DAVID PAUL SMITH

ACTING

David Paul Smith playing Jerry Lee Lewis steals the show. Smith’s interpretation of Lewis is compelling. Key features include his exaggerated mannerisms, wild eyes and hair, and especially his vigorously amusing jam sessions at the piano. Smith brings such a staggering energy to the show. Even when Smith’s character is in the background of a scene, his expressiveness and his reactions to the action around him is magnetic. Smith undoubtedly brings the best comedic aspect to the show. While extreme expressiveness and silliness can sometimes be too much or too cheesy, Smith executes perfectly and effectively. Overall, he has such a fantastic performance. Numbers particularly worth mention are his opening number, “Real Wild Child,” and in his closing piece, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”

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David Paul Smith’s portrayal of Jervis is sincere and touching.  He creates a character that is powerful, but sweetly awkward, a Jervis who is controlling, but kind.  His relationship with Jerusha changes Jervis, and at a pivotal moment in later in the show it is deeply gratifying to watch this rich man humble himself and recognize that his money does not buy him control over people.  Smith makes Jervis’s devotion to Jerusha clear, and creates several truly heartbreaking moments for to watch. - Brighton Sloan, UTBA

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The trio of gargoyles played by David Paul Smith... navigated their roles with an impressive dexterity, and I believe they were responsible for much of the show’s success. As Clopin, Smith was charming and stole command of the stage. - Kat Webb, UTBA

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After all, creating a character is harder than it appears; creating a character who then in turn creates a character is exponentially more difficult. The most successful actor in this regard was David Paul Smith, whose created a clear distinction between his character—the verbally deficient Garry Lejeune—and Garry’s character—the debonair Roger Templemain.  Smith also capitalized on the visual humor in the second act by making Garry frazzled and stressed enough to be willing to sabotage his fellow actors in various ways. - Russell Warne, UTBA

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DIRECTING

DISNEY'S NEWSIES AT HALE CENTRE THEATRE

Director David Paul Smith has clearly guided all these aspects with careful discernment and real passion.  It's a rare relief for a production like this to honor the roots of a beloved show while not being afraid to push the envelope to see it through new eyes. - Tyler Hinton BWW.com

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SCHOOL OF ROCK AT HALE CENTRE THEATRE

I expected it to be leaps and bounds more impressive than anything else than had seen this month and on par with the best theatrical experiences of my life. Under the supervision of director David Paul Smith, it was. - Scott Savage UTBA

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DISNEY'S DESCENDANTS AT THE HALE CENTER THEATER OREM

The production, helmed by director/choreographer David Paul Smith, is artistic, fresh, thoughtful, and energetic. It's certainly on par with Hale Center Theater Orem's mainstage shows in its high production values. - Tyler Hinton, BroadwayWorld.com

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THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH TYA AT THE HALE CENTER THEATER OREM

Director David Paul Smith takes the job of building a production for children seriously. His actors treat the simple dialogue of Norton Juster and Sheldon Harnick‘s script with total seriousness. This is not a production where the actors are phoning it in just because the audience is children who lack discriminating tastes. Smith has a disciplined cast who give their full effort in performing even shallow bit parts. Smith also served as choreographer, and the zombie-like effort of “The Lethargarian Shuffle” or the Stomp!-inspired dance break of “Subtraction Stew” were clever kinetic moments that easily held children’s attention. – Russell Warne, UTBA

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THE VELVETEEN RABBIT AT THE HALE CENTER THEATER OREM

In addition to writing the score and contributing to the script, David Paul Smith also directed and choreographed the show. The blocking and dancing are clean and uncomplicated, making them a nice match for the story. The directing also focused on communicating important information unambiguously, such as the mechanical toys’ rejection of the stuffed rabbit and the way that the real rabbits differed from the velveteen rabbit. – Russell Warne, UTBA

 

MY SON PINOCCHIO AT THE HALE CENTRE THEATRE

To fill these beautiful sets were amazing actors, all of whom were an absolute delight to watch and directed well by David Paul Smith. – Alex Young, UTBA

 

Also single cast are the delightful marionettes, played by Abigail Budge and Emily Tessa Ebert. Through the perfect mix of their performance, direction by David Paul Smith, hair and makeup by Krissa Lent, and costumes by Joy Zhu, they appear to be actual puppets – Tyler Hinton, BWW

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ALICE IN WONDERLAND AT THE SCERA

In addition to creating the show, Ramsey and Smith also directed this production. The duo ensured that the show never lagged and that the action on stage never lasted longer than the audience’s attention span. I also appreciated how they found different ways to create audience participation in every scene. Whether it was counting, answering questions, or making a promise to themselves, Ramsey and Smith ensured that the young audience never did the same thing twice. – Russel Warne, UTBA

 

ALBUM

:)

by BonnieGwyn

Love David, love the music. Always so creative! Worth a listen. :)

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unique and pleasant sound

by Richard L. Sanders

The artist's sound is not one I've heard before, it is fresh. I really like the smoothe, positive, harmonious melodies he has come up with. They are great even as background music, and when listening you can't help but smile. I hope to see more from this artist.

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Great!

by divabills

This album has an excellent variety of sounds, from peaceful and chill to exciting and energetic. A perfect album for when you need some variety in your life. David is an excellent song-writer. Great story-telling within the music.