Velma Kelly in “Chicago”
Rose Alvarez in “Bye Bye Birdie”
“As Rose Alvarez, a part originated by Broadway icon Chita Rivera in the original New York stage production of “Bye, Bye Birdie,” Jamie Karen is bright, witty, sassy, magnetic and alluring. It’s a dream role for any actress and Karen is pure magic from start to finish. She dances up a storm in solo numbers that are beautifully choreographed to complement her dance and rhythmic finesse and leading lady status. Acting wise, she’s real, honest and independent, which makes her performance breezy, entertaining and entirely watchable. Vocally, she’s nails every single song Rose is given to sing with a natural confidence, range and believability.”
Mary Delgado in “Jersey Boys”
“Karen is especially touching as Valli’s first wife, a tough neighborhood girl who gets lost in the shuffle of success.”
“The subtle performance of Jamie Karen as Mary Delgado is the best supporting actress role in a musical. Her stage time isn’t as much as the gentlemen, of course, but the timing of her skill is masterful. I feel certain she has a bright future.”
Jamie Karen (center) appeared in the first national tour and Las Vegas companies production of Jersey Boys as the wife of Frankie Valli, Mary Delgado.
“Spamalot” at the Hollywood Bowl
Jamie appeared in the First national Tour of Spamalot as the minstrel, she also covered and performed the Lady of the Lake. She recently revisited The Holy Grail at The Hollywood Bowl.
Anita in “West Side Story”
“Jamie Karen and her Shark leader boyfriend, Bernardo, played by Enrique Acevedo, played particularly volatile Latin lovers. If this were American Bandstand, ‘they’d be the couple you couldn’t take your eyes off.’”
“The young, attractive cast makes every move to snap, crackle and pop.
Even better is Jamie Karen as Anita. Full of fire, lust and a sarcasm that masks her pain, Karen is a worthy successor to Chita Rivera and Rita Moreno. ”
“Jamie Karen, was all zip and sizzle taking on the pivotal role of Anita, Bernando’s girlfriend and Maria’s friend, as well. Karen provided high-octane performance on such numbers as “America” and “A Boy Like That.””
“In particular, Jamie Karen, who played Anita, revealed unexpected depths in her characterization when she sang “A Boy Like That.” Her fear and resentment were excruciating to watch in the drugstore scene, where she is sexually abused and humiliated by the rival Jet gang members. Highly versatile, she dominated the saucy comedy number “America,” which sarcastically comments on the Puerto Rican romanticization of the homeland as compared to real life in the Big City of A-mer-i-ca. ”
“Making the most dynamic impression in the strong cast is Jamie Karen as Anita, Bernando’s spirited girlfriend. Karen give Anita both a natural sensuality and an engaging sensitivity”
“But it is Jamie Karen as Anita who has formidable shoes to fill. Actresses Chita Rivera and Rita Moreno made the most of the role on stage and screen respectively. Karen does an admirable job of following in their spirited footsteps. Poised in the dramatic moments, rich-voiced and agile, she delivers the most appealing performance