BROADWAY WORLD (MAINE):
"Rios is warm and touching without being maudlin, and she brings a lovely dignity and poetry to the role that is the emotional heart of the play."
-Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold (BROADWAY WORLD)
Theatre Review for The Clean House (Portland Stage)
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD:
"The acting is first-rate [...] Rios embodies Ana’s links to a richness beyond the material."
-Steve Feeney (PORTLAND PRESS HERALD)
Theatre Review for The Clean House (Portland Stage)
BROADWAY WORLD (WASHINGTON, DC):
"Michelle Ríos gives a standout performance as Abuela Claudia. While reminding me of my own grandmother when she told me stories about Cuba, she serves as a perfect symbol of grandparents or even parents that immigrated to the United States in search of a better life, especially in her powerful rendition of Paciencia y Fé. She exudes an aura of nostalgia throughout the production, which made me both laugh and cry at her interactions with the rest of the cast."
-Vanessa Michaud (BROADWAY WORLD)
Theatre Review for In the Heights (Gala Hispanic Theatre)
DC THEATRE SCENE:
"What makes this production stand out and worth experiencing, even in you have seen In The Heights before, are the expressions of respect for the older generation. Distilled in the musical number “Paciencia Y Fe/Patience and Faith.” Abuela Claudia, sung by vibrant-voiced, impassioned mezzo Michelle Rios says it all. Respect for the wisdom from living longer and providing structure and guidance for upcoming youth. Respect for traditional values can push us forward to fulfill the American Dream."
-Rosalind Lacy (DC THEATRE SCENE)
Theatre Review for In the Heights (Gala Hispanic Theatre)
THE WASHINGTON POST:
"Michelle Rios brings melodious passion to the part of the barrio matriarch, Abuela Claudia."
-Peter Marks (THE WASHINGTON POST)
Theatre Review for In the Heights (Gala Hispanic Theatre)
LATINHEAT:
"Supporting cast Aden Young as conflicted Sheriff Randall Hunt and Michelle Rios as Flora, who works serves as interpreter at the Sheriff’s station and is Roy’s co-conspirator, turn in some solid performances."
-Bel Hernandez (LATINHEAT)
Review for Netflix film Frontera
METRO WEEKLY DC:
“…another of the show’s most striking visual and aural moments is the wailing "Ruega por Nosotros" featuring Michelle Rios as Lupe… Aranas and Rios stand out for the vibrancy and true sense of place that they bring to the stage.”
-Tom Avila (METRO WEEKLY)
Theatre Review for Giant (The Signature Theatre Company)
THE NEW YORK TIMES:
“Ms. Rios is almost supernatural as a woman in a frantic, despairing effort to channel her grief…”
-Bruce Weber (THE NEW YORK TIMES)
Theatre Review for Miriam's Flowers (INTAR)
“The only one in the cast who never changes character is Michelle Rios, whose Miss Fitz uses her vibrant soprano voice throughout to turn ridiculous confusion into romantic glory. Miss Fitz is also one of those angelic people who remind you that real angels are powerful and thus dangerous. Oh, well, it takes some such force to tame this swirl of wildness, and she does it magnificently. You can fall in love with Miss Fitz and be wholly virtuous about it.”
-D.J.R. Bruckner (THE NEW YORK TIMES)
Theatre Review for 'The Talking Band's' Bitterroot (LaMaMa, E.T.C.)
“Yalova’s mother, Peri, is a marvelous character, particularly in this vivid performance by Michelle Rios; it is clear why Yalova would love her and embrace her vision of the world. The woman’s mournful songs and romantic memories enthrall the girl; she fills the world with sacred immanence… Equally believable is Peri’s merciless realism. By turns cowering and violent, full-throated and wheedling, she tries to teach Yalova to scuttle away from danger.”
-Miriam Horn (THE NEW YORK TIMES)
Theatre Review for The Beauty Inside (New Georges Theatre / The Culture Project)
VARIETY:
“…Michelle Rios, Jonathan Raviv, and Michael Berry also offer impeccable support.”
