Musical Jahrbuch 2000
Fortunately they've found an ensemble for the Bremen production which perfectly fits with the musical demands of the show. At the centre of the plot is Ethan Freeman, who brings the vocally demanding roles of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde to life with selfless acting and a magnificent voice. Fine and intense, his voice floats over the soft moments of the score just to switch a few minutes later to the powerful and horrible timbre of an evil creature full of hate and a desire to kill. Freeman lives the role on stage, and when he brings all the evil into the audience by his voice, you feel pressed into your seat with drastic vehemence.

Webmaster's comment: Jörn
Alright, I was fortunate to see Ethan more then once in this role and it was always an outstanding, thrilling expierience. This role really forces the actor to go to the extreme and Ethan did it brilliantly. The credits he gained from the audience, press, colleauges and fans speak for themselves, as does the always returning question, if he'd ever do this again.

Webmaster's comment: Stacy
I've seen three different versions of this show, and 5 different men play Jekyll & Hyde, and Ethan is really in a league of his own. His voice is so expressive, and his acting is incredible. His Jekyll was very sympathetic, and his Hyde was genuinely scary! I feel so lucky to have had the chance to see it on stage!

The Guardian
...There are impressive performances from Ethan Freeman as the dubious art dealer...

The Independent
Louise Gold's voice lives up to her name, and is equalled by a combination of majestic poise and spontanous sense of fun. Equal pleasure is had from Ethan Freeman's confident treatment of the yearning ballad "West Wind"...

The Times
Ethan Freeman reveled as the predatory pluctorat Savory, and Michael Cantwell was a suitably gormless Rodney.

The Stage
More than 40 of our fellow Europeans were in the audience for the latest in Ian Marshall Fisher's invaluable series of Lost Musicals, and the object of their affection was Ethan Freeman, who has been playing the lead in the German premiere of Jekyll & Hyde. Freeman is exactly, bombastically right as New York art accumulator Whithelaw Savory in this piece.

Webmaster's Comment: Jörn
A wonderful evening with a real fine, amusing piece of theatre. This was very special since it was performed without any costumes, mics or sets. Simply a semi concert version where Ethan and the whole, hilarious cast did a great job in entertaining the 400 people at the Govent Garden Opera house.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Musicals "You can almost call it a role model for the profession of a musical perfomer: Ethan Freeman's interpretation of Pilate amazes in his very few appearances with a phenonemal intensity of singing and acting. Yet he always keeps the balance, he never ever overacts. Simply perfect!!!!!!"

Hamburger Habendblatt
Ethan Freeman brings vocal highlights as Mozart's father Leopold

Hamburger Morgenpost
Ethan Freeman impresses as the fame-hunting father

NRZ
Yngve Gasoy Romdal is convincing in the lead part, vocally as powerful are Ethan Freeman as father Leopold and Felix Martin as Colloredo

Musical Cocktail
Leopold, the father of Wolfgang played by Ethan Freeman, basically hasn't changed, although Freeman knows how to bring out some new sides of the character. Vocally he isn't challanged as he was in JEKYLL & HYDE, but he can present his acting abilities in a impressive way. His strong acting suprises, as does his accent-free German, which is more than important for an acting intensive role like this one. When Leopold is about to break during the second act, Freeman allows the audience to look into Leopold's inner thoughts and feelings so you can feel some sympathy for him. By reducing Colloredo to a lower level, Leopold becomes closer to the centre of the plot. So the role becomes more difficult and Freeman has no problem with that and proves why he is one of the greatest actors in the international musical scene. He is able to fill a supportive but very important role exactly and to expand it without influencing the other roles. In these circumstances, his song "Schließ Dein Herz in Eisen ein" appears almost like a bonus number to show his perfect singing abilities.

Berliner Morgenpost
What a sinister face! And how he yells out his "Bah Humbug"! Ethan Freeman as Ebeneezer Scrooge is evil! And he is great at it! Freeman is the star at "Vom Geist der Weihnacht", based on Charles Dickens "A christmas carol". As much as the helpful ghosts shake their chains and as many Angels are flying in the air, Scrooge overshines them all with his transformation from the heartless villian to a friend of mankind.

Berliner Zeitung
The performers, especially the protagonists, turn out to be perfectly cast: Ethan Freeman is an very strong acting and singing Scrooge. So is Günther Barton as Marley. Two powerful leads who surely have the energy to carry their quality over the upcoming 56 shows.

