Audience Praise
A beautiful sharing, with depth and poignancy that touches the heart.
- Shelley Hainer, "Sensing with Shelley", Sensory Awareness Sessions, New York, NY
Sam is an artist. Wonderful performance by a warm and caring man.
- Scott Sunshine, Chef Scott Sunshine, Falls Church, VA
The Actual Dance is a beautiful play! Sam's work is always top-notch.
- Emma Goldman-Sherman, New York, NY
This wonderful production has been going strong for years because it comes from the heart.
- Sheila Warnock, Share The Care (TM), AKA Share The Caregiving, Inc., New York, NY
Awesome!
- Cynthia Bah, Passion For Care LLC, Vienna, VA
Love and healing! Nothing is more important in our divisive times! This as beautiful play.
- Carol Fox Prescott, Carol Fox Prescott:Acting Classes, Kingston, NY
Sam Simon has created a beautiful compassionate show which everyone should see.
- Gayle C Yiotis, Gayle Yiotis Genealogist, Chantilly, VA
Beautiful show with a universal message. This show is solo theatre at its' finest.
- Crandall Rogers, Four Mortals Productions, Saint Louis, MO
"Theater as it’s best!!"
- Silvia R Eberly, Magic Mountain Puppets and Entertainment Inc., Arlington, VA
He is passionate about his work and tells a great story about life.
- Rachael Simon, Smiles4Children, Catonsville, MD
Sam Simon is an amazing visionary, performance artist and writer.
- Frederick Johnson, Immersive Soundings, Saint Petersburg, FL
I very much wish to warmly congratulate you on your fine and inspiring play "the Actual Dance", which my husband Hidetaro and I saw Wednesday in Baltimore. What a generous and courageous tour de force! Both your writing and your acting of it!! Bravissimo!!! At the end of the play, I was tongue-tied and moved to tears by the way you shared with us, the audience, how your universe totally changed and collapsed, AND how you slowly but surely rebuilt it. I felt like I was not alone!
- Zeyda
I was so deeply touched by so many parts of the performance. Your openness, your articulation and your deep presence on stage. It was an honor and privilege to watch and be a part of your life. I was also touched by your prayer and chant in the middle of the performance. Very best wishes and blessings.
- David
Sam, I very much enjoyed listening to your play and "virtually" meeting your wife. I sat and listened to your narrative with my eyes closed, I found the words to be incredibly powerful. Beyond all else, it is a beautiful love story, although the play is also ripe with a variety of other human attributes; including the fear of loss, the transcendent mystery of death, and the resilience of the human spirit.
- Al
I just watched your play. I was just blown away! I am really at a loss for words. As you may recall, I dealt with life threatening cancer 13 years ago. Based on the original diagnosis, I was supposed to only live 2 more years. It eventually was rediagnosed to a form of cancer which is highly curable. The statistical chances for this type of rediagnosis are less than 1%. I faced my mortality and have grown significantly as a result of this experience. It is not an overstatement to say that I have truly transformed as a result of this experience. In my cancer experience, I have found that at a very deep level only cancer survivors and their caretakers truly in their core can identify with this type of experience. Your beautiful and inspiring play reinforced my perspective. Your willingness to be so vulnerable and open is truly courageous. My warmest regards and best wishes to you.
- Steve
How wonderful your show was! Your writing was stunning! I loved to hear you so comfortable and fluent with the language! The images you painted were so powerful.
- Robbie
Sam Simon performed his play The Actual Dance live on zoom for our audience at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, CA. It was a very moving experience for our audience. There were many comments from people who endured a similar experience and who lived through a loss in their family. We did let the audience know from the beginning that it has a happy ending. Having Sam perform live, then be joined by his wife Susan at the end for a Q&A, made it a very personal and approachable experience for all.
- Michelle Rosengaus, Ph.D., Senior Manager, Adult Programs, Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto, CA
Please know, the show was terrific.
- Dennis
First I wanted to thank you for allowing Monique and I to be a part of the family of viewers. I’ve known for years throughout our friendship of your interest in acting but sadly enough I’ve never seen you act before, however this went beyond just acting.
This was a deeply emotional and wrenching experience to watch-it was as if I was having an outer body experience living through you what had happened.
- Marty and Monique
Judy wanted me to tell you that she particularly appreciated your comment that Rabbi Berkowitz's death had filled you up with emotion for this performance. Certainly, this performance was the best one among those I have seen. The story you tell is huge and goes to the fundamentals of human life. Every time I see you perform, it makes me think harder about the issues you present as they relate to my life. Many thanks.
