Jacqueline Jones

"You were absolutely incredible as Golda!  Your performance left me breathless - it was so excellent.  You captured her so completely, and all of the others in her life, as well. Congratulations on what has to become the role of a lifetime! Yesha Koach as you finish the run."

"You were so totally immersed in its many dimensions -- and so assured as you negotiated the script's many twists and turns. What a prodigious feat for you to learn all those lines! What pleasure for us to bask in them!"

"GOLDA'S BALCONY starring Richmond favorite Jackie Jones is a star turn that never becomes that. Never in this "one woman tour de force" does Jones have a moment of "I'm a star, I don't have to work for this"; she gives us something in every moment and we get to be there for the ride. 95 minutes of Golda Meir (an incredible woman) and colleagues, portrayed by Jones. Closing on the 14th!" 

"Last evening, Linda and I attended the Jewish Family Theater's opening night performance of "Golda's Balcony"...a one woman show depicting parts of the life of Golda Meier...one of the most amazing women of our time.  The play and the performance was nothing short of fantastic.  Jackie Jones, the actor portraying Ms. Meier, did a truly magnificent job in the role.  Golda truly came alive for those in the audience.  I urge you to see this show at the Weinstein JCC during this weekend and next weekend as well.  It is a show not to be missed!  Trust me!.....it will be a wonderful experience!" 

"It is a shame for theater goers that the weather will prevent them from experiencing your performance tonight. Having had the pleasure of seeing the opening night, all I can say to them is this: "WHEN THE CURTAIN FINALLY RISES AGAIN, MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN THE AUDIENCE FOR AN INSPIRING DELIVERY OF A CHALLENGING ROLE!  Dig yourself out of your driveways ... make this a MUST-SEE!" " 

Golda's Balcony  (Jewish Family Theatre Guest Artist, Richmond, VA) - Facebook Review by Audience Member, CHJH, February 6, 2010

"You were absolutely amazing as Golda! We were transfixed throughout the entire play. It really was haunting; you transformed. And for the record, I was in the next to last row, saying back to you, "Shalom. Shalom. Shalom." The Facebook wall is the wrong place to say it, but thank you for an unforgettable performance."

"I didn't have time to wait for you yesterday after the show and probably wouldn't have really been able to tell you how much you moved me.  You know I think you 'clone' yourself and are doing more than one role in different theatres at the same time.  I know I'm not seeing every role you do but THIS is one for 'the books.' You were magnificent--you just blew me away!  ... R.H.--who just can't imagine Richmond theatre without you...(thanks for a lovely Valentine's Day gift )"

"I truly, truly, truly enjoyed your performance last night in Golda's Balcony. Thank you so much!"

"Powerful! I am now motivated to read her biography, a book I have had since 1992."

"Bravo Jackie! Your performance in tonight's opening of 'Golda's Balcony' was truly spectacular."

"For dessert, there's Jacqueline Jones ... Jones shows us how Jocelyn keeps it together, using Christmas spirits of the alcoholic variety.  With the slightest shake or tilt of the head the actress conveys volumes; her crisp diction and flawless timing keep the humor sharp. She's wickedly funny ...  convincing as a devoted Southern mom." 

The Santaland Diaries and Season's Greetings  (Sycamore Rouge, Petersburg, VA) - Reviewed by Susan Haubenstock, Richmond Times-Dispatch, December 8, 2009

"In Season's Greetings local theater doyenne Jackie Jones takes what looks to be yet another groan-inducing holiday "news" letter and turns it into a lacerating indictment of so-called family values that ends with a rather grotesque climax.  That Jones makes the journey so funny is a credit to her total understanding of her character and certain aspects of America's unsung desperate housewives." 

The Santaland Diaries and Season's Greetings  (Sycamore Rouge, Petersburg, VA) - Reviewed by T.K Slonaker, III,  GayRVA, December 14, 2009

"Jacqueline Jones is hilarious as the middle-class Jocelyn, matriarch of the Dunbar family, who's doing her best to create a cheerful holiday letter despite an unusually humiliating year.  Jones is a seasoned pro who brings this character to convincing life." 

