New Conservatory Theatre Center's The Gentleman Caller
Reviews
"The unlikely hero of the tale is played by the exquisitely talented Brennan Pickman-Thoon, who wowed this critic in Timon of Athens and Phèdre. Comfortable with Shakespeare, Brennan delivers Williams' intelligent and oft naughty dialogue with a leisurely Southern drawl and rhythm that balances Inge's frenetic energy with a confident calm. It's another star turn by one of the Bay Area's finest actors."
"Brennan Pickman-Thoon quickly has us in the palms of his flighty hands with his delicious, hypnotic drawl that is of a Shakespearean quality in a Southern sort of way – a combination of vocal ebbs and flows that elevate that region’s oft-mimicked, oft-mocked accent to a level surprisingly beautiful and mesmerizing... Brennan alone is worth the price of the ticket in order to revel in his delightfully wicked, incredibly insightful interpretation of the early, wonderfully raw version of this later giant of American theatre."
"Pickman-Thoon is wonderful, slurping up the richness of the role Dawkins has created. Tennessee Williams gets almost all the laughs in the play, and Pickman-Thoon delivers the comedy with perfect timing, and an air of detachment that says "I don't care what you think about me, as long as you love me" that feels absolutely in tune with the character of the actual Tennessee Williams. This is a powerful personality, and Pickman-Thoon manages to express that power with a gentility and tenderness that belies its impact. His performance is a like a knife so sharp you don't know you've been cut until you see the blood pooling at your feet. When he tells Inge (after a clumsy attempt at intimacy) that "the point of hiding together is not having to hide when we're together," you could feel the audience falling in love with Williams."
"'Never work with animals or children,' drawls Brennan Pickman-Thoon before one of the exquisitely timed pauses that help make his turn as a Tennessee Williams in 'The Gentleman Caller' so compelling. He goes on, 'Or Bette Davis.' Then a shorter pause. 'Who is both.' ...Pickman-Thoon is all Southern smarm, effortless wit, poetic faux-profundity and tucked-away tenderness — an iconic, 'Tennessee's Greatest Hits' Williams."
Theatre Bay Area Nomination:
Performance by an Actor
in a Principal Role
SFBATCC Winner:
Performance by Principal Actor in a Play
Cutting Ball Theater's Timon of Athens
Theatre Bay Area Nomination:
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Principal Role
Reviews
“All these fine components support the star of this production, Brennan Pickman-Thoon. From the elegant suited philanthropist of the first act to the degraded, madman of the later scenes, Pickman-Thoon inhabits his character with a dedication that elevates his performance to lofty heights. It’s both a deeply introspective and athletic role and Brennan breathes life into this seldom seen character. Like Hamlet, Timon has the traits of a tortured soul and bares them to us with a vulnerability and rawness that is electrifying to behold. I had the opportunity to see Stephen Spinella’s two-time Tony-winning performance in Tony Kushner’s very Shakespearean-esque Angels in America. With Timon of Athens, Brennan Pickman-Thoon has his very own Prior Walter.”
“Fresh-faced Brennan Pickman-Thoon takes the lead and couldn't seem more natural if his livelihood actually did hang in the balance. The principle joys of Melrose's "Timon" lie in the smooth and confident way that Pickman-Thoon unveils the embroidered dialogue and his easygoing poise and comfort onstage. If ever a guy was born for a spotlight, this is him.“
“The transformation that Mr. Pickman-Thoon’s Timon undergoes as he withdraws to his own tent made of blue tarp outside the city walls is award-worthy. The anguish, despair, cynicism, and eventual revengeful anger that the now dirty, crouching, barely clothed Timon shows comes out in whispered words, breathy gasps, and invective diatribes that echo like thunder. The overall performance of Brennan Pickman-Thoon as Timon is well worth the price of the ticket and is certainly award-worthy.”
“The role itself is compelling and calls for great acting breadth. In this version, Brennan Pickman-Thoon’s portrayal is stellar, at one point depicting a business-like but blithe adherence to the social contract with ramrod assurance and later, with reptilian writhing, revealing contempt and rage for the values and people who surround him.”
“Timon’s misanthropic summary of his predicament is one of Shakespeare’s most famous monologues among actors, and can be a tour de force. The excellent Brennan Pickman-Thoon as Timon makes the most of his opportunity, delivering a memorable harangue. Keep an eye on him!”
