illuminate any size stage.
Actors who work with Tom, grow and learn as well as feel comfortable bringing their years of experience to the stage because Tom listens and transfers their strengths with them to and from the written word.
He has directed some of the best shows ever, with a range from the dramatic to the lighter musical genre and all of them were done well.
He is a pleasure to work with and know, he is truly talented, and any company would be lucky to have him on its staff. Please feel free to reach out to me for any more information that I can offer. I have been producing major musicals for30 years, with audiences in the thousands and Tom was a director that was outstanding and a joy to know."
Tess Ammerman AEA, MA, Classical Acting, RCS Speech and Drama
Co-Founder, TSquared Production Company
"TSquared hired Tom Frascatore to direct our first full length production at the Philadelphia Fringe in 2019.
As producers and creatives, we knew an original piece would need someone at it’s helm whose knowledge and instinct about text (and how text informs character) was near encyclopedic.
Additionally, we recognised that our director would need to give feedback that informed rewrites and pinpointed where the text and character needed to improve.
Mr. Frascatore exceeded expectations. His input before and during rehearsals was invaluable and because of this, he continues to collaborate with us on this project as it develops.
As our theatre company grew, we invited Mr. Frascatore to be a member of our staff. He currently holds the position of Artistic Advisor, and helps us to develop our seasons and evolve our brand."