The Santaland Diaries and Season's Greetings  (Sycamore Rouge, Petersburg, VA) - Reviewed by Mary Burruss, Style Weekly, December 16, 2009

"Tommy Schoffler and Jacqueline Jones,  perform separate and hilarious monologues in Sycamore Rouge's latest offering. [Director] kb Saine is lauded for piecing together two very different monologues with a great deal of creativity ... Season's Greetings, a dark comedy, was well spoken by Jacqueline Jones as Jocelyn ... Even though the show was malevolent at times, it also was hilarious ...Jones' voice, facial expressions, diction and timing were delightful."    

The Santaland Diaries and Season's Greetings  (Sycamore Rouge, Petersburg, VA) - Reviewed by Robert Parlier, Petersburg Progress-Index, December 17, 2009

"Jacqueline Jones then takes the stage as Midwestern craft specialist Barbara Ellen Diggs. This is where I started howling with laughter and occasionally fought back the tears. Jones is on the top of her game and she elevates an already wonderful piece of theatre. She is able to transform the piece and the audience and ground us in a reality that is too easily overlooked in all the fun." 

The New Century (Richmond Triangle Players, Richmond, VA) - Reviewed  by John Porter, NPR - WCVE, October 9, 2009

"Then the delightful Jacqueline Jones does her turn as Barbara Ellen, who's pretty extreme in her own way, involving lots of yarn, sequins, glue and competitive cake decorating. Here Rudnick takes a cautious turn to the emotional side; there is a lovely shift of tone from nuttiness to nostalgia that is deftly navigated by Jones under Knapp's sensitive direction." 

"The most complex character, Middle-American mom, Barbara Ellen Diggs, is delicately brought to life by Jacqueline Jones.  Diggs finds meaning in the world of crafts 'to create something worth dusting.'  The role is perhaps the most challenging of the play, and Jones's rendering of a litany of crafts is especially impressive as a bathetic counterpoint to the underlying focus of Diggs's monologue, the death of her son from AIDS." 

The New Century (Richmond Triangle Players, Richmond, VA) - Reviewed  by Carter S. Grove, The Virginia Flame, Volume 3 Issue 11 - November 2009

"'Crafty', the third short, features Jacqueline Jones as Barbara Ellen Diggs, queen of cheesy crafts from Decatur, Illinois (remember crocheted poodle toilet paper roll cozies?). Jones nails this character. She is so convincing and the script is so expertly crafted she has the audience laughing at one moment and tearing up the next as she describes her various craft projects and the death of her gay son from AIDS." 

The New Century (Richmond Triangle Players, Richmond, VA) - Reviewed  by Mary Burruss, Style Weekly, October 16, 2009

"I liked ... Every word that came out of Jackie Jones's beautiful mouth. Not only do I love Jackie Jones, I also preferred her section of the play, entitled Crafty. It was sweet, and warm, and funny"

"Abby and Martha Brewster, the poisoned elderberry wine wielding elders are played with delight by Jolene Carroll and Jacqueline Jones ... The two actresses are generally fun to watch individually, but together they are a force of nature and their sweet antics make the dark humor that much more fun." 

Arsenic and Old Lace (Swift Creek Mill Theatre, Colonial Heights, VA)  - Reviewed  by John Porter, NPR - WCVE, June 22, 2009

"Jolene Carroll and Jacqueline Jones play the old ladies with the requisite nutty charm." 

Arsenic and Old Lace (Swift Creek Mill Theatre, Colonial Heights, VA)  -  Reviewed  by Susan Haubenstock, Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 22, 2009

All My Sons  (Chamberlayne Actors Theatre Richmond, VA) - Reviewed  by Susan Haubenstock, Richmond Times-Dispatch, January 23, 2009

"Kate's waver from loving matriarch to fearful wife makes for an imposing acting challenge but Jones is magnificent in the role." 

All My Sons  (Chamberlayne Actors Theatre Richmond, VA) - Reviewed  by David Timberline, Style Weekly, January 27, 2009

"Jacqueline Jones gives a fine performance as wife Kate Keller... It is always a treat to catch one of Jones' roles, and this one is especially powerful."

All My Sons   (Chamberlayne Actors Theatre, Richmond, VA)  - Reviewed  by John Porter, NPR - WCVE, February 3, 2009

"... Outstanding - what a great performance! ... You were right on the money throughout ... so real and natural"    

All My Sons  (Chamberlayne Actors Theatre, Richmond, VA)   - personal note from Kaye Weinstein Gary, Artistic Director & Producer of K Dance and "Yes, Virginia - Dance" - Saturday, January 24, 2009

"[Director Dawn Westbrook] gives her villains -- the hilarious Jacqueline Jones as the Queen Mother and Matthew James as the Duke of Bonfire -- loads of funny business to do."

Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter   (Theatre IV, Richmond, VA)  -  Reviewed   by Susan Haubenstock, Richmond Times-Dispatch, January 26, 2008

Hopefully this Risk will Turn to Gold for Theatre IV

"[daughter] Elinor thought it was wonderful too ... She commented several times on the hilariously wicked duo of Jackie Jones and Matt James as the Queen Mother and the Duke of Bonfire. Jackie your costume has started a fashion war in our house. I know it is not your fault but honey, you do wear that -is it Versache inspired?- neo disco outfit so well! I know you are having fun in that, girl. I could tell by your wicked evil laugh."    

Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter   (Theatre IV, Richmond, VA)  - UnOfficial Rave by Style Weekly Critic Mary Burruss, guest writer on Style Weekly Critic David Timberline's Personal Theatre Blog: http://richmondvatheater.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html, Sunday, January 26, 2008

"Even if you don't have kids, it is worth your time to get in on this one. There was much adult laughter throughout last night. I just about busted a gut when the amazing Jackie Jones came out. Jackie - you were fierce honey!"

Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter   (Theatre IV, Richmond, VA)  - Stacy, in response to Hopefully this Risk will Turn to Gold for Theatre IV https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=29175306&postID=8860107279263945630 , Sunday, January 26, 2008

"I don't know what your weekend plans are (or plans up until February 10th) but if you get a chance I STRONGLY recommend you take the kids, and Bob if he'll go, to see Theater IV's production of "Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter." We went tonight and really enjoyed ourselves. And, as a bonus, your friend Jackie has a really sizeable role and she's fantastic!"    

Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter   (Theatre IV, Richmond, VA)  - Word of E-Mouth: Tammy to Karen, January 24, 2008

"Jacqueline Jones puts in another of her high-octane performances as Miss Shields, Ralphie's teacher."  

A Christmas Story (Theatre IV, Richmond, VA)  - Reviewed  by Susan Haubenstock, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Dec 02, 2007

"... with standout performances by Jacqueline Jones as Miss Shields ... Jones is obviously having a ball as the prim Miss Shields, giving a scene-stopping wicked-witch scream during a fantasy sequence."   

A Christmas Story (Theatre IV, Richmond, VA) - Reviewed  by Mary Burruss, Style Weekly, December 19, 2007

" ... top-notch talent ... Jacqueline Jones portrays the food-obsessed Gramma Aida with a breezy good humor that blossoms into true wisdom during the second act."

Over the River and Through the Woods (Barksdale, Richmond, VA) - Reviewed  by David Timberline, Style Weekly, November 22, 2006

" ... gem of a production ... Frank played by David Bridgewater, Grandfather Nunzio, played by Matthew Costello, and the two Nans, played by Jacqueline Jones and Jolene Carroll are all delightful ...  Director Bruce Miller has brought together a terrific ensemble cast who light up the intimate setting of Hanover Tavern ... the grandparents have the look of people who found a sense of style and stayed with it the rest of their lives ... four actors ... gift of the Italian language, not just being able to create an accent, but to be able to recreate the sounds and feelings attached with an entire culture." 

Over the River and Through the Woods (Barksdale, Richmond, VA) - Reviewed  by John Porter, NPR - WCVE, November 24, 2006

"The talented members of director Tom Width's cast keep things together ... The glue holding the whole operation together, though, is Jacqueline Jones, who imbues the half-dozen or so parts she plays with remarkable style.  She's one of the few actresses who can make a slow walk across the stage a riveting theatrical moment."

Das Barbecü (Swift Creek Mill Theatre, Colonial Heights, VA) - Reviewed  by David Timberline, Style Weekly, November 16, 2005

"Its biggest assets are the five people in the cast.  These actors play five or more roles each and throw themselves into even the very silliest ones with lovable abandon.  Each one is endowed with a voice that can belt the big country tunes ... Busiest and funniest of all is Jacqueline Jones ... She's a powerhouse."    

Das Barbecü (Swift Creek Mill Theatre, Colonial Heights, VA) - Reviewed  by Susan Haubenstock, Richmond Times-Dispatch, November, 2005