“Ciarán McCarthy gives such a stunningly raw and beautifully nuanced performance as film director Guido Contini in Boiler Room Theatre’s production of Nine that it would be easy to lavish praise on him and leave it at that. … McCarthy is ideally cast as Guido, his perfectly honed dramatic technique exhibited at its zenith in his portrayal of the multi-faceted Guido, who is – at once – both cad and choirboy. McCarthy walks that fine line with the confidence of an actor absolutely certain of his abilities. His performance lacks any false notes or artifice: He becomes Guido with an easy grace that he wears comfortably. McCarthy’s uncanny ability to lose himself in the role is nothing less than astonishing – he commands the stage with aplomb and candor, yet he is generous to his coterie of co-stars (particularly in his scenes with Corrie Miller as his long-suffering wife, Jessica Heim as his sultry mistress, and Ashley Anderson-McCarthy as his soulmate), providing the perfect foil for their onstage histrionics.”
-Jeffrey Ellis, Broadwayworld.com
“What he doesn’t have in age he makes up for in talent, acting ability and stage experience though. McCarthy’s pro credits include the first national tour of The Wedding Singer, and he is a very accomplished performer with a good voice and sharp instincts. He also knows how to push the right emotional buttons; his tear-filled eyes in the heart-rendering “The Bells of St. Sebastian” number that ends Act I were powerful reminders that good acting involves much more than presenting an intriguing façade. … And the duet Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy’s characters have at the start of Act II is one of the loveliest onstage pairings I’ve seen in quite some time.”
-Evans Donnell, The Tennessean
“McCarthy does well with his manly role, following in the footsteps of the show’s most famous stage predecessors, Raul Julia and Antonio Banderas.”
-Martin Brady, Nashville Scene
