Press
What They’re Saying about Julia
“The heart of the play is Seurat’s whimsically named muse and model, Dot, and here the match is absolutely perfect. Opera San Jose alum Julia Wade, returning from the East Coast to play the part, has the same red hair, fair complexion and clarion soprano that Bernadette Peters brought to the original role. Wade wastes no time in demonstrating her skills with the opening number, “Sunday in the Park with George,” which offers lightning-fast Rossinian patter. She rolls through them like a pro, and gives Dot a fetchingly naive, optimistic twist, no matter how many obstacles her artist lover throws in her way.”
—Michael J. Vaughan, OPERAVILLE
“Julia Wade makes no haste as Dot in Act 1, and Marie in Act 2. Her longing for a George that will never be what she needs him to be is soul-crushing. Wade’s poignant delivery in the beauteous simplicity of a song such as “Children and Art” in Act 2 is made all the more mournful when delivered in the shadow of Sondheim mere days before the first anniversary of his passing.” —David John Chavez, EAST BAY TIMES (MERCURY NEWS syndicate)
“It wasn’t until Georges’ muse Dot (Julia Wade) emerged that the musical entered its first song. With a parasol in hand, she posed for the artist with complete stillness, only moving the muscles of her face to sing the title song. Balancing playful whimsy and rich lucidity, Wade’s voice resonated throughout the theater, her winky smiles and tender blushes breathing life into the prominent figure of Seurat’s painting.” —Amanda Ayano Hayami, THE DAILY CALIFORNIAN
"Julia Wade is the female equivalent of Josh Groban. Julia knows how to evoke magic with her beautiful voice."
—INSIDE WORLD MUSIC
"The heaven-sent voice of Julia Wade hauntingly asks 'How Are We Raising Our Sons' and lifts 'A Still Small Voice' up to dimensions beyond."
—ELECTRONIC LINK JOURNEY, NYC
"You have so many moments that are so real and full of heart. Thank you for your beautiful work." —IRIS RAINER DART, Bookwriter & Lyricist, The People In The Picture; author, Beaches
“A soulful actress” —3BELOW THEATERS
"[‘Come To Me As A Bird’] is performed exquisitely by the wonderful Julia Wade, whose heartbreakingly crystalline soprano and soaring passion matches the purity of the song’s spirit.”
—AMERICAN SONGWRITER MAGAZINE
“Julia Wade is one of those rare and gifted crossover vocalists who can handle both worlds (Classical and Pop) with great style and grace. On top of it all, she is a singer who has the ability to get deeply into the lyric and magically inspire the listener." —PETER LINK, Tony-Nominated Broadway Composer and Record Producer
"Right to the heart. Just MASTERFUL musicianship. Refined. Pure. Magical."
—JULIE GOLD, Songwriter of "From A Distance"
“Soprano Julia Wade takes you on that inspirational journey with a voice so clear and pure there’s no room for doubt about her belief in the message and its source ... Wade’s amazing voice deftly handles diverse styles.”
—Laurie Lawson, ELECTRONIC LINK JOURNEY, NYC
"Her instrument has developed a divine richness, from wine to sherry. In Stoller's 'Now and Then,' her phrasing is thoughtful and heart-rending ..."
—Michael J. Vaughn, OPERAVILLE
"The vocal estates of all involved including Julia Wade were never less than solid; indeed, there were fresh young voices here."
—LOS ANGELES TIMES
" ... a creamy, luxurious soprano that makes the transition between a chest and head voice with unerring ease and precision... a beautiful woman with a great voice."
—SHOW BUSINESS
"Soprano Julia Wade and mezzo D’Anna Fortunato proved solid as the two more laid back women."
—OPERA NEWS
"Julia Wade as Miss Foster/Miss Sutton looked and sounded distinctly classy."
—KURT WEILL NEWSLETTER
“Julia Wade’s ‘classical’ chops are used sparingly but also very effectively. Peter Link’s sensitive arrangements perfectly complement Julia’s more relaxed and mature presentation.” —JIMMY ROBERTS, Composer of Off-Broadway's 2nd longest running musical, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change"
"Star of this cast was buffa soubrette Julia Wade, kicking up her heels as the manipulative maid, going through brainstorms and disguises galore."
—MERCURY NEWS
”Wade is at her best in the second-act waltz, where she brings out the contradictions of Monica’s growing coquettishness and her underlying feelings of love and compassion for Toby."
—SAN FRANCISCO TIMES TRIBUNE
"Wade sings beautifully. She has a lovely voice, a commanding stage presence and her lyrics were easy to understand.”
—SAN JOSE BUSINESS JOURNAL
"Julia Wade is a sensitive Monica on the threshold between childhood and womanhood, and her lyric soprano shone like a beacon."
—MERCURY NEWS
Audience Response
"Julia, your voice is an amazing silken dream."
—Fred Israel, Musician, New York City
"How often does one spend an evening of being beautifully entertained all the while your soul is being nourished!"
—Ingrid Michaels, New York City
“I have never in all my life heard a voice like yours and you should be nominated for a Grammy Award for the Best Spiritual CD of the next decade.”
—Celine Rioux, Canada
“I think music is a universal language and Julia’s ‘Alabado sea Dios’ speaks to me very deeply … I received this CD when my country Kenya was undergoing a very unharmonious and unhappy time. I believe her voice echoing over the seeming chaos has been, and continues to be a most healing effect to this city just as it has soothed and healed me.”
—Joseph Kamenju, Kenya
“Lovely, sublime, inspired. No one could hear this and not be raised up. The voice of an angel! Thank you.”
—Kevin Graunke, Oconomowoc, WI
“Seeing Julia in person is very special. We appreciate the way Julia lives her songs.”
—Carolyn Stewart, Irvine, CA
“Your concert last night was perfection! What’s most interesting is that it actually went way beyond a musical experience. It inspired us all, whether we were musical or not, to take a look at our own lives and endeavors and reach higher—to reach for the same kind of perfection in our own lives your concert represents!”
—Christine Irby Williams, Houston, TX