Accolades
Zanna Don't!
The new Off-Broadway musical Zanna, Don't! directed by Devanand Janki opened at the John Houseman Theatre on the 20th of March 2003 to rave reviews. |
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"The director and choreographer, Devanand Janki, has paced the show just right, not at a breathless gallop but at a good brisk canter. And his dance numbers make highly entertaining ensemble use of performers who are not virtuosic dancers.
"... artistically the best I've seen in 10 years of covering theater. "
Bruce Weber, The New York Times
"... a lickety split production, smartly staged by Devanand Janki ..."
Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal
"... perky and adorable musical ..."
The New Yorker
"...lovably wacky ...
"...a show with an energy so pure and a heart so big that you can't help but be moved.
"...as hip as anything now on stage in New York.
"...the delirium rarely flags."
Justine Glanville, AP Arts Review
"... Janki's spirited staging and frolicsome spoof choreography offer a cure for gloomsters of all ages."
Michael Feingold, The Village Voice
"... audiences ... have gone wild for the director-choreographer Devanand Janki's staging. Show-stopping applause is not uncommon ... "
Kenneth Jones, Playbill
"I'm definitely a singer first", said actor Anika Larsen. "It's all because of Dev Janki and his choreography. He knows how to make you look good, make you like you know what you're doing, because honestly, I feel like a whole lot of the time I'm faking it."
quoted by Paul Lombardi, New York 1 News
"Devanand Janki has directed and choreographed the musical with creative zest..."
David Rothengerg, WBAI
"The pop songs ... pour forth with boundless energy, fueled by Devanand Janki's direction and choreography."
William Wolf, New York Calling
"... must-see musical.
"One of the most endearing and effervescent musicals in many a moon, there is nothing short of inspired theatrical pizzazz from every contributing talent ...
"... deliciously witty direction and super peppy choreography."
Chesley Plemmons, News-Times
"... crisp, pointed direction and delightful choreography ..."
Michael Portantiere, TheaterMania.com
"It's a good thing the eight actors are all young, because director/choreographer Devanand Janki has them dancing, skipping, and almost constantly in motion during the fast-moving show. His choreography is as bouncy as the songs, and his tight direction allows for no lulls in the upbeat story."
William Stevenson, Broadway.com
"Devanand Janki gives the show a zippy staging ..."
Backstage.com
"Devanand Janki’s direction and choreography gives the sense of the "let’s put on a show" mentality that underscores Zanna, Don’t!"
AmericanTheatre Web
"Bravi i sei attori, ben diretti da Devanand Janki. Un bel successo."
Mario Fratti, America Oggi ( = "America Today")
"... the Off-Broadway stage of the Houseman Theatre explodes into one of the happiest, cheeriest, zippiest musicals ever seen. Cynicism and irony wither beneath its sunny disposition, and like a tidal wave of cotton candy, the show overwhelms any resistance. The only way for the audience to survive is to swim along with the current and surrender to the world of the show."
Bill Roundy, The New York Blade
"... finely honed directorial talent ..."
Christopher Byrne, Gay City News
"Devanand Janki's direction and choreography is skilled and appropriate, controlling the small space well, and making the character changes (there's a fair bit of doubling, well-done) clear and snappy. Janki keeps the show tightly together in style, and is the equal of Acito's score in visual gags. The choreography uses the musical pastiche as a great leaping off point and is inventive and energetic."
Stewart Scott, Jayms Blonde 69
"The buoyant energy of Devanand Janki's staging and musical supervisor Edward G. Robinson's backbeat-driven arrangements spills over into an original cast CD of infectious verve and team spirit."
Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle
"Directed with passion and warmth by Devanand Janki, who also provides some inspired choreography, 'Zanna' soars on several occasions, mostly during the high-energy ensemble numbers."
Chris Reichheld, Washington Square News
The previous incarnation of Zanna, Don't! which ran at the Off-Off-Broadway Rodney Kirk Theatre during October-November 2002 netted the following admirations:
"Director-choreographer Devanand Janki has worked wonders with his staging and choreography on the postage-stamp-size stage."
Sara Bonisteel, New York Resident
"... director / choreographer Devanand Janki ... [adds] an extra measure of fun and energy ..."
Brad Bradley, Curtain Up
"... Skillfully directed and choreographed by Devanand Janki, Zanna, Don’t! ... packs enough energy from its tiny off-off Broadway stage to fill the largest Broadway theatre."
