Performer Reviews
| NATIVE SON | PLAYMAKERS REPERTORY COMPANY
"As a private investigator named Britten, Daniel P. Wilson grounds us in the story with his strong presence and even stronger opinions."
Nancy Rich, Triangle Arts & Entertainment
| JUNK | THEATRE RALEIGH
"This reviewer’s show-stealer however, was Daniel P. Wilson as the devious market-manipulator Boris Pronsky; you can’t help but enjoy how distasteful he is!"
Naveed Moeed, Chatham Life and Style
"We see abundant evidence in this brisk roman à clef of the rise and precipitous fall of Robert Merkin (a steely Marc LeVasseur), a self-styled junk bond king similar to Michael Milken, and stockbroker Boris Pronsky (a somber Daniel P. Wilson), patterned after Milken’s onetime collaborator Ivan Boesky."
Byron Woods, IndyWeek
| THE HERD | HONEST PINT THEATRE
"Daniel Wilson portrays Claire’s new boyfriend Mark, who is meeting everyone for the first time. He embodies the feelings of the audience members as they voyeuristically watch the layers of emotion from the family being laid bare before their eyes."
Robert O'Connell, Triangle Arts and Entertainment
“Mark, the poet, is in the gentle hands of Daniel Wilson, whose accent was taut and authentic. Wilson gives us a sensitive and charming aesthete. He “gets” this family.”
Martha Keravuori and Chuck Galle, Triangle Arts and Entertainment
"Jess Barbour’s finely nuanced depiction of Claire reveals a comfortless young woman at two crossroads, in both her life and her relationship with the earnest, rough-hewn Mark, whom Daniel Wilson gives great dimensionality in a robust performance."
Byron Woods, IndyWeek
"Lastly, Wilson has performed some of the most challenging roles in the Triangle, among them, the lead role of Pale in Sonorous Road's Burn This and the Polish immigrant Leon Czolgosz in Theatre in the Park's Assassins. The sheer magnitude of talent on this stage was evident as the climax to this show came crashing down."
Alan R. Hall, CVNC - (Classical Voice of North Carolina)
"Mark, played with calm affability by Daniel Wilson, offers the right combination of subtle wit and comic relief. His presence in Claire’s life offers up the most hope for some happiness in this family’s future."
Kim Jackson, RDU On Stage
| BURN THIS | SONOROUS ROAD REPERTORY THEATRE
"The playwright does no favors for the actor playing Pale, whose talky, stream-of-consciousness monologs must have a dangerous edge along with veiled vulnerability. Dan Wilson manages the wildness well enough but comes into his own with moving layers of disappointment and hurt."
Roy Dicks, Raleigh News and Observer
"Pale, or Jimmy, Robbie’s brother, is painted with a broad brush by Daniel P. Wilson. His domination of the stage for the entire second scene of the first act is breathtaking — truly running an emotional gamut from calm serenity to explosive abusiveness, and sliding into nostalgic sweetness only to suddenly morph into thuggishness. The audience is never sure of his stability, and yet is consumed by his complete control of the action."
Martha Keravuori and Chuck Galle, Triangle Arts and Entertainment
| ASSASSINS | THEATRE IN THE PARK
Martha Keravuori and Chuck Galle, Triangle Arts and Entertainment
"Daniel Wilson captures the gravitas of Polish immigrant Leon Czolgosz, provoked by injustices to assassinate William McKinley."
Byron Woods, Indy Week
"Daniel Wilson masters the accent and disgruntled disposition of Polish anarchist Leon Czolgosz."
Dustin K. Britt, (Archived) Chatham Life & Style
| ON GOLDEN POND | LOS ALTOS STAGE COMPANY
"By June, the Thayers learn that daughter Chelsea intends to bring her boyfriend, Bill Ray (earnest Daniel P. Wilson) and his son Billy Ray to Golden Pond to help Norman celebrate his 80th birthday. Wilson’s Bill Ray takes a while to get into his role, but who can blame him for feeling ill-at-ease, arriving at the home of his girlfriend’s father who has likely been described as a mean, uncaring father by Chelsea. It’s hard to imagine Norman like that, because Lambert isn’t quite gruff enough. But Wilson shows some real backbone when he realizes Norman is deliberately trying to bait him. “You’re having a good time, aren’t you? Getting into my head? You’re just jerking me around.” After that, Norman shows more respect for his future son-in-law."
