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‘Amadeus’ Review: Jefferson Mays Shines as a Funny and Frothing Salieri in a Gorgeously Mounted, Essential Revival at the Pasadena Playhouse
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‘Amadeus’ Review: Jefferson Mays Shines as a Funny and Frothing Salieri in a Gorgeously Mounted, Essential Revival at the Pasadena Playhouse

#Amadeus #Jefferson Mays #Pasadena Playhouse #Salieri #Mozart #theater review #Peter Shaffer

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Jefferson Mays delivers a standout performance as Salieri
  • The production is described as 'gorgeously mounted' and essential
  • 'Amadeus' is framed as a love triangle between Salieri, God, and Mozart
  • The revival explores themes of genius, envy, and artistic divinity

📖 Full Retelling

Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Chris Willman reviewed a production of 'Amadeus' at the Pasadena Playhouse on February 26, 2026, praising actor Jefferson Mays' exceptional portrayal of the conflicted composer Antonio Salieri in what he describes as a gorgeously mounted and essential revival of Peter Shaffer's classic play. Willman frames the narrative as a compelling love triangle between Salieri, the God he desperately seeks favor from, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who embodies divine musical talent that Salieri both admires and resents. The reviewer highlights how Mays masterfully navigates the character's complex psychology, wavering between piety and murderous jealousy, creating a performance that is simultaneously funny and disturbing. Willman notes that this particular revival stands out not only for its stellar performances but also for its production values, making it a must-see production that powerfully explores themes of genius, envy, and the divine nature of artistic creation.

🏷️ Themes

Theater, Performance, Music, Revival

📚 Related People & Topics

Pasadena Playhouse

Pasadena Playhouse

Theater in California, U.S.

Pasadena Playhouse is a Tony Award-winning historic performing arts venue located at 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California. The 686-seat auditorium produces a variety of cultural and artistic events, professional shows, and community engagements each year.

View Profile → Wikipedia ↗
Antonio Salieri

Antonio Salieri

Italian composer and teacher (1750–1825)

Antonio Salieri (18 August 1750 – 7 May 1825) was an Italian composer and teacher of the classical period. He was born in Legnago, south of Verona, in the Republic of Venice, and spent his adult life and career as a subject of the Habsburg monarchy. Salieri was a pivotal figure in the development of...

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Jefferson Mays

Jefferson Mays

American actor

Lewis Jefferson Mays (born June 8, 1965) is an American actor. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, a Helen Hayes Award, a Lucille Lortel Award, two Drama Desk Awards, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and three Obie Awards.

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Composer (1756–1791)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791) was a Classical composer and musician. In his brief life, he completed more than 800 works including outstanding examples of most of the genres of his time: symphonies, concertos, chamber music, opera, and choral music. Born in Salzburg, M...

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Amadeus

Topics referred to by the same term

Amadeus may refer to:

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Original Source
Feb 26, 2026 6:31pm PT ‘Amadeus’ Review: Jefferson Mays Shines as a Funny and Frothing Salieri in a Gorgeously Mounted, Essential Revival at the Pasadena Playhouse By Chris Willman Plus Icon Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic ChrisWillman Latest ‘Amadeus’ Review: Jefferson Mays Shines as a Funny and Frothing Salieri in a Gorgeously Mounted, Essential Revival at the Pasadena Playhouse 9 minutes ago CMA Fest Announces 2026 Stadium Lineup, Including Ella Langley, Zach Top, Cody Johnson, Tim McGraw, Shaboozey and Red Clay Strays 1 day ago Driver Who Killed the Dixie Chicks’ Original Singer in Head-On Crash Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison 2 days ago See All Peter Shaffer’s “ Amadeus ” is, at heart, a great love triangle. At one vortex, there’s 18 th century composer Antonio Salieri, wavering between piety and murderous peevishness. At another corner, there’s the God whose favor Salieri craves, quite unrequitedly. And then, standing between them, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , God’s true love, or at least it seems to Salieri for a while. It’s a pleasure to report that all three of these roles are exceptionally well-played in a splendid new production at the Pasadena Playhouse , here to remind us that genius and the lack of it can both be hell. Related Stories 'Bridgerton' Season 4 Boss on Benedict and Sophie's Happy Ending, That Post-Credits Scene, New Whistledown Mystery and Why She Won't Recast Daphne and Simon
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