Märkische Allgemeine
Scrooge ( Ethan Freeman ) does not know the meaning of Christmas. All he knows is his profit and how to extend it. With each day his capital grows, so does the pressure on the cart rider and the worried mother who all owe him money grows and forces them on their knees. But Scrooge only knows the facts. He treats seasonal emotions with derision. "Humbug!" Ethan Freeman, experienced with the role of "The Phantom of the Opera" knows how to play the villian with the black coat and the crumpy hat. He physically slips into the character and he growls, curses, limps and falls over his own feet. He forces his Scrooge to the small line between the tyrant and the poor soul.

Webmaster's Comment: Jörn
This was fun. A wonderful touching show, perfect family entertainment for Christmas and Ethan proving his comical talent as Ebeneezer Scrooge.

„musicals“ Juni / Juli 2004
Ethan Freeman, performing with a wild furry wig during the 1st and 2nd act, creates an artwork of acting by changing convincingly from the sarcastic Assassin of the Church to a tender lover. With Lloyd Webber's Phantom, Freeman is familiar with the whole repertoire from seduction to despair and he easily leads and rules this production.

Oberbadisches Volksblatt, 4.5.2004
In the person of Ethan Freeman, a true musical expert can be seen in the leading role: lively, filled with expression and excellent in music and acting. His love duets with Adriana (Eveline Suter) and the Baronesse Lorraine (Michaela Christl) remain highlights.

Der Landbote, 11.Mai 2004
The black robes, the creepy coming out of night and mist, grandness and violence and everything that makes up the fantastic appearance of that tragic monster can be found in the German speaking premiere by the name of Ethan Freeman. Besides that, in all the colours of sorrow and coldness, passion and aggression of his baritone he is above all an intense musical figure.

Berner Zeitung, 3.Mai 2004
Ethan Freeman as Dracula transform from the medieval slaughterer to a cynical observer of the living world who rots inertly.

Musical Cocktail
In Basel Ethan Freeman gives an over the top performance in the lead role. He has a big and powerful visual appearance by nature and he earned cheers for his convincing and vocally-strong presentation of the different sides of Dracula. His despair to live without Adriana, his hate towards the Almighty during “Gott ween es Dich gibt” is so strongly suffering and sinister, it's just great to listen to it. As a merciless killer, as a cursed, never dying beast, or as an endlessly blood-hungry man who shows human emotions: Freeman is painting a portrait of his role with all of its faces and he does it with so much engagement and impulsivity that you never want to think of anyone else playing that role..

DaCapo
Freeman as the charismatic villian, as torn wanderer between good and evil, is without a doubt a perfect cast. As if the role was written specifically for him. He is the ruler of the stage universe. A strong personality full of powerful impressions, various faces, emotions and vocal power.

Musicals
Finally there is one reason why DRACULA in Tecklenburg IS indeed a "must see" show, and this reason is named Ethan Freeman. The fromer "Jekyll & Hyde" who already played the role of Dracula live in Basel and on CD, can play out each card of his amazing talent! Without any problems he convinces everyone with his strong acting; powerful and dangerous, his first scene at the church where the people are hiding. But what is most impressive is Freeman's grand voice which is able to go from a impressive bass up to falsetto. Brava!

Musicals Unlimited
The absolute highlight in Tecklenburg is Ethan Freeman in the title role. With an incomparable voice and very detailed acting (in which he reminds of the Phantom), he makes the best out of the role of Dracula.

That's Musical.de
First of all Ethan Freeman must be mentioned. The role of Dracula seems like it was written for him. He uses each face from the art of acting and enchants the audience with his wonderful voice. Without a doubt you can call him a perfect cast!

musicalzentrale
Ethan Freeman, who already played the title role in Basel, proves one more time why he is one of the leading perfomers in the German speaking areas. The balance between despair, madness, humanity, cruelness, love and hate are acted perfectly in each minute. Vocally he is, as usual, at his best and you don't long for anything more when you hear his wonderful baritone.

As Ché he is master of the plot at all times and he dominates the stage. Sometimes cool and cynical, sometimes desparate, he gives everything out of his talent. He also keeps his stage presence when he is not the focus, always ready to step in and to comment the scenes. He makes clever use of the various costumes and roles of Ché and gives a perfect act in each character. So you meet Mr. Hyde again during the "Waltz for Ché and Evita", when "the money keeps rolling in" Lucheni is recognized, and an act as Beggar profiles former scenes from "Jekyll & Hyde".

musicalzentrale
More than that, Freeman is vocally amazingly present and shows that he can also rock the house. Another bonus point is his excellent pronounciation. He is so easy to understand, some native speakers should be jealous.

