Show reviews
My Illustrious Wasteland
"Damian Shembel wins over the audience with his geeky idealism as Mogs, the son of a rock legend dead before his time. Rebelling against government mandates, Mogs refuses to take mood stabilizers and doesn't buy into the propaganda surrounding Information Disease.
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Shembel's portrayal of Mogs works even better in scenes concerning Mog's mother Loretta, an overmedicated housewife with a pointedly apathetic Southern drawl. Their conflicting views on patriotic duty and social liberation resonates with how personal such material ... can be."
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- New Theater Corps
Altar Boyz
“Jim Giancarlo has assembled a wonderful cast of squeaky clean guys who are just old enough to drink alcoholic beverages. Each of the boys is terrific and shines in his own right. They have untrammeled energy and their precision dance moves are right on the mark.
…We are introduced to hot stud Matthew (Damian Shembel) who leads the group…
… Damian Shembel has great vocal chops in “Something About You.”
- Talkin’ Broadway
"But the show is five times blessed with this cast. These guys - all making their OTC debuts - sing angelically and dance like the devil. And while they shine as a group, each one gets a moment to linger in the spotlight.
The group's driving force and leading, yet virginal, heartthrob is Matthew. With a glass-cutting jaw and sculpted arms, Matthew, played by Damian Shembel, sings the 'N Sync-like love ballad, “Something About You”, a palpitating ode to abstinence: “Something about you, baby girl, makes me want to wait.
The stamina-stoked actors are in nearly perpetual motion, impeccably executing the nearly non-stop dances…."
- Daily Courier
“Parody is difficult to pull off and this latest production at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre manages to do it with skill, sweetness and enthusiasm.
There is sexy, hunky Matthew (Damian Shembel) … always genuine, always appealing.
The actors are all newcomers to the Cabaret and they are all wonderful with beautiful voices, good dancing …”
* Ashland Daily Tidings
"Move over Backstreet Boys, ‘N Sync and New Kids on the Block…here come the Altar Boyz, and they have some souls to save. The cast is comprised of five young performers making their Cabaret debut. Damian Shembel plays the leader of the group, Matthew. Shembel has a strong voice and is a perfect cast for the role.”
- Ashland Sneak Preview
Rocky Horror picture show
"This is definitely an ensemble show but Damian Shembel, who spends the evening in corset, fishnets, and enough makeup for a Twisted Sister reunion concert is everyone's favorite as Dr. Frank 'N' Furter, the sexually omnivorous fiend.
Shembel vamps it up shamelessly when called on to do so, but does sing and act very effectively when given the opportunity."
- do delaware online
"In NTC's production, there is a whole lot of garter belts and mascara goin' on ... and not just with the women. Damian Shembel channels Tim Curry's movie characterization of Frank-N-Furter as if he were a younger twin brother. He is over the top. He is ... how can I say this ... ultimately "believable' as a sweet transvestite from Transylvania. His energy empowers the cast and embraces the audience as, well, only a transvestite can."
- The Community News
Beauty and the beast
“The Beast is played by Damian Shembel, a Philadelphia native and current New York City resident. He handles well the transformation of the Beast from angry and despondent beast to trying to control his emotions and win over Belle to daring and considerate. “
- The Oxford Press
“She (Belle) is countered by Damian Shembel who portrays all the ferocious characteristics of a beast. To Shembel’s credit, despite his beastly looks and behavior, he makes the audience sympathize with him when his true feelings are revealed.”
- Tour Great Miami
I Love NY - A Cabaret of Broadway Love Songs
"Some of the songs were hilarious, such as "Sara Lee" from "The World Goes Round", sung by Damian Shembel, who has a genuine flair for comedy."
- Ocean City Sentinel