“The central figure is newcomer Sam Ashdown, whose Hamlet — a quick, wiry, dagger-wielding hipster-ish hero with an inspired gift for declaiming poetry as intelligible speech — is alone worth the price of a ticket. From the moment he perceives something rotten in Denmark, Ashdown lets the audience in fully on his canny descent into madness, reinforced by a gripping pursuit of vengeance that drives the scenario home to its grim conclusion.”

Hamlet, Nashville Shakespeare Festival Martin Brady

Nashville Scene

“Showing a great man of history requires a great actor—and the Utah Shakespeare Festival certainly found one to play Henry V. Reprising his role as Henry V, Sam Ashdown showed the psychology of an imperfect man struggling with the burdens that kingship placed upon his shoulders. Henry’s internal deliberations were especially revealing, such as how to mete out justice, as in the scene where he punishes Bardolph for robbing a church in conquered territory. As a result, the confidence Henry displayed in the later scenes through his rousing speeches and forceful will were credible and moving. Ashdown was inspirational in delivering the rousing speeches in the play. Yet, Ashdown could also show a playful side to Henry, as in the lengthy denouement when Henry is courting Katherine, ”

Henry V, Utah Shakespeare Festival Russell Warne

Utah Theatre Bloggers Association

“Sam Ashdown returns from last season’s “Part One” to reprise his role as Prince Henry, and in this case easily demonstrates why he was contracted for three seasons. In addition to navigating the personal journey of his own character with a powerful performance, he helps transform the characters around him, earning audience empathy for Bull’s Henry IV and provoking increased love and sympathy for Ahlin’s Falstaff.”

Henry IV Part 2, Utah Shakespeare Festival Rachel Brutsch

Deseret News

“Sam Ashdown is absolutely outstanding in the title role, giving us a mournful Hamlet that moves with mercurial precision. Ashdown’s command of the language is obvious, and he delivers well-worn soliloquies with youthful passion and poignancy. Yet he proves to be just as adept in more explosive moments, making the most of David Wilkerson’s stellar fight choreography.”

Hamlet, Nashville Shakespeare Festival Amy Stumpfl

The Tennessean

“In his starmaking Nashville Shakespeare Festival debut, Ashdown creates a portrait of the prince of Denmark who is mercurial and appealing, adding layers of intrigue and charm to the already compelling character. While Ashdown bounds onto the stage at one moment, perhaps at the next he creeps in silently – all the while making the most of his exceptional presence to ensure every eye is riveted to him.”

Hamlet, Nashville Shakespeare Festival Jeffrey Ellis

Broadway World

“The central figure is newcomer Sam Ashdown, whose Hamlet — a quick, wiry, dagger-wielding hipster-ish hero with an inspired gift for declaiming poetry as intelligible speech — is alone worth the price of a ticket. From the moment he perceives something rotten in Denmark, Ashdown lets the audience in fully on his canny descent into madness, reinforced by a gripping pursuit of vengeance that drives the scenario home to its grim conclusion.”

Hamlet, Nashville Shakespeare Festival Martin Brady

Nashville Scene

“Wonderfully complex – and somehow unexpected and altogether authentic – performances from Sam Ashdown as Hamlet and Cheryl White as his mother Gertrude are enough reason to experience Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s production of Hamlet.”

Hamlet, Nashville Shakespeare Festival Jeffrey Ellis

Broadway World

“Showing a great man of history requires a great actor—and the Utah Shakespeare Festival certainly found one to play Henry V. Reprising his role as Henry V, Sam Ashdown showed the psychology of an imperfect man struggling with the burdens that kingship placed upon his shoulders. Henry’s internal deliberations were especially revealing, such as how to mete out justice, as in the scene where he punishes Bardolph for robbing a church in conquered territory. As a result, the confidence Henry displayed in the later scenes through his rousing speeches and forceful will were credible and moving. Ashdown was inspirational in delivering the rousing speeches in the play. Yet, Ashdown could also show a playful side to Henry, as in the lengthy denouement when Henry is courting Katherine, ”

Henry V, Utah Shakespeare Festival Russell Warne

Utah Theatre Bloggers Association

“Sam Ashdown returns from last season’s “Part One” to reprise his role as Prince Henry, and in this case easily demonstrates why he was contracted for three seasons. In addition to navigating the personal journey of his own character with a powerful performance, he helps transform the characters around him, earning audience empathy for Bull’s Henry IV and provoking increased love and sympathy for Ahlin’s Falstaff.”

Henry IV Part 2, Utah Shakespeare Festival Rachel Brutsch

Deseret News

“Although different in both its context and conclusion, Marianne’s romance with the charming John Willoughby (Sam Ashdown) is delightful to watch. Taking on a role similar to his philandering persona as Prince Hal in this year’s “Henry IV,” Ashdown captivates the audience, as well as Marianne, in “Sense and Sensibility’s” far less sensible romance.”

Sense and Sensibility, Utah Shakespeare Festival Lisa Larson

The Spectrum

 

Barbara M. Bannon

Salt Lake Tribune

“Ashdown gives quite an appealing performance as Tom. He has an athletic physique with lithe movements. The look on his face as he’s seduced by a series of women is hapless and yet quite willing.”

Tom Jones, Northlight Theatre Kat Hey

Chicago Theatre Beat

“Many of those rollicks trace back to a sharp ensemble. Sam Ashdown looks like something out of a Georgian Abercrombie & Fitch ad as Tom, entirely justifying the magnetism he’s supposed to project.”

Tom Jones, Northlight Theatre Tony Adler

Chicago Reader

“Director William Brown, a director of great style, wit, and playful intelligence, has cast this production to perfection, with SAM ASHDOWN, a young, physically fleet actor with lean, craggy good looks, immense grace, and the easy command of language by way of extensive work in Shakespeare, proving himself a marvelous Tom Jones.”

Tom Jones, Northlight Theatre Hedy Weiss

Chicago Sun Times