“Troxell’s Dan Leno is worth the price of admission alone, one of the finest performances you’ll ever see on an opera stage.”
“Troxell gave a stunning performance as the music hall great, bringing Leno to vividly characterized life. Whether singing a music-hall ditty in drag or empathizing with the young Elizabeth, Troxell completely embodied the character of the theatrical ham with a heart of gold. Troxell also sang superbly throughout,  bringing a touching expression to his melancholy aria ‘O woeful world.'”
Chicago Classical Review.

“… Troxell walked away with his every scene as the music hall comedian Dan Leno. (The drag ditty in which Leno appeared to channel the pie-baking Mrs. Lovett, in Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd,” was one of several nifty numbers.)” Chicago Tribune.

“Troxell excelled singing the role of comedian Dan Leno. With a wide range of tone colors in his vocal arsenal, he easily shifted musical styles from the ironical and extroverted music hall number with the big waltz boom-chuck-chuck of ‘What’s going on down below, Mr. B.’ to the somber lyricism of ‘O Woeful World.'”  OperaWire.com.

We first meet Leno performing the cross-dressing role of Bluebeard’s housekeeper, with the outstanding tenor Richard Troxell fully inhabiting the role, dialect and all. Leno’s willingness to care for Lizzie reveals his big heart, but more significant is his commitment to entertaining his audiences, many of whom we imagine lead bleak, fear-marked lives outside the theatre. Leno’s embodiment of resilience in times of adversity resonates poignantly. BachTrack.com.