“These people discover that life is full of wonderful things not because everything works out in the end (though it does), but because they see what is beautiful in people who are as sad as themselves. That’s lovely, and not at all trivial.”

“Farce meets sentiment and, though the combination shouldn’t work, it does: perhaps because each element has so much tradition and so much conviction behind it.”

The review covers Cymbeline, Much Ado About Nothing and The Matchmaker, opening with strong praise: “It’s not often that a Stratford Festival opening week hits the bull’s eye as decisively as it has with the three plays that have launched its 60th season.”

Nestruck’s review notes this production reveals director Chris Abraham’s “hitherto hidden genius for creating comic mayhem on a grand scale.” He concludes with “The Matchmaker – it is full of wonder, and it is wonderful. To all involved: Thank you.”

“Director Chris Abraham and his skilled cast prove they are more than up to the task of wringing maximum resonance from the many insights Wilder has sprinkled throughout…Nora McLellan gives a comedic tour de force as Flora Van Huysen…”

“Director Chris Abraham deserves every bit of credit for this play’s success. His work in recent years as the stager of a wide variety of small, serious Canadian plays has given him a fine reputation…His farcical set pieces are wonders of comic timing…narrative flow is exhilarating and — best of all — he understands the warm heart beating strongly underneath the play.”