Reviews
The Housewives of Mannheim (Off-Broadway)
“…very powerful due to an excellent cast led by Pheonix Vaughn who resembles Scarlett Johansson but has a much more expressive face. She exudes a seductive innocence that’s very powerful and perfect for her role as a woman who’s world is suddenly expanded, forcing her to choose between upholding the status quo or embracing her newfound but socially unacceptable desires.” – The Huffington Post 05/28/2010
“May (a winning Pheonix Vaughn) has ventured beyond Brooklyn, beyond herself, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where a painting, Vermeer’s “Housewives of Mannheim,” fills her with a curious excitement.” – NY Times 05/19/2010
“Vaughn (sic) is perfect as May, the beautiful housewife who realizes she has gotten by so far on her looks and is “used to being good.” – Show Business Weekly 05/19/2010
“The cast is first rate. Pheonix Vaughn, as May is blissfully naive and we see her growth, as she subtly conveys the inner turmoil.” – Examiner.com 05/15/2010
“All of the performances, directed by Suzanne Barabas, are solid, but Vaughn’s emotional portrayal really stands out as a woman who wants so much more than keeping house, but who feels trapped in her kitchen by society’s rules and her own fears about what she wants.” – Reflections in the Light 05/17/2010
“As May, Pheonix Vaughn is perfectly cast. She is truly beautiful and, as called for, sometimes uses that element to subtly manipulate others.” – The Epoch Times 05/19/2010
The Housewives of Mannheim (NJ Production)
“In fact, Pheonix (yes, that’s how it’s spelled: Pheonix) Vaughn can do substantially more than just be beautiful. She turns in a stunning performance. No matter how much Brody’s character vacillates, Vaughn beautifully maneuvers each twist and turn. Watch as she dares to feel good about herself, and then almost immediately feels bad for feeling good. Vaughn must also get through such tricky lines as, “I can’t go around thinking all the time” and “I’m just a housewife.” Delivered by a lesser actress, they could come across as trite and laughable. Not here. Only the hardest-hearted theatergoer won’t be moved when Vaughn says them.” – NJ.com 04/07/2009
“The alluring May, played with a luminous ingenuousness by Phoenix Vaughn” – NY Times 05/01/2009
“Pheonix Vaughn subtly conveys the turmoil which May is experiencing while maintaining, in so far as she is able, the mild, compromising persona that is being reduced to a façade.” – Talkin’ Broadway 04/29/2009
“The performances are keenly drawn…especially Vaughn, who stepped into the role of May at a week’s notice. She balances a deeply ingrained sense of decency, dangerous naivete and the concerns of a protective, caring parent.” – Variety 04/21/2009
Cupid and Psyche
“…immediately enchanted upon discovering Psyche, played with charm and spunk by the lovely Pheonix Vaughn.” – NY Times 12/19/2008
“Pheonix Vaughn has the blond beauty and captivating charm of the traditional ingenue. Reid and Vaughn have pretty voices that do justice to Kim’s excellent, post-modern show music.” – NJ.com 12/15/2008
“Pheonix Vaughan — and yes, that’s how she spells it — offers a Psyche who’s smart and courageous and certainly celestial enough to attract the eye of a being who dwells in the palaces of Mount Olympus.” Asbury Park Press 12/19/2008
Heaven in Your Pocket
“Pheonix Vaughn…to rock the stage in the second with the show’s best song, “Long Gone,” about loving the right man at the wrong time.” – Backstage 09/18/2008