David Kinnerley, Gay City News
Cupid and Psyche"... the action is animated, as in a Disney cartoon, complimented by the exuberant choreography of Devanand Janki."Kevin Connell, nytheatre.com |
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"Director Timothy Childs and choreographer Devanand Janki seamlessly stitch one song, one moment, one laugh, to another and each cast member seems perfectly matched to his or her character ..."Jenn Hendricks, Show Business"The choreography by Devanand Janki is extremely lively."Seth Bisen-Hersh, TheatreScene.net |
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"Swiftly and smartly directed by Timothy Childs with playful choreography by Devanand Janki, Cupid & Psyche is indisputably a gift from the gods."David Hurst, Next Magazine |
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Funny Girl"... the choreography of Devanand Janki and Robert Tatad was mightily impressive, especially the 'Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat' number."Michael Portantiere, TheaterMania.com |
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Junie B. Jones"Choreographer Devanand Janki deploys the company wittily, ... , the young people howl with glee at the silliness while the adults laugh at the camp audacity of the creators and director Peter Flynn."Andy Propst, Backstage.com, 9 November 2005"Contributing to the show's buoyancy are its lively dance, choreographed by Devanand Janki, ..."Lawrence Van Gelder, The New York Times, 12 November 2005 |
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For the March 2008 remount of the show"Devanand Janki's choreography fits the characters and show well, emphasizing the boundless energy of childhood."Jena Tesse Fox, BroadwayWorld.com"Peter Flynn's staging and especially Janki's choreography seem appreciably sharper than in 2004"Steven Suskin, Variety |
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Henry & Mudge |
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"TheatreworksUSA's latest production is full of luxurious romps in the grass, tender caresses and big, wet kisses."Laurel Graeber, The New York Times"Devanand Janki's choreography reaches zany heights."Barbara Pasternack, TheatreworksUSA"... cheerfully entertaining time ... Director Peter Flynn and choreographer Devanand Janki have just the right light touch for the material ... injected with no end of playfulness."Matthew Murray, TalkinBroadway.com |
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"Choreography by Devanand Janki and the direction by Peter Flynn keep things humming along at a fine pace and keep the attention of the many children in the audience. It’s a really high spirited and animated production that everyone can enjoy."Oscar E Moore, Talk Entertainment"... sprightly choreographed by Devanand Janki."Harry Forbes, Backstage.com, 18 December 2006"... amusingly clever choreography by Devanand Janki ..."... Flynn and Janki keep 'Henry and Mudge' moving, with enough moments of hilarity to enthrall its young audience."Steven Suskin, Variety |
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Man of la Manchaat Jupiter Theatre, Florida"Flynn's directorial choices (some unique) and choreography by Devanand Janki freshen the experience for those who know it well as well as adding graphic new details."Jack Zink, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 19 February 2007"Devanand Jenki's choreography ... in the Moorish dance sequence is lovely, and the staging of the rape sequence is emotionally effective without being offensive."John Lariviere, TalkinBroadway.com |
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at John W. Engeman Theater, Northport, NY"... with dramatically charged choreography ..."Nainu Siegel, New York Times, 6 July 2008 |
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How Can you Run with a Shell on your Back?"... 'Shell' has been given an ideal production -- with director Peter Flynn and choreographer Devanand Janki boasting Broadway credits; musical director Lisa McQueen with Second City credits (and ace musicians), as well as seven ideally cast, top-of-the-line, high-energy adult actors to do the serious playing."Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times, 13 March 2007 |
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"With lively choreography by Devanand Janki and disarming, genuine performances, "Shell" amounts to one illuminating, engaging hour. Would that all new musicals detained us in such delightful fashion."Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald (Chicago), 10 July 2007"... staged with great invention by Director Peter Flynn and Choreographer Devanand Janki, the tales fairly burst to life and provide a winning family entertainment."Joe Stead, Steadstyle Chicago"... Devanand Janki's choreography is energetic and uses not only the stage and the aisles, but the seating areas as well. If you are looking for a fun time to share with your children (or grandchildren) this is it!"Al Bresloff, EpochTimes |
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The Full Monty |
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"The Full Monty ... is a drop-dead, hilarious, sexy, energetic, 90-plus minutes of pure unadulterated and adult-rated fun. It simply defies you not to have a good time." [Devanand Janki's] ... skill and expertise is witnessed throughout ... [and it] ... is a nearly letter-perfect show."Chet Williamson, Worcester Magazine |
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"Director / choreographer Devanand Janki, Music Director Fred Frabotta, and an amazing cast take us to the moon and back with the Foothills Theatre Company production of The Full Monty"This production should be a big hit ... As good as the acting is, the voices are even better."In the end, we get what we came for, but we also get a lot more. The Full Monty is full of talent, full of spirit, and full of fun."Nancy Grossman, BroadwayWorld.com |
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Bye Bye Big Guy" ... director-choreographer Devanand Janki keeps the lunatic asylum cavalcade moving along neatly and generally keeps things from slipping too far into the risky territory of overkill or fever pitch."Rob Lester, EDGE |
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"There's plenty of spirited direction and choreography from Devanand Janki ..."Matthew Murray, Talkin' Broadway |
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