ONCE on Broadway
"And because every member of the ensemble here is a musician, functioning as both the show's band and its cast of characters, this savory-sweet sadness feels both organic and universal... The supporting cast members are especially fine in their musical performances."
- Ben Brantley, New York Times
"Thirteen extraordinarily individual actor-musicians play their parts as well as fiddles, banjos and more exotic instruments."
- Linda Winer, Newsday
"Even more impressive, the ensemble doesn't miss a beat when it simultaneously plays and steps out to the impressionistic choreography by Steven Hoggett ('American Idiot')."
- Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Post
"Everyone plays at least one instrument and all are ace musicians and actors."
- Howard Shapiro, Philly.com
As "Drew" in ROCK OF AGES
"If I were Mr. Maroulis, I wouldn't let that happen again. Zygo makes a star turn if ever there were a star turn, and his fresh-scrubbed Mickey Rooney face, even sporting Ann Miller tresses, is terribly impressive and not soon forgotten."
- D.L. Groover, Houston Press
"His understudy - New Yorker J. Michael Zygo - did not disappoint. Actually, his shy, wholesome approach fit the role of Drew flawlessly. And he can scream those high notes. No regrets here."
- Joel Luks, Culture Map Houston
"The big news was supposed to be Constantine Maroulis re-creating his Tony-nominated role as Drew. But on opening night, he was out sick. Not to worry. Understudy J. Michael Zygo did a creditable job of sounding like an '80s rock singer, solid in the vocal department."
- Everett Evans, 29-95
As "Will Parker" in OKLAHOMA!
"There are so many fine actors, dancers and singers in this production. They all deserve standing ovations - especially Will Parker (J. Michael Zygo). His dancing reminds of Donald O'Connor. Now that's good company to keep. Bravo Will!"
- "Buzzin" Lee Hartgrave, BeyondChron.org, San Francisco
"J. Michael Zygo not only must make Will sing and dance superbly, but also do back-flips and rope tricks. It's the show's most difficult role, but Zygo is so matter-of-fact terrific that an audience might not realize that."
- Peter Filichia, New Jersey Star-Ledger
"Susan Stroman's choreography is taught and imaginative, peaking in the show's third number, 'Kansas City,' with J. Michael Zygo's astonishing turn as Will Parker. Mr. Zygo's performance comes off as the commanding male performance in the show."
- Glenn Kaufmann, Bloomington Herald Times
"J. Michael Zygo, who looks like an unassuming chap, tears up the stage as Will Parker, particularly with some fancy lariat work in 'Kansas City'."
- Leslie Katz, Oakland Tribune
"Zygo is an athletic dancer, able singer and a delightful actor who knows exactly where each of his character's laughs lie."
- E. Kyle Minor, New Haven Register
"In fact, secondary characters - particulary Will Parker (J. Michael Zygo) steal the show. Zygo (a roping virtuoso) sings a far more authentic drawl than his capable lead counterparts. His authenticity blends well with the earthy set design - and the patrons of the deep in the South."
- Eric Conno, Greenville News
"Action actually picks up as J. Michael Zygo wows the cast with Will Parker's wild accounts of 'Kansas City,' and some fancy dancing and rope spinning."
- George Walker, WFIU Radio
"J. Michael Zygo is a dynamite Will Parker."
- Joseph F. Caputo, Scranton Times Tribune
"J. Michael Zygo is a dancing and gymnastic machine who makes Will Parker a delight."
- Roy Berko, Cleveland Times Newspapers
As "Jerry" in THE FULL MONTY
"Leading man J. Michael Zygo is absolutely terrific as Jerry, with a gorgeous voice, full of warmth and color, and the acting chops to suggest he really is more comfortable playing basketball than dancing. Zygo alone is worth the price of admission, from his first note on 'Scrap' to his last note on 'Let It Go.' If there was anything remotely fair about the way the world works, this boy would be a big star."
- Kistler, Online Review
"And then there's J. Michael Zygo. He's tremendous. Not a false note there, in song or in acting. His seemingly effortless, understated performance brings home the reality of a regular guy trying to keep his spirits buoyed in a world that seems determined – with a cold industrial-strength efficiency – to grind him down to a fine powder."
- Dan Hagen, Sullivan News Progress
"J. Michael Zygo has an amazing and brilliant voice as Jerry Lukowski."
- Guy S. Little, Jr., The Community Record
"J. Michael Zygo also blew me away singing 'Man.' He could hit the high notes and hold a note well, showing off his aspirations of becoming a country music star."
- Alicia Spates, Decatur Herald Review
As "Malcolm" in THE FULL MONTY
"J. Michael Zygo - who aspires to country music fame and has an excellent full-band album of original country music under his belt - produces, perhaps, the biggest surprise of the cast - a lyrical tenor voice and a tenderly lyrical voice as he sings the gentle serenade 'You Walk With Me' near the end. What a contrast with the raucous country tones he produced post performance at his CD presentation."
- Anne Bellew, Sanibel Captiva Islander
As "Rooster" in ANNIE
"J. Michael Zygo, as Rooster, the bad guy, simply defines the role. He's funny and sleazy, with a really fine voice (and a "crow" better than Peter Pan's). Zygo displays a skilled dancer's crisp and graceful physicality."
- Steve Callahan, KMOX Radio
As "The Artful Dodger" in OLIVER
"J. Michael Zygo brings refreshing fun to his rollicking Artful Dodger. They also handle the tricky London cockney accents with understandable authenticity."
- Chris Curcio, Curtain Up Phoenix/KBAQ