As to the technology, I think that, if anything, it enhanced my appreciation of the performance. I loved seeing you dance with Susan at the end, if only briefly. It put the pictures from your wedding firmly in mind. It was good to have that image to backstop the beauty of your dance moment at the end of the play today. I think you could extend that moment with Susan for one spin around the floor.
You are both amazing people. I'm proud to know you. "Love is the answer." "Love is all you need."
- Chris
LOVE this and loved your performance yesterday! One of the things I said in the chat yesterday was that I loved the story of how you two met! You are such a GREAT couple!
- Janice
I just watched Sam's "Actual Dance." It was incredibly powerful -- a moving, beautifully written script and terrific acting. Great congrats, Sam! And wishes for a wonderful holiday season to all.
- Karen
“The Actual Dance is actually eloquent, what can I say that I didn't, just know that silence says more than words. My heart stood still in places feeling your dance, mesmerized by the rhythm and pace of it saying so much about our lives and how we live it one day at a time.”
– Harriet L.
“Wonderful and insightful.”
– Peter E.
“If I was less voluble than usual last night it was because I was touched and moved by the play. It was very intense, and I think for people watching who do not know the (ok) ending it will be even more powerful. Knowing that Susan was sitting there made it easier for me. I wish you continued success in refining this, and in bringing it to share with others. I really think you have a winner there.”
– Susan G.
“I am still living in the glow of last evening…and your singing the Hebrew Prayer totally blew me away. It was brilliant.”
– Gregg J.
“I want to tell you again how much your play moved me. Parts of it have kept coming into my mind when I least expect it. It was so powerful, sweet and tender, and at the same time gut-wrenching and full of pain and anguish… I am so glad that it was taped as I want Chuck and other spouses and caregivers to see it. It is really such a rare gift that you have been able to share such an intimate part of yours and Susan’s lives with so many friends and strangers. I think that being able to do so will give others a sense that they are not alone in this journey, as you have expressed so many of the feelings and fears that others have, or are afraid to express or even think. Thank you for that, Sam. You are truly a very extraordinary person.”
- Anita T.
“Mazel Tov on both your play ‘The Actual Dance’ and your performance Thursday evening. The audience was stunned with a lot to think about. Of course that is a sign of a good piece of literature, theatre or otherwise.”
- Rochelle Z.
“Sam's one-man drama is absorbing, moving, and very beautiful. Having previously had a professional relationship with Sam, learning about his talent as a writer and actor was a revelation. The Actual Dance should be seen by many more people!”
- Richard A.
- Shelley Hainer, "Sensing with Shelley", Sensory Awareness Sessions, New York, NY
Sam is an artist. Wonderful performance by a warm and caring man.
- Scott Sunshine, Chef Scott Sunshine, Falls Church, VA
The Actual Dance is a beautiful play! Sam's work is always top-notch.
- Emma Goldman-Sherman, New York, NY
This wonderful production has been going strong for years because it comes from the heart.
- Sheila Warnock, Share The Care (TM), AKA Share The Caregiving, Inc., New York, NY
Awesome!
- Cynthia Bah, Passion For Care LLC, Vienna, VA
Love and healing! Nothing is more important in our divisive times! This as beautiful play.
- Carol Fox Prescott, Carol Fox Prescott:Acting Classes, Kingston, NY
Sam Simon has created a beautiful compassionate show which everyone should see.
- Gayle C Yiotis, Gayle Yiotis Genealogist, Chantilly, VA
Beautiful show with a universal message. This show is solo theatre at its' finest.
- Crandall Rogers, Four Mortals Productions, Saint Louis, MO
"Theater as it’s best!!"
- Silvia R Eberly, Magic Mountain Puppets and Entertainment Inc., Arlington, VA
He is passionate about his work and tells a great story about life.
- Rachael Simon, Smiles4Children, Catonsville, MD
Sam Simon is an amazing visionary, performance artist and writer.
- Frederick Johnson, Immersive Soundings, Saint Petersburg, FL
I very much wish to warmly congratulate you on your fine and inspiring play "the Actual Dance", which my husband Hidetaro and I saw Wednesday in Baltimore. What a generous and courageous tour de force! Both your writing and your acting of it!! Bravissimo!!! At the end of the play, I was tongue-tied and moved to tears by the way you shared with us, the audience, how your universe totally changed and collapsed, AND how you slowly but surely rebuilt it. I felt like I was not alone!
- Zeyda
I was so deeply touched by so many parts of the performance. Your openness, your articulation and your deep presence on stage. It was an honor and privilege to watch and be a part of your life. I was also touched by your prayer and chant in the middle of the performance. Very best wishes and blessings.
