“Annette Kaplafka plays the part of Hippolita and she is fantastic. Her male counterparts consistently make comments about women and their hysterics, and Kaplafka takes her female role and devours them. She does not skip a beat as her character experiences pure distress throughout, all caused by males around her, and all at her character’s expense. Hippolita’s anguish is felt intensely; Kaplafka is sublime, and she gives justice to women who have been called crazy and hysterical for calling out the men around them.”

“feline-with-a-bullwhip Xena controls not only the money, but Briquet’s briquettes…. Annette Kaplafka’s Xena owned the stage in her every moment.”

“Another scene like that, both in intensity and added entertainment… is one in which Annette Kaplafka, an excellent Ophelia at Hedgerow last season, playing the co-owner of the circus and a rather daring lion tamer, displays her jealousy at Bezano preferring Consuelo by treating him like one of her lions, one that is in particularly need of discipline. She hunts Grinberg’s felinely agile Bezano across the stage, barking orders, cracking her whip, and using a chair for effect. It’s a stunning bit of theater that really does show the passion of Kaplafka’s character, Xena.”

“When the American Theatre Critics Association met in Philadelphia during the month of April, there was plenty of food for thought and discussion revolving around some absorbing, ingenious plays. One of my favorites was “He Who Get’s Slapped,” … especially an attractive woman, played with sultry charm by Annette Kaplafka.”

“Annette Kaplafka makes you care so much for Ophelia because she is obviously Hamlet’s match and seems as astute as her father or brother. This is an Ophelia who can follow her father’s orders obediently but who betrays her deep regard and probable love for Hamlet. The bestowal of this love is more flattering because Kaplafka’s Ophelia conveys such maturity and common sense. She is not a girl mooning after a prince who has paid her attention but a woman who can make her own evaluations and who knows her heart. Kaplafka makes Ophelia impressive which makes the character’s downfall sadder and more of a shame.”

“Annette Kaplafka, another Guest Artist, is riveting as Ophelia. Her performance in the mad scene was heart wrenching.”