“Refuge is a gripping border story that focuses on people, not politics”
-Lisa Kennedy | The Denver Post
“REFUGE Beautifully Unwraps the Harrowing Crisis for Migrants Crossing the Border… a breathtaking story. With layered artist collaboration, it showcases the impact of bilingual storytelling pouring from every corner of the production.”
-Ellie Sullum | 303 Magazine
“In addition to strong acting, the singing throughout is tremendous. All the actors can “bring it,” but Jnani-Chávez’s high notes bring the house down.”
-John Barnett | Onstage Colorado
“This show. Just, wow. It’s oh-my-god. It’s holy crap! It’s all of the feels. Stunning and breathtaking... I was absolutely stirred in emotion. I’m not a hype-man, nor am I a part of Curious Theatre’s marketing team. I’m a theatre critic and I am much honored to be one of the first to review the world premiere of Refuge.”
-Edwin Lobach | Denver Theater Perspectives
“‘Superb, astonishing, open and direct, a must see’, were just a few of the accolades following the opening night of the world premiere of REFUGE at the Denver’s Curious Theatre March 5, 2022. The five minute rousing standing ovation at the end of the production was a further testament to the excellence of this heart wrenching, thought provoking play.”
-Latin Life Denver
“For some audience members, the chunks of Spanish not translated might frustrate. It’s hard not to want to grasp every word spoken. Yet one can glean a great deal from gestures, intonation, context. Still. it’s not as comfortable as understanding the language. Precisely.”
-Lisa Kennedy | The Denver Post
“Refuge offers a powerful look at the realities faced by migrants trying to enter the U.S. But its focus on both sides of the fence — both literal and all-too-real — offers a collective sense of hope that seems in short supply these days.”
-John Barnett | Onstage Colorado
“Where Did We Sit on the Bus? is a high energy, tour-de-force theatrical experience that examines what it means to be Latinx in America.”
-A.A. Cristi | Broadway World
“Be prepared to be dazzled...I mean really DAZZLED! … What makes this performance so unique is the amazing talent of Chávez who plays a number of musical instruments that include a Guitarlele (small guitar), Spanish guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, harmonica, beat box, various computers and percussion. Using a sophisticated array of Loopers she literally builds an orchestra in the air adding a chorus of singing and beat boxing to the layered mix for a truly unique experience.”
-Mark Horning
“This is Bee's musical world where Chavez and the design team tell her story in a seamless and continually entertaining stream of words, notes and sound effects…"Where Did We Sit On The Bus?" is theatrical delight with a big and boisterous heart.”
-Christine Howey | Cleveland SCENE
“A narrator of her own bildungsroman of sorts, Chávez hooks you from the beginning with her beatboxing and ukulele strumming…. Chávez brings terrific stamina as she meditates on lessons learned about the slave trade and Black History month juxtaposed with the lack of representation of her own culture. Her charismatic performance brings an audience to an experience that has been historically unseen and deserves to be heard.”
-Kate Barry | Arts-Louisville
“But she did everything. She said actor, but she was the entire film crew… That meant Chávez also had to set up scenes, plus wardrobe, hair and makeup, and checking to make sure all of the correct microphones were turned on. She also looped all of the music, which they filmed in a way to “stay true to the liveness” of it.”
-Stephanie Wolf | 89.3 WFPL
“UNIVERSALLY CHARMING and HEARTWARMING”
- Michael Quintos | Broadway World
“The music is GLORIOUS”
-Craig L. Byrd | Cultural Attaché
“Ms. Chavez, instantly likable, delivers lines with such charm and enthusiasm she almost walks away with the show.”
- Chris Daniels | The Show Report
“POWERHOUSE PERFORMANCES”
-Patrick Chavis | Orange Curtain Review
“In particular I really loved Chavez’s performance as Maggie, who for most of the play is merely a waiter that the rest of the cast infrequently interacts with, but she ends up performing an astounding musical number, which completely surprised and impressed me.”
- James Brod | Third Coast Review
“This show is another reminder that you don't see better acting on any Chicago stage than Jackalope's.”
-Justin Hayford | Chicago Reader
“…Chavez … demonstrates her comedic timing, Midwest dialect and lovely singing. She is at the center of the play’s memorable final moments and, as a newcomer to Chicago, I hope she’ll be a part of many more.”
- Kevin Greene | New City Stage
“Satya Jnani Chavez plays a pivotal role at the end of the play; her upbeat humbleness does a number on the viewer.”
-Sarah Bowden | Theatre By Numbers
“Not only did Arizona Theatre Company's production of José Cruz González's vibrant new comedy, American Mariachi, generate rave reviews, the show was the best-selling play ever staged at the Temple of Music & Art in Tucson.”
-BWW News Desk | Broadway World
“At one point, a young actor named Satya Jnani Chavez, playing the cousin, nearly walks away with the show, you almost can’t take your eyes off of her.”
-Luis Alfaro
“Speaking of jokes, “American Mariachi” provides plentiful laughs, often from Boli (Satya Jnani Chavez), who delivers lines with such enthusiasm and charm that she often has the whole theater laughing… Chavez’s Boli has the voice of an angel…”
-Serena O'Sullivan | Downtown Devil
“This show is cast with talented women. Christen Celaya and Satya Jnani Chavez were both instantly likable… Their performances makes the rest of the story believable”
-Leigh Moyer | Tucson Weekly
“Music director Satya Chavez uses her luminous voice, deft curto strumming and folk-song savvy to further meld the two locales.”
-Lisa Kennedy | The Know
“Complex and multi-layered, it all flows well under Chip Walton’s careful direction... while the musicians, especially luminous Satya Chavez, flow back and forth across the entire front part of the stage.”
-Sonya Ellingboe | Highlands Ranch Herald
“But the best performance of the night goes to Satya Jnani Chavez, who plays Ariel’s best pal Rusty. Chavez was a delight every time she was on stage — hilarious to watch, with a show-stopping voice to match.”
-Amanda Moutinho | Boulder Weekly
“Satya has a compelling stage presence and a powerful voice; here’s hoping they continue to find roles for her at BDT... As Rusty, Chavez owned her moments and frequently stood out among the cast.”
- Chris Arneson | Boulder Magazine
“Chavez in particular shines as the heartfelt high school student Rusty; her delivery of Deniece Williams' "Let's Hear It For the Boy" is a musical high point of the show.”
- A.H. Goldstein | Daily Camera