- David
Sam, I very much enjoyed listening to your play and "virtually" meeting your wife. I sat and listened to your narrative with my eyes closed, I found the words to be incredibly powerful. Beyond all else, it is a beautiful love story, although the play is also ripe with a variety of other human attributes; including the fear of loss, the transcendent mystery of death, and the resilience of the human spirit.
- Al
I just watched your play. I was just blown away! I am really at a loss for words. As you may recall, I dealt with life threatening cancer 13 years ago. Based on the original diagnosis, I was supposed to only live 2 more years. It eventually was rediagnosed to a form of cancer which is highly curable. The statistical chances for this type of rediagnosis are less than 1%. I faced my mortality and have grown significantly as a result of this experience. It is not an overstatement to say that I have truly transformed as a result of this experience. In my cancer experience, I have found that at a very deep level only cancer survivors and their caretakers truly in their core can identify with this type of experience. Your beautiful and inspiring play reinforced my perspective. Your willingness to be so vulnerable and open is truly courageous. My warmest regards and best wishes to you.
- Steve
How wonderful your show was! Your writing was stunning! I loved to hear you so comfortable and fluent with the language! The images you painted were so powerful.
- Robbie
Sam Simon performed his play The Actual Dance live on zoom for our audience at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, CA. It was a very moving experience for our audience. There were many comments from people who endured a similar experience and who lived through a loss in their family. We did let the audience know from the beginning that it has a happy ending. Having Sam perform live, then be joined by his wife Susan at the end for a Q&A, made it a very personal and approachable experience for all.
- Michelle Rosengaus, Ph.D., Senior Manager, Adult Programs, Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto, CA
Please know, the show was terrific.
- Dennis
First I wanted to thank you for allowing Monique and I to be a part of the family of viewers. I’ve known for years throughout our friendship of your interest in acting but sadly enough I’ve never seen you act before, however this went beyond just acting.
This was a deeply emotional and wrenching experience to watch-it was as if I was having an outer body experience living through you what had happened.
- Marty and Monique
Judy wanted me to tell you that she particularly appreciated your comment that Rabbi Berkowitz's death had filled you up with emotion for this performance. Certainly, this performance was the best one among those I have seen. The story you tell is huge and goes to the fundamentals of human life. Every time I see you perform, it makes me think harder about the issues you present as they relate to my life. Many thanks.
As to the technology, I think that, if anything, it enhanced my appreciation of the performance. I loved seeing you dance with Susan at the end, if only briefly. It put the pictures from your wedding firmly in mind. It was good to have that image to backstop the beauty of your dance moment at the end of the play today. I think you could extend that moment with Susan for one spin around the floor.
You are both amazing people. I'm proud to know you. "Love is the answer." "Love is all you need."
- Chris
LOVE this and loved your performance yesterday! One of the things I said in the chat yesterday was that I loved the story of how you two met! You are such a GREAT couple!
- Janice
I just watched Sam's "Actual Dance." It was incredibly powerful -- a moving, beautifully written script and terrific acting. Great congrats, Sam! And wishes for a wonderful holiday season to all.
- Karen
“The Actual Dance is actually eloquent, what can I say that I didn't, just know that silence says more than words. My heart stood still in places feeling your dance, mesmerized by the rhythm and pace of it saying so much about our lives and how we live it one day at a time.”
– Harriet L.
“Wonderful and insightful.”
– Peter E.
“If I was less voluble than usual last night it was because I was touched and moved by the play. It was very intense, and I think for people watching who do not know the (ok) ending it will be even more powerful. Knowing that Susan was sitting there made it easier for me. I wish you continued success in refining this, and in bringing it to share with others. I really think you have a winner there.”
– Susan G.
“I am still living in the glow of last evening…and your singing the Hebrew Prayer totally blew me away. It was brilliant.”
– Gregg J.
“I want to tell you again how much your play moved me. Parts of it have kept coming into my mind when I least expect it. It was so powerful, sweet and tender, and at the same time gut-wrenching and full of pain and anguish… I am so glad that it was taped as I want Chuck and other spouses and caregivers to see it. It is really such a rare gift that you have been able to share such an intimate part of yours and Susan’s lives with so many friends and strangers. I think that being able to do so will give others a sense that they are not alone in this journey, as you have expressed so many of the feelings and fears that others have, or are afraid to express or even think. Thank you for that, Sam. You are truly a very extraordinary person.”
- Anita T.
“Mazel Tov on both your play ‘The Actual Dance’ and your performance Thursday evening. The audience was stunned with a lot to think about. Of course that is a sign of a good piece of literature, theatre or otherwise.”
- Rochelle Z.
“Sam's one-man drama is absorbing, moving, and very beautiful. Having previously had a professional relationship with Sam, learning about his talent as a writer and actor was a revelation. The Actual Dance should be seen by many more people!”
- Richard A.