-Frank Rizzo (VARIETY)
Theatre Review for The Light in the Piazza (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company)
BERKSHIRE FINE ARTS:
“…[the] Florentine mother is played by Michelle Rios and her all too brief moment in the spotlight quickly captured the audience’s heart…”
-Larry Murray (BERKSHIRE FINE ARTS)
Theatre Review for The Light in the Piazza (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company)
THE OFF OFF ONLINE REVIEW:
“…[its] soul belongs to Michelle Rios and her portrayal of Peri, Yalova’s mother… Rios’ Peri is at odds with herself, both a mother who wants to love and protect her daughter and a woman who is bound by tradition to protect her family’s honor. Rios creates a character who has levels within levels. She lends humanity to a character whose conscience forces her to defend a monstrous practice. Rios gives a stunningly intimate performance that you can’t take your eyes off.”
-Sean Michael O’Donnell (OFF OFF ONLINE REVIEW)
Theatre Review for The Beauty Inside (New Georges Theatre / The Culture Project)
A CURTAIN UP REVIEW:
“Michelle Rios makes the strongest impression as the mother who has squelched her own maternal instincts in conformity to family tradition.”
-Elyse Sommer (A CURTAIN UP REVIEW)
Theatre Review for The Beauty Inside (New Georges Theatre / The Culture Project)
“The pained weakness of both parents is portrayed poignantly and effectively by Molina and Rios. Ms. Rios's performance is excruciatingly memorable.”
-Les Gutman (A CURTAIN UP REVIEW)
Theatre Review for Unmerciful Good Fortune (INTAR)
CREATIVE LOAFING ATLANTA:
“As Skinny Woman, Rios reveals a remarkably affecting and throaty voice. Her delivery isn’t particularly loud or musical, but it conveys a quiet suffering and longing for simple needs. Your heart goes out to her whenever she utters a sentence.”
-Curt Holman (CREATIVE LOAFING ATLANTA)
Theatre Review for Sleepwalkers (The Alliance Theatre Company)
PALM BEACH POST:
“…Rios succeeded in the ballad Losing my Mind from Sondheim’s Follies. Vocal warmth and intensity made the song’s distress palpable.”
-Sharon McDaniel (PALM BEACH POST)
Palm Beach Symphony Pops Concert Review
"Rios is warm and touching without being maudlin, and she brings a lovely dignity and poetry to the role that is the emotional heart of the play."
-Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold (BROADWAY WORLD)
Theatre Review for The Clean House (Portland Stage)
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD:
"The acting is first-rate [...] Rios embodies Ana’s links to a richness beyond the material."
-Steve Feeney (PORTLAND PRESS HERALD)
Theatre Review for The Clean House (Portland Stage)
BROADWAY WORLD (WASHINGTON, DC):
"Michelle Ríos gives a standout performance as Abuela Claudia. While reminding me of my own grandmother when she told me stories about Cuba, she serves as a perfect symbol of grandparents or even parents that immigrated to the United States in search of a better life, especially in her powerful rendition of Paciencia y Fé. She exudes an aura of nostalgia throughout the production, which made me both laugh and cry at her interactions with the rest of the cast."
-Vanessa Michaud (BROADWAY WORLD)
Theatre Review for In the Heights (Gala Hispanic Theatre)
DC THEATRE SCENE:
"What makes this production stand out and worth experiencing, even in you have seen In The Heights before, are the expressions of respect for the older generation. Distilled in the musical number “Paciencia Y Fe/Patience and Faith.” Abuela Claudia, sung by vibrant-voiced, impassioned mezzo Michelle Rios says it all. Respect for the wisdom from living longer and providing structure and guidance for upcoming youth. Respect for traditional values can push us forward to fulfill the American Dream."
-Rosalind Lacy (DC THEATRE SCENE)
Theatre Review for In the Heights (Gala Hispanic Theatre)
THE WASHINGTON POST:
"Michelle Rios brings melodious passion to the part of the barrio matriarch, Abuela Claudia."
-Peter Marks (THE WASHINGTON POST)
Theatre Review for In the Heights (Gala Hispanic Theatre)
LATINHEAT:
"Supporting cast Aden Young as conflicted Sheriff Randall Hunt and Michelle Rios as Flora, who works serves as interpreter at the Sheriff’s station and is Roy’s co-conspirator, turn in some solid performances."
