Nehassaiu's debut book-length collection of poems, Music for Exile, has been reviewed in:
The Literary Review
The Literary Review
& Press Clippings
from "OR,", Shakespeare & Co.
"If there is an audacious, unbridled, go-for-broke, Puckish spirit in this production it resides in the diminutive, thoroughly captivating deGannes, who does triple duty as Lady Davenant; Aphra's servant, Maria; and the irrepressible Nell Gwynne, who wins Aphra's love and Charles' lust and demonstrates in the process one can indeed have one's cake and eat it too. This is a woman who embraces the life force and makes her way at full gallop."
––– The Berkshire Eagle
"Nehassaiu deGannes excels in three roles: the flirtatious Nell; a curmudgeonly servant named Maria, whom you really don't want to cross; and best of all, Lady Davenant, an aristocrat who veers into a diatribe that slyly explains why this play is called "Or,".
–––The Boston Globe
––– The Berkshire Eagle
"Nehassaiu deGannes excels in three roles: the flirtatious Nell; a curmudgeonly servant named Maria, whom you really don't want to cross; and best of all, Lady Davenant, an aristocrat who veers into a diatribe that slyly explains why this play is called "Or,".
–––The Boston Globe
"Cordelia" in KING LEAR, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Nehassaiu deGannes brings off the too-rare feat of making a fierce and positive impression as Cordelia instead of fading blandly into the scenery. --- Wall Street Journal
[an] unbendingly honest Cordelia... Nehassaiu deGannes, lovely but far from wimpy--- Chicago Sun Times
Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal, names our KING LEAR one of the country's top productions of 2014 and Larry Yando "Performer Of The Year!"
[an] unbendingly honest Cordelia... Nehassaiu deGannes, lovely but far from wimpy--- Chicago Sun Times
Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal, names our KING LEAR one of the country's top productions of 2014 and Larry Yando "Performer Of The Year!"
"The Angel" in MARISOL, Luna Stage
Ronnie Reich, NJ Star Ledger, names MARISOL Top 10 NJ Stage Performances of 2014!
for Niegel Smith's "authorative direction" and the "excellent cast!"
"Marisol's guardian angel [is] a radiant Nehassaiu deGannes" --- The Star-Ledger
Plus Read the entire NY Times Review featured below:
for Niegel Smith's "authorative direction" and the "excellent cast!"
"Marisol's guardian angel [is] a radiant Nehassaiu deGannes" --- The Star-Ledger
Plus Read the entire NY Times Review featured below:
Diana Sands: A Certain Toughness of Spirit
A versatile, determined, and groundbreaking actress who died young and is now largely forgotten, Diana Sands deserves any overdue remembrance of and tribute to her life and career. The great news about “Diana Sands: A Certain Toughness of Spirit” is that Nehassaiu deGannes is the ideal surrogate for Sands. Bearing a strong physical resemblance to the actress, down to a spot-on wig, the youthful deGannes clearly understands and communicates her subject’s feisty dedication to her career, leavened by a sunny optimism and occasional moments of vulnerability.
–––Backstage
photo credit: Jonathan Musser
–––Backstage
photo credit: Jonathan Musser
The Tallest Building In The World
"... the Port Authority’s public relations woman, played nicely by Nehassaiu deGannes, one of two supporting actors who play multiple roles. Ms. deGannes is also an untraveled Midwestern secretary, who refers to the Chrysler Building as “the shiny one”; and, dressed in a slinky silver Deco-look gown, she portrays the Chrysler Building itself." ---- The New York Times read the review
"deGannes in particular, makes a flashy, passionate Chrysler Building, shining in a silver gown and crown, not an easy part to play." ---Highland Park Mirror
"deGannes' Chryser building does an outstanding job of conveying the sensual nature and adoration of great art."
--- talkinbroadway.com
David Bonanno & Nehassaiu deGannes
photo credit: Lisa Loen
"deGannes in particular, makes a flashy, passionate Chrysler Building, shining in a silver gown and crown, not an easy part to play." ---Highland Park Mirror
"deGannes' Chryser building does an outstanding job of conveying the sensual nature and adoration of great art."
--- talkinbroadway.com
David Bonanno & Nehassaiu deGannes
photo credit: Lisa Loen
"Mrs Muller" in DOUBT, Oldcastle Theatre
Christina Decker & Nehassaiu deGannes
photo credit: Rick Howe
Nehassaiu deGannes plays Mrs. Muller, mother of the young black boy who is at the center of the controversy. If one could stop a play as a musical can be stopped and an encore sung it is her work in this play that would make that happen. Her one scene had strength and depth and fire and even tragedy in her voice and rigid, upright posture. Her love for her flawed child is evident from her first speech and her offering of information about their homelife is the essence of tragedy. deGannes brings empathy with her and receives sympathy from the audience. I found it a brilliant evocation of motherhood in its finest array.––– Berkshire Bright Focus