"As Timon, Brennan Pickman-Thoon’s dynamite performance sets the pace for a grand group of actors. Masked and scantily clad women encircle the bros, as Timon dances center stage on a table. Pickman-Thoon’s energetic gyrations vibrate to the back rows."
Marin Theatre Company's Mother of the Maid
Reviews
"Scott Coopwood, Brennan Pickman-Thoon, Robert Sicular and Liz Sklar round out the ensemble, and Minadakis directs his first-rate cast with both finesse and drive, clarifying with precision what characters want, what their obstacles are and how that shifts with each new line."
"Brennan Pickman-Thoon further cements his position as a rising Bay Area stage star by treating us to a youthful exuberance that also, somehow, brings a level of gravitas to the role."
"Mr. Coopwood’s strong (if not always likeable) performance is matched by that of Brennan Pickman-Thoon as Joan’s brother, Pierre, who is the sometimes hot-headed, sometimes foolish-acting brother whose devotion and own loyalty to his sister is borne out as he joins her on the field of battle."
Cutting Ball Theater's Phèdre
SFBATCC Nomination: Best Actor in a Featured Role
Reviews
"Racine’s syntax is almost laughably complex, many sentences paragraphs in length, and only some cast members have the kind of expertise to distill complete clarity from these verbal labyrinths. Brennan Pickman-Thoon, as Hippolytus’ friend Theramene, is one. He delivers a monologue as if teaching a master class on its convoluted contents, but without a trace of pedantry. His character’s arguments and accounts land as if they’d been already lodged in your brain, needing only his perfectly calibrated spark to awaken from dormancy."
"Recent transplant from New York Brennan Pickman-Thoon rocks as Hippolytus's best friend Theramene. His big final speech describing Hippolytus's death is intelligently delivered. I hung on every word of his description."
Marin Shakespeare Company's Hamlet
Reviews
"Of the remaining cast, Brennan Pickman-Thoon is a standout as Hamlet’s friend and confidante, Horatio. He is an almost constant presence on stage, always paying the closest and most sympathetic attention. His love for his friend is palpable, and when he rushes to kill himself when it is clear Hamlet will die, we believe him. It is a great moment, and we feel the burden to which he bends when Hamlet insists he stay behind to tell the world the truth."
"Among Hamlet’s college buddies, Brennan Pickman-Thoon is an amiable Horatio, and Robyn Grahn and Ariel Zuckerman are an animated Rosencrantz and Guildenstern."
"Brennan Pickman-Thoon is rock-solid as Hamlet’s loyal friend Horatio."
Marin Shakespeare Company's Measure For Measure
Reviews
"In this tyrannical male-dominated system, Angelo grabs for power eagerly, a Puritan-in-Waiting. He is horribly eager to chop off the head of sympathetic young Claudio (heart-warming Brennan Pickman-Thoon) just because he got his fiancée pregnant! As Claudio, Pickman-Thoon creates a touching young man unjustly accused—victim of a dire penal system, like our own... In his cell, and in his orange prison-for-profit jump suit, Pickman-Thoon radiates honesty—as he debates with his sister Isabella (down to earth Luisa Frasconi) over his coming execution."
"Brennan Pickman-Thoon is amiably grounded as the condemned Claudio, who’s visible in his cell for most of the play in an interesting touch..."
Faultline Theater's #bros
ReviewS
"The cast gives outstanding performances. Brennan Pickman-Thoon is impressive as Dude, and Megan Wicks as Girl is extraordinary. They have good chemistry together."
"The terrific Brennan Pickman-Thoon plays the main “Dude”... He keeps Jeppson’s fast talking #BroScript moving."
"One of the more sensitive bros (wonderfully acted by Brennan Pickman-Thoon), wants to date Skye (Megan Wicks), a no-nonsense barista, but his white male sensitivity bothers her to no end."
Stanford Repertory Theater's Hecuba/Helen
Reviews
"Stanford Rep is known for their unique takes on challenging works, and this year’s production continues that tradition. The classics have survived through the years because of their relevance across the ages, and Rehm is a master at teasing out the lessons while providing engrossing entertainment. Don’t miss this production."
Boxcar Theater's The Speakeasy
Reviews
“Seeing” isn’t even the right word, since audiences get to explore the humongous, labyrinthine space, complete with secret passages and a two-way mirror, as if they, like the show’s characters, are sneaking into a Prohibition-era speakeasy for the night, the threat of a raid always looming. Hence the constant admonishment to “speak easy,” or just whisper.