That's Musical.de
Freeman is, without a doubt, one of those musical performers with the best reputation, especially in Germany. Perfect interpretations of his roles, in singing and acting, are granted. So it was also here with EVITA.

Musicals
Ethan Freeman as Ché was genius. As an actor who always has great stage presence, he is a dangerous revolutionary and a sarcastic opponent to Evita. His singing is simply phenomenal. Even in the big chorus songs like “A new Argentina” he can be heard!

DaCapo
He entered the stage and did what everbody was expecting. Where he had his great triumph with “Jekyll & Hyde”, Ethan Freeman returned with much enthusiasm, perfectly suited for the revolutionary Ché. Moody, ironic, humourous, aggressive but also very intelligent he played the role he already created 10 years ago in Schwäbisch Hall. It was a great joy to watch him lead the audience through the life of Eva Duarte.

thatsmusical.de
The role of the tortured genius, who was used as a carnival attraction during his childhood due to his deformed face, and who has settled down in the cellars of the Paris Opera house, seems to be written for Freeman. With passion and intensity, the current Phantom knows how to seduce the audience. Especially those scenes dealing with the Phantom's love for Christine are very touching. Lovesick, he falls into insanity, and tries to make the chorus girl a star, while winning her from her lover, Raoul Vicomte de Chagny. Freeman shows with his portrait what it means for an actor to identify himself with the role he plays. Seldom do you see that kind of deep, honest performance in those thrilling scenes of the murdering monster and the lonely man in love. Freeman kept his performance during the whole show at an impressive high level. No doubt the audience shivered during "Music of the Night" or "I gave you my music". And also vocally Freeman was completely convincing, he set a high standard for each Phantom to come, so it won't be very easy for any colleague to play the part after him. To see him was to see the role of the Phantom in a perfect symbiosis of an actor and a singer.

Musicals Unlimited
We must mention right off the top: Ethan Freemans performance brought the delighted audience to standing ovations that Freeman definitely deserved. The New York born artist, who has mainly been seen on German stages for some years now, brings the Phantom on stage in a way that's pretty much his own, farly different from previous actors yet not any worse at all. It's obvious that Freeman brings a lot of Phantom expierience to the Collosseum in Essen; his act has a perfect routine but still is not "played out". And so, there are fine details of his performance that can be enjoyed, for example Freeman's mimicing of Piangi's accent when they switch roles during "Point of No Return".
Vocally, Freeman convinced during his German Phantom premiere with a dynamic and variable voice. Also his acting conveys many nuances of a tortured soul and its development. He focuses his Phantom not on the insanity or the exalted aspects of a genius but on his true, human feelings. Ethan Freeman brings with big, soft gestures the emotions of the character into the very last seat of the theatre. That specific body language suits perfectly the mystical figure of the Phantom. Especially at the “Final lair”, the judging mark for the quality of a Phantom's performance, Freeman thrilled the audience so you could forget who the actor behind the famous mask is and only the character was present. So you were able to feel pity for the lonely creature that longs for love so much.

Musicals
10 years later, Freeman has become even more mature, more charismatic. His Phantom has such a strong stage presence, you can even feel it when he is not actually on stage. The demanding, big singing numbers are sung by Freeman without any difficulty; in the deep registers with his warm baritone as well as with a perfect falsetto in the high. He always impresses with his mighty voice. His "Music of the night" without a doubt, marks the show's highlight that makes the audience shiver and call out "bravo". Beside his excellent singing, Freeman also makes an act that puts some new ideas into the character after all these years. Different from his colleagues, Freeman's Phantom is not only a tortured, pitiful creature but also a man with very dangerous powers. Genius and madness lie so close together within Freeman's performance that you can hardly mark the boundary. So you respect his Angel of Music, you fear his insane murderer and finally you pity his hopeless and heartbreakingly fragile lover. When Freeman's Phantom must witness how happy his Christine is with Raoul, it seems like his pain is physically tangible. Of all those Phantom actors I've seen over the years, Ethan Freeman convinced me the most.

blickpunkt musical
Who would wonder if Freeman's sold out premiere perfomance was brilliant and that the final bow was honered with standing ovations and endless applause? From the very first moment, it is clear the the Phantom is no stranger to Ethan Freeman. He knows during the whole duration of the show how to make an impressive act of the torn personality with only his body language and his strong gestures. Vocally Freeman was good in act 1, but he even improved his intensity of his performance during act 2 and finally topped himself during the emotional highlight, the final lair, where he absolutely thrilled everybody. Physically and vocally he offers so much to the role of the Phantom that you wish Christine might go with him in the end.