“As the romantic lead, mellifluous tenor Mr. Simpson is excellent as the suave and debonair, albeit morally suspect, American ‘capitalist’ who wins Ninotchka’s heart. His carefree performance and physical appearance harkens back to the matinee idols of the era – think Van Johnson or Danny Kaye.”

“Ian Simpson is smooth as Steve Canfield, the American talent agent who falls in love with Ninotchka.”

“The rest of the cast are all excellent. As Buddy’s father Walter, Ian Simpson at first comes off as gruff and understandably annoyed with the oddities of a tall clingy man in an elf suit. But even when he is at his meanest toward Buddy and his staff, Simpson suggests that Walter is reaching a breaking point that has more to do with work that has increasingly alienated him from his family than with Buddy. The scene where he finally acknowledges that Buddy really is his son is beautifully acted with a mixture of happiness, regret and surprise. Simpson subtly prepares us from the start for Walter’s big change of personality that occurs near the end.”

“Ian Simpson, who plays the priest Father Delisle, is a huge highlight. He shines through in the largest choral number which sees the whole cast crowded around old-fashioned radios listening keenly to broadcasters calling the shots at the Montreal forum.”

“the village priest, winningly played by Ian Simpson”

“Ian Simpson is PERFECT as Father Delisle. He is funny and on point and that glimmer in his eye just makes him incredibly believable and likeable in his role.”

“Of the four other major roles, we were impressed by Claire Lautier who plays Roch’s mom; Ian Simpson, the local priest/hockey coach Father Delisle; and Kate Blackburn, local schoolteacher Mlle Therrien”

“Ian Simpson is engaging as the rebel leader”

“As the dueling, dancing Trevors, Ian Simpson and Rena Wilson deliver excellent, high-energy performances as they kick and whirl their way through Zack Thomas Wilde’s superb choreography. They’re especially charming in their exuberant rendition of the standard Fascinating Rhythm”

“Ian Simpson (Dick Trevor) as the out-of-work brother – must have channeled Fred Astaire. He’s one of the best.”

“The three past lovers are played with great comic effect and singing acumen by Ian Simpson (Harry Bright) , Sam Carmichael (Tony Clements) and Bill Austin (Milo Shandel)”

“Ian Simpson and Milo Shandel complete the paternal trio and do their best to bring texture to more stereotypical characters.”

“Ian Simpson, as Harry, provide(s) comic relief.”

“As Arvide Abernathy, Ian Simpson has a lovely and touching moment with Adelaide in his ‘More I Cannot Wish You’. ”

“With a cast of 26 (!) 1776 eschews chest-thumping, cheap bravado. Instead we see historical figures such as John Adams (John Hickok), Benjamin Franklin (Andrew Boyer) and John Hancock (Ian Simpson) as everyday people with everyday problems – deciding whether or not to open the anteroom windows to alleviate some of that Pennsylvania heat at the risk of letting in flies, for instance, can become a rum-fueled throwdown.”

“Also impressive is how humanizing the show is for these historical figures we’ve all learned about from various dry angles and secondary sources since we were children. We see Franklin as simultaneously pompous, endearing, grouchy, and hedonistically inclined; we see Adams as sharply intelligent and witty, but socially inept, bombastic, and verbose; we see the president of the Congress, John Hancock (Ian Simpson), as both a fair-minded leader and exhausted herder of cats.”

“Ian Simpson as Sir Lionel (all) lend (their) strong voice(s) to the throng.”