What People are Saying ...
"It’s what you’d want in a cabaret: it’s personal, it has both humour and heart, and both Brad and Patti are compelling performers." Liz Nicholls, Edmonton Journal, June 8, 2013
"Treats of the edible kind aren’t just referenced in the show; eating is involved." Liz Nicholls, Edmonton Journal, June 4, 2013
"It took her a lot of courage and 20 years to be able to talk about that photograph. What happened was devastating." GigCity, Edmonton, June 5, 2013
"Patti Loach .... a woman at the top of her powers. Her playing is precise and spirited and her presence - with buzzing energy in a thin frame and wiry blonde hair that threatens to explode - often belies her role as a "mere" background performer." Don Wall, Forever Young News, June 2013
FIVE STARS!!!!! "a tour de force of intimate storytelling and musical magic" Drew Rowsome, MGTStage, May 2013
"Cozy cabaret elicits big emotions." Drew Rowsome, FAB Magazine, October 2012
"The Picture of Happiness feels like spending an hour... with a very talented friend who revels in the act of (story) telling and also just happens to sing like a dream." Drew Rowsome, FAB Magazine, October 16, 2012
"Brad Hampton's tale of the consequences of keeping family secrets... is tuneful, funny and ultimately heart-breaking." Drew Rowsome, FAB Magazine, October 16, 2012
"Pianist Patti Loach... creates music to illustrate any and all moods... thoughtful and passionately performed..." Drew Rowsome, FAB Magazine, October 16, 2012
"The two have an almost empathic skill... and believe utterly in the pathos and joy of the story." Drew Rowsome, FAB Magazine, October 16, 2012
"Seeing the Picture of Happiness in an intimate setting is a perfect underline to the telling of secrets but also a chance to get close before the show inevitably moves to larger venues." Drew Rowsome, FAB Magazine, October 16, 2012
"30s photograph opens the door to a family's secret." Jon Kaplan, Now Magazine, October 18, 2012
"...a very personal journey inspired by Hampton's family history, interspersed with songs from musical theatre... Hampton and Loach were in excellent form..." John Terauds, Musical Toronto, October 21, 2012
"...every syllable and note (is) delivered entirely in the moment." John Terauds, Musical Toronto, October 21, 2012
"One more observation last night was on the quality of Loach's playing. This was show music rendered with a grace, subtlety and craft that could put many an art song or opera accompanist to shame." John Terauds, Musical Toronto, October 21, 2012
"(As) Leo Tolstoy wrote, 'Art is human activity having for its purpose the transmission to others of the highest and best feelings to which men have risen.' Mission accomplished." John Terauds, Musical Toronto, October 21, 2012
"Toronto actor Brad Hampton has developed an excellent cabaret show with pianist Patti Loach about a single gay man who finally finds his rightful place in the world, thanks to an old family photograph. Hampton is charismatic, he and Loach have excellent chemistry, the songs are just the right mix of funny, touching and irreverent, and the show's timing is impeccable, thanks to director Rae Ellen Bodie's careful guidance." John Terauds, Musical Toronto, October 15, 2012
"From the first time I experienced Picture of Happiness, I became an instant fan of Brad Hampton and Patti Loach." Fred Penner
The Picture of Happiness: excerpts at Birdland, New York City, November 14th, 2011
"Patti Loach and Brad Hampton were hilarious." Jim Caruso, "Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Birdland"
The Picture of Happiness at Le Salon Secret, August 18th, 19th and 20th, 2001
"Part cabaret, part theatre, all heart! A sublimely-moving experience. Every song touched me in one way or another; your last song, "Listen to My Heart", pushed me over the edge. With a set of well-chosen songs, Brad Hampton and Patti Loach invite us to explore with them the hidden truths behind a sepia-toned family photo. Thank you, Brad and Patti, for the luminous performances you gave last night! And thank you, Bill." Joe Ringhofer
"When Brad tells his story, you feel as though you are the only person in the room and he's looking right at you." Beth Hall
"What a delightful evening and a meaningful performance. Thank you so much for including us." Constance Marlatt
"We have both been thinking about Brad and his family, and how difficult it must have been for all of them. How fortunate we are to be living when and where we do..." Sasha Darling
"Still dancing! Thank you for the amazing company and evening." Linda Bradbeer