Joanne Engelhardt, Mercury News
| MAN OF LA MANCHA | LOS ALTOS STAGE COMPANY
"In his defense, Cervantes (played seriously yet sensitively by Daniel P. Wilson) puts on a play about a man who dreams of a time gone by, of knights and chivalry, of “The Quest.” Don Quixote, also played by Wilson but now with gusto and childlike innocence, sees past the injustices of reality and urges the people he meets to rise above their pasts. “Always look forward. There are no birds in last year’s nest.
Any hopes of a long nap in the second act were dashed by the song “The Impossible Dream,” which was very popular in the 1960s, and I noticed a number of people mouthing the words. Wilson did an excellent job here. It can’t be easy following in the footsteps of Frank Sinatra and Placido Domingo."
Tony Lacy-Thompson, Mercury News
"Solid performances... There are solid actors in the Los Altos production. Daniel P. Wilson is a hypnotic Cervantes/Quixote. In his mission to offer help to all who need it, he gets the prisoners dancing in the first song, “Man of La Mancha.” I first saw “La Mancha” when Richard Kiley — after winning his Broadway Tony Award — performed it at the Curran Theater in San Francisco in 1967. The current Los Altos production holds up well."
John Angell Grant, Palo Alto Daily Post
| URINETOWN | LOS ALTOS STAGE COMPANY
"Daniel P. Wilson and Michael Weiland act their way through a well-sung Lockstock and Barrel, respectively, cop connection that is fun to watch develop through the course of the show. Their duet “Cop Song,” is a movement highlight for Weiland and an enjoyable vocal turn for Wilson and is one of Michael Ryken’s staging highlights..."
Marc Gonzales, Blog Review of Urinetown
| CHANGING BOUNDARIES: THE HISTORY OF SAN JOSE | FEATURE FILM
"There also was another unexpected curveball. With just days to go before its gala premiere, Peter Coyote, the actor whose unmistakable voice had been scheduled to provide the film’s narration, was battling a cold and was forced to pull out of the project at the last minute. While some filmmakers might see this as a devastating blow, Creason-Valencia found the silver lining.
“The good news is now I’ll be able to hire a local San Jose actor, and that makes me happy,” Creason-Valencia said.
It’ll in fact be the voice of Daniel Wilson, the associate artistic director of the Los Altos Stage Company, that guides the audience through San Jose’s history as an early Spanish settlement, a state capital, a city that was the launchpad for Cesar Chavez and ultimately the sprawling, self-proclaimed capital of Silicon Valley.
And wouldn’t you know, Wilson — who has 35 plays and several commercials under his belt — is a seventh-generation San Josean."
Sal Pizarro, Mercury News
Directing Reviews & More
| HAROLD & MAUDE | LOS ALTOS STAGE COMPANY
"Dan Wilson, associate artistic director of Los Altos Stage Company, is directing the show, which he said has required some creative fixes in order to work on the theater company's small stage. Originally written for Broadway, the script takes place in seven separate locations, which Wilson needed to convey without relying on physical set changes, so he turned to his friend and videographer, Christopher Peoples, of Allegory Productions in San Jose. Peoples created a variety of still and video projections that help establish location, and Wilson said he is pleased with the outcome. "He did a great job in helping me to realize my vision."
Nick Veronin, Worth a Look - Palo Alto Weekly - On LASC's Harold & Maude
"It’s pretty surprising that 43 years have passed since the release of the film 'Harold and Maude,' but it actually was released in 1971, and for fans of the cult favorite — as well as people who have never seen the film — the Los Altos Stage Company is providing a rich interpretation of it through May 4 at Bus Barn Theater in Los Altos. Los Altos Stage associate artistic director Daniel P. Wilson came up with a novel approach in directing this production. Because “Harold and Maude” is primarily known as a movie, it seems eminently logical that a large screen begins showing a film (starting with some exterior shots of the historic Bourn home at Filoli Estate in Woodside), dissolving into the name of the play and “starring” the actors. It’s a clever bit that is used frequently throughout the evening to show various scenes that would have been difficult to replicate on stage (such as Harold hanging by a noose in the opulent family living room).
