Reviews

THEATER REVIEWS

from THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (Yale Repertory Theater As “Kate”)

“…(the production) lifts the Yale Rep season to its high point, thanks in large part to Lamos’ collaboration with Ramon de Ocampo, who delivers a wonderfully modulated and deeply compelling characterization as Katherina… his performance proves vital to the success of a production with much else to commend it. The great value of his acting derives from his utter refusal to camp or to exaggerate female mannerisms…he is funny as she fumes, passionate as she yields…both real, and deceiving. In the great final speech (he) rises to the comic catharsis magnificently, with fire and eloquence.” – Malcolm Johnson, Hartford Courant

“de Ocampo, a potent performer…takes the role of Kate with aplomb and uncampy femininity.” – Markland Taylor, Variety

“…Kate is played superbly by Ramon de Ocampo…” – Joanne Greco Rochman, Stage Struck, Waterbury Republican- American

"...Ramon de Ocampo did not ocampo'd it up as Kate in Mark Lamos' sometimes sassy, sometimes silly production of "Taming of the Shrew." While de Ocampo had as much fun as anyone in the comic scenes...it was in Kate's quieter moments that were the most effective. He had us at "Hola."-Frank Rizzo, Hartford Courant, 2002-2003 Defining Moments on Stage.

"...de Ocampo’s work was so well rounded and deep that you got lost in the brilliant acting..."-Frank Rizzo, Hartford Courant, 2002-2003 Defining Moments on Stage.

from DOGEATERS (Kirk Douglas Theatre/ NYSF as “Joey”)

“... exception(al) is Joey Sands (Ramon de Ocampo) a rent boy and junkie determined to pull himself out of chaos through an assignation with visiting satyr Rainer Fassbinder. De Ocampo's intensity is welcome..." --Bob Verini, Daily Variety

“...The actors...disappear into each role with authentic accents and quirky physicalities. Especially noteworthy among the gifted cast are...Ramón de Ocampo as a deejay and callboy...” -- Backstage West Critics pick

“...One of the many subplots involves... young hustler (and junkie) Joey Sands- the superb Ramon De Ocampo...”
- Steven Lieberman, Culver Observer

“...The entire ensemble, of what seems like a cast of hundreds, is marvelous: from Joey Sands, the hustler poignantly played by Ramon de Ocampo...” -- Bill Kaiser, On the Purple Circuit

“(Ramon de Ocampo’s) Joey Sands is a pivotal character...charming, ruthless, full of cunning and devoid of remorse. He's a tragic figure” - OC Register

“…particularly exciting in the large ensemble were Alec Mapa and Ramon de Ocampo as a hustler caught in a power struggle…” – David Sheward, Backstage (Dogeaters, New York Public Theater production, as “Joey”)

from: THE ROMANCE OF MAGNO RUBIO (as “Atoy/ Clarabelle”) (Off Broadway NYC, Ma-Yi Theater co, DR2 theater)

“Clarabelle is hilariously portrayed by Ramon de Ocampo.” – Roy Sorrels, culturevulture.net

“…Clarabelle’s voice is channeled through standout de Ocampo, who in a deep southern drawl laden with sarcasm and deceit slowly unravels her true nature.” – Katie Riegel, Broadway.com

“…her unctuous southern trash drawl is voiced brilliantly by Ramon de Ocampo, who also plays Atoy.” – Arlene McKanic, Greenwich Village Gazette

(at the Cultural Center of the Philippines)

“…excellent work turned in by Ramon de Ocampo in the play of the year!” – Nestor U. Torre, Philippine Daily Inquirer

“…intense…vibrant!”— Rosalind L. Orosa, The Philippine Star

“…Atoy, perceptively interpreted by Ramon de Ocampo who also played the voice of Clarabelle with such success that the audience showed their approval with wild applause…” – Juan Antonio Lanuza, Business World

(at the Laguna Playhouse)

“…most enjoyable is Ramon de Ocampo’s commitment to over-the-top femininity in the role of Clarabelle…” Tom Provenzano, LA WEEKLY

“…de Ocampo stands out and sparks laughter when voicing the lines of sultry swindler Clarabelle.” – Kristina Mannion, Critics Pick, OC Weekly

“…whether portraying a virile laborer or a falsely saccharine female, (de Ocampo) is expansively believeable… -- Joel Hirschhorn, Variety

From: LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! (Studio Theatre, Washington, DC)

“Ramon de Ocampo is righteous, zesty, and sexy in the role…” – John Larson, Metro Weekly

“de Ocampo brings solidity to a character who could easily be played as utterly shallow…” –Lloyd Rose, Washington Post

“(de Ocampo’s) vibrant sexuality drives everyone crazy!” – Steppin Out, WDC

“de Ocampo is fiercely sexual, he uses his body as if it were a weapon…” – The Georgetowner

from: ICE ISLAND: THE WAIT FOR SHACKELTON (Melting Pot Theater, NYC)

“particularly notable is Ramon de Ocampo, whose portrayal of the young stowaway is electrifying!” – Irene Backalenick, Backstage

“Ramon de Ocampo is particularly notable among a good all around cast” – Wilborn Hampton, New York Times

“Ramon de Ocampo is particularly touching as the young stowaway who nobly insists on falling victim to the sword…” Elyse Sommer, Curtain Up

OTHER notables from various plays

“de Ocampo offers what seems to be a troupes worth of acting. From two rows back, it appears effortless and compelling…” –Lawrence Biemiller, The Chronicle Of Higher Education (“Hamlet”, as Hamlet, Carnegie Mellon University)

“…Zealy Bess obtains the best performance from Ramon de Ocampo as Terry’s teenage in-law…” – Victor Gluck, Backstage (“Bad Blood” EST Marathon)

“Ramon de Ocampo is electrifying as Jakob…” – Irene Backalenick, Backstage (“Middle Finger”, as Jakob, Ma-Yi theater co)

“Another full performance is Ramon de Ocampo’s Patrick, rising through bewilderment to anger…” – Christopher Rawson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (“Spinning into Butter”, Pittsburgh Public Theater)

“de Ocampo is fiercely enthusiastic as Romeo!” – The Georgetowner (“Romeo and Juliet”, Romeo, Kennedy Center)

“As the young lovers Lorenzo and Jessica, Ramon de Ocampo and Joy Hooper are charming and passionate.” -Peter Filichia, New Jersey Star-Ledger (“the Merchant of Venice”, Lorenzo, New Jersey Shakespeare Festival)

“…Danny, played by the same brilliant, impassioned young actor that I commented on earlier in the week, Ramon de Ocampo. Mr. Ocampo, may well be as unstoppable as Jeffrey Wright, and Liev Schriber, he is certainly someone to watch and I do hope that George Wolfe finds places for him in the upcoming seasons.” - Dick McClanahan (Xpat-Inferno, New York Public New Work Now Festival)

photos:

(from top): “Taming of the Shrew” (Yale Rep) with Joe Urla;
“Pera Palas” (Boston Court/Antaeus) with Angela Goethals; “Dogeaters” (Kirk Douglas) with Orlando Pabotoy and Liza Del Mundo; “Tonight at 8:30, Still Life” (Antaeus) with Angela Goethals;
“The Romance of Magno Rubio” (Culture Project, NY);
“Dogeaters” with Alberto Isaac;
“Dogeaters” as Joey Sands;
“Magno” (center guitar) with Art Acuna, Jojo Gonzalez, Paolo Montalban,
and Bernardo Bernardo
“M. Butterfly” (East West Players) with Arye Gross
“the Learned Ladies” Kresge Main Stage with costumer Allison Achauer