Head Over Heels (2020)
“Choreographers Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack apply inspired movement to Tom Kitt’s arrangements of Go-Go’s songs, and the New Line Band – led by music director and keyboardist Nicolas Valdez — lends the show an in-the-moment electricity...” - Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“…a nod to the powerful New Line Band under the direction of Nicolas Valdez who manage to keep up with the incredible nonsense swirling around on stage. Not to be missed, Head Over Heels is one of the best shows you’re likely to see all year (and it’s only March!). Get thee to New Line Theatre.” - Steve Allen, StageDoorSTL
“The music, as mentioned previously, is sensational – thanks to the New Line Band, lead by Nicolas Valdez....” - Kevin Brackett, ReviewSTL
“The toe-tapping rhythms in the Go-Go’s music infuses the production substantially thanks to the focused attention to detail by the New Line band under keyboardist Nicolas Valdez’ studied conducting.” - Mark Bretz, Ladue News
Songs for Nobodies (2020)
“Music Director Nicolas Valdez, who also plays piano, superbly conducts the one-woman show. He is joined by Jake Stergos on bass and Keith Bowman on percussion.” - Lynn Venhaus, PopLifeSTL
“Lennon was invaluably assisted on opening night by music director Nicolas Valdez at the piano, Jake Stergos on bass and percussionist Keith Bowman…” - Mark Bretz, Ladue News
“Backing Ms. Lennon up is a first-rate trio of local musicians led by pianist and music director Nicolas Valdez. The night I attended, Jake Stergos played bass with Keith Bowman on percussion…” - Chuck Lavazzi, Stage Left
“There’s also excellent atmospheric work from lighting designer Tony Anselmo, proficient sound from Phillip Evans, and an excellent musical ensemble led by music director and pianist Nicolas Valdez and featuring Jake Stergos on bass and Keith Bowman on percussion.” - Michelle Kenyon, Snoop’s Theatre Thoughts
Cry-Baby (2019)
“Nicolas Valdez conducts the New Line Band in fine, spirited style. Valdez smoothly handles the keyboard with Jake Heberlie on lead guitar, guitarist Aaron Doerr, Joseph Hendricks on reeds, percussionist Clancy Newell and Jake Stergos on bass, all situated off stage left. Valdez and
“Nicolas Valdez and Marc Vincent provide music direction that adds to the fun. And, though none of the songs are sure hits, the harmonies are tight and pleasing and numbers like “I’m Infected,” “Nobody Gets Me,” “Jukebox Jamboree” (and it’s counterpart “Jailhouse Jamboree”), and “Baby, Baby, Baby, Baby (Baby, Baby)” are infectious and catchy.” - Tina Farmer, KDHX
“Full marks… go to co-music director/keyboardist Nicolas Valdez and his four-piece band, who perform the show's old-school rock & roll with power and grace.” - Paul Frisworld, Riverfront Times
“The rockin' New Line Band, directed by Nicolas Valdez… greets us cleverly in the overture which sets the tone for the evening.” - Tanya Seale, Broadwayworld.com
“There is great music in the show, and the New Line Band sounds better than ever with the rockabilly score. The original Broadway composition called for a full orchestra, but it was modified to accommodate a smaller band when the theatre company wanted to put on the first regional production. Under the direction of Nicolas Valdez and Marc Vincent, the 50s vibes flourish.” - Kevin Brackett, Reviewstl.com
Be More Chill (2019)
“The simplicity of the music, with its repetitive lyrics and catchy hooks, is deceptive, for music director Nicolas Valdez and his ace band – Assistant music director Marc Vincent as conductor/keyboard, Jake Heberlie on guitar, Joseph Henricks on reeds and keyboard, Clancy Newell on percussion and Jake Stergos on bass are extremely tight in pacing and master the score’s intricacies.” - Lynn Venhaus, STL Limelight
“Musical director Nicolas Valdez and conductor Marc Vincent provide driving arrangements that keep the pace quick while complementing the individual voices and shared harmonies.” - Tina Farmer, KDHX
“The New Line Band - with Marc Vincent as conductor and on keyboard, Jake Heberlie on guitar, Joseph Hendricks on reeds and keyboard, Clancy Newell on percussion, and Jake Stergos on bass - flanks the stage on both sides and sounds incredible.” - Tanya Seale, Broadwayworld.com
La Cage Aux Folles (2019)
“Stylish, spirited and spectacular, La Cage aux Folles is the kind of show at which New Line Theatre excels. Co-directors Scott Miller and Mike Dowdy-Windsor elicit laughs and whip up an atmosphere of barely controlled hysteria without shortchanging the more poignant moments in the book by Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots) and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!). And music director Nicolas Valdez and choreographers Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack are thoroughly in sync with the show’s madcap demands. . . La Cage aux Folles premiered on Broadway in 1983. Decades later, the show continues to thrill and delight – and hasn’t aged a bit.” – Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“When New Line Theatre sets aside its Sondheim and puts on a bright and florid Jerry Herman show like 1983’s La Cage aux Folles, director Scott Miller’s expertise tempers the entire project – underpinning a delirious drag fantasia with moments that can be heartbreakingly grim, and which are deeply authentic. And by making the lows so resonant, the high moments gain an almost crystalline clarity. Thanks to music director Nicolas Valdez, choreographers Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack, and the back-up singers (Les Cagelles) on stage, La Cage still sings and dances and shrieks like mad.” – Richard Green, TalkinBroadway
Anything Goes (2018)
“At New Line, Anything Goes looks funnier, sharper and smarter than you may remember. . . a spectacular treat for lovers of modern musical theater. . . .Anything Goes is not to be missed. A must for New Line fans and a great introduction to the troupe for newcomers, this spirited, in-your-face production of the Cole Porter classic feels as sharp as the needle on a new Victrola. . . The whole cast shines in this laugh-out-loud production, frequently punctuated by music (thanks to conductor Nicolas Valdez and a smart little band) and dance (thanks to choreographers Michelle Sauer and Sara Rae Womack). From the evangelism parody 'Blow, Gabriel, Blow' to the hilarious encouragement Moonface offers Billy in 'Be Like the Bluebird,' New Line's Anything Goes provides non-stop entertainment without ever getting serious.” – Judith Newmark, St. Louis Post-Dispatch