Both the photographic stills as well as the short videos are the work of video designer Christopher Peoples, who worked hand-in-glove with Wilson in making it appear that Harold sometimes walks right out of the video onto the stage. It’s handled beautifully… There’s also an in-joke that’s worth noting. The Chasen foyer features a large formal portrait of a very proper Mrs. Chasen, while Maude’s little curiosity-filled apartment has a big, bold painting of Maude in nothing but her birthday suit. Which seems to go together so well with Maude’s mantra: Live life to the fullest because life is the most precious gift of all. This production is a gift for theatergoers. Don’t miss it.
Joanne Engelhardt, Mercury News Review of Harold and Maude at LASC
| CATCH-22 | LOS ALTOS STAGE COMPANY
"Catch-22: A paradoxical situation from which an individual can’t escape because of contradictory rules or requirements. Los Altos Stage Company deserves a medal (maybe one of the phony ones worn by Col. Cathcart) for bringing a seldom-performed, not easily understood, wacky, revolting and decidedly comic play to Bus Barn Theater. That would be “Catch-22,” Joseph Heller’s iconic 1961book about the ravages of war on the psyche of some of the men who fought in World War II. Serious subject: yes. Frightfully funny play: yes.
Though Heller himself wrote the stage adaptation in 1971, it wasn’t considered a successful play. In fact, it’s possible it hasn’t been produced in the Bay Area in the last decade or longer. So Los Altos Stage Artistic Director Gary Landis and his soon-departing associate artistic director Dan Wilson decided to remedy that by selecting “Catch-22,” which Wilson directs and in which Landis convincingly (and hilariously) portrays two very memorable characters..."
Joanne Engelhardt, The Daily News (Mercury News) Review of LASC's Catch-22
| LEADERSHIP CHANGE | LOS ALTOS STAGE COMPANY
"...Most companies are content to announce a new season, but this one decided to go for the trifecta—new name, new leadership and new season lineup.
The board also announced the promotion of Landis to executive director and Daniel P. Wilson to associate artistic director of the Los Altos Stage Company. Landis will oversee both the administrative operations and artistic programs of the theater. Wilson will work with Landis to develop and implement the theater's artistic and education programs.
Reeder said Landis had successfully guided both sides of the theater since the departure of the previous artistic director last year. In fact, things got better, she said.
"Under his leadership, attendance has increased, donations have increased, and, in partnership with Dan, the quality of our productions remains outstanding. The Board is unanimous in its support for Gary and Dan."
L.A. Chung, Los Altos Stage Company Steps Out - for the Patch
"The board also reported the promotion of Gary Landis to executive director and Daniel P. Wilson to associate artistic director. The press release noted that Landis will work closely with the board and oversee the theater’s administrative operations and artistic programs, while Wilson will assist Landis in developing and implementing the artistic and educational programs.
“Since last year’s departure of the theater’s former artistic director (Barbara J. Cannon), Gary has successfully guided both the artistic and operational sides of the company,” Reeder said. “Under his leadership, attendance has increased, donations have increased, and, in partnership with Dan, the quality of our productions remains outstanding.”
Los Altos Town Crier Staff - Article on Bus Barn Changing its Name
"That funky little theater company on Hillview Avenue in Los Altos is looking to become much more community-focused and more representative of the Los Altos of 2013 than in the past. That’s the aim of the new management team of Gary Landis and Dan Wilson, both of whom came on board last year after longtime artistic director Barbara Cannon left.
First step was to rename the theater from Bus Barn to Los Altos Stage Company. Another meaningful step is to establish a much-closer relationship with the Los Altos Youth Theatre, which uses the same theater space three times a year. Landis said he and Wilson, the associate artistic director, “are working to increase the experience and amenities for our audiences and our actors. We think we’ve already turned a corner in some ways, with improvements in our promotions and in some of our production elements.” That apparently paid off, with ticket sales higher for “Q” than for most shows, with a number of sell-out performances. The duo also developed a Facebook page, which allows them to advertise what’s going on at the theater and also enables patrons to respond by “liking” and talking about productions they attend.
Play selection is another key element, and Landis said he and Wilson are excited about the 2013-2014 season. It’s obvious there are a lot of big plans brewing at that little Hillview Avenue theater right now. As Landis pointed out, “We’re small, but we’re scrappy!”
Joanne Engelhardt, Mercury News Article on LASC's Big Changes