-Bel Hernandez (LATINHEAT)
Review for Netflix film Frontera
METRO WEEKLY DC:
“…another of the show’s most striking visual and aural moments is the wailing "Ruega por Nosotros" featuring Michelle Rios as Lupe… Aranas and Rios stand out for the vibrancy and true sense of place that they bring to the stage.”
-Tom Avila (METRO WEEKLY)
Theatre Review for Giant (The Signature Theatre Company)
THE NEW YORK TIMES:
“Ms. Rios is almost supernatural as a woman in a frantic, despairing effort to channel her grief…”
-Bruce Weber (THE NEW YORK TIMES)
Theatre Review for Miriam's Flowers (INTAR)
“The only one in the cast who never changes character is Michelle Rios, whose Miss Fitz uses her vibrant soprano voice throughout to turn ridiculous confusion into romantic glory. Miss Fitz is also one of those angelic people who remind you that real angels are powerful and thus dangerous. Oh, well, it takes some such force to tame this swirl of wildness, and she does it magnificently. You can fall in love with Miss Fitz and be wholly virtuous about it.”
-D.J.R. Bruckner (THE NEW YORK TIMES)
Theatre Review for 'The Talking Band's' Bitterroot (LaMaMa, E.T.C.)
“Yalova’s mother, Peri, is a marvelous character, particularly in this vivid performance by Michelle Rios; it is clear why Yalova would love her and embrace her vision of the world. The woman’s mournful songs and romantic memories enthrall the girl; she fills the world with sacred immanence… Equally believable is Peri’s merciless realism. By turns cowering and violent, full-throated and wheedling, she tries to teach Yalova to scuttle away from danger.”
-Miriam Horn (THE NEW YORK TIMES)
Theatre Review for The Beauty Inside (New Georges Theatre / The Culture Project)
VARIETY:
“…Michelle Rios, Jonathan Raviv, and Michael Berry also offer impeccable support.”
-Frank Rizzo (VARIETY)
Theatre Review for The Light in the Piazza (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company)
BERKSHIRE FINE ARTS:
“…[the] Florentine mother is played by Michelle Rios and her all too brief moment in the spotlight quickly captured the audience’s heart…”
-Larry Murray (BERKSHIRE FINE ARTS)
Theatre Review for The Light in the Piazza (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company)
THE OFF OFF ONLINE REVIEW:
“…[its] soul belongs to Michelle Rios and her portrayal of Peri, Yalova’s mother… Rios’ Peri is at odds with herself, both a mother who wants to love and protect her daughter and a woman who is bound by tradition to protect her family’s honor. Rios creates a character who has levels within levels. She lends humanity to a character whose conscience forces her to defend a monstrous practice. Rios gives a stunningly intimate performance that you can’t take your eyes off.”
-Sean Michael O’Donnell (OFF OFF ONLINE REVIEW)
Theatre Review for The Beauty Inside (New Georges Theatre / The Culture Project)
A CURTAIN UP REVIEW:
“Michelle Rios makes the strongest impression as the mother who has squelched her own maternal instincts in conformity to family tradition.”
-Elyse Sommer (A CURTAIN UP REVIEW)
Theatre Review for The Beauty Inside (New Georges Theatre / The Culture Project)
“The pained weakness of both parents is portrayed poignantly and effectively by Molina and Rios. Ms. Rios's performance is excruciatingly memorable.”
-Les Gutman (A CURTAIN UP REVIEW)
Theatre Review for Unmerciful Good Fortune (INTAR)
CREATIVE LOAFING ATLANTA:
“As Skinny Woman, Rios reveals a remarkably affecting and throaty voice. Her delivery isn’t particularly loud or musical, but it conveys a quiet suffering and longing for simple needs. Your heart goes out to her whenever she utters a sentence.”
-Curt Holman (CREATIVE LOAFING ATLANTA)
Theatre Review for Sleepwalkers (The Alliance Theatre Company)
PALM BEACH POST:
“…Rios succeeded in the ballad Losing my Mind from Sondheim’s Follies. Vocal warmth and intensity made the song’s distress palpable.”
-Sharon McDaniel (PALM BEACH POST)
Palm Beach Symphony Pops Concert Review
