REVIEW: Mama's Next Big Act Winner Bring JOURNEY TO THE CENTER to Don't Tell Mama (selected excerpts)

This reviewer headed back to Don’t Tell Mama on Saturday night to witness the greatness of the 2023 Mama’s Next Big Act Winner, LaRaisha DiEvelyn Dionne! Dionne’s range is out of this world, and her command of the stage, second to none. (Note: this is the first cabaret this reviewer has been to where the artist leaves the stage to change outfits!) When Dionne came back to the stage, she was no longer herself, but “LaRaisha’s Assistant.” It was in this moment that her comic abilities shone bright with a strip-teasing Maltby & Shire’s "Miss Byrd". Dionne shared wise words which have continued to resonate days later – “We are nothing without each other on this planet.” She then DELIVERED with the Shaina Taub arrangement of Eva Cassidy’s version of “How Can I Keep From Singing.” It was in sharing her soul through song that we journeyed to the center of LaRaisha DiEvelyn Dionne. And what a wonderful place it was to be.

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~Analisa Bell

Broadway World

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WELCOME RELIEF: TWO DECADES AFTER ITS AUDACIOUS DEBUT, ‘URINETOWN’ REMAINS A PRESCIENT DELIGHT

Once again, LaRaisha Dionne shows off why is she one of the dominant divas of Wilmington theatre. In the role of Penelope Pennywise, she’s something of a slumlord of the shitters. She controls her territory with an iron plunger and attitude for days. Her voice reaches its crescendo in the Act One number “It’s a Privilege to Pee,” which fills the venue yet never overpowers.

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~Chase Harrison

Encore Magazine

TRANSPORTING EMOTION: LARAISHA BURNETTE CAPTIVATES IN ‘LADY DAY’

​This show is a double-first for [Dionne], who is helming a lead role and doing her first one-woman show. Here, there are no secondary characters to carry this story (aside from two very wonderful musicians who certainly add to the feel of the jazz club, Emerson’s Bar and Grill). Burnette must ride it out with every note, every inflection, every nuance of emotion, and every carefully constructed movement, and use of space. To be clear: She nails it on every account."

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~Shea Carver

Encore Magazine

Former Editor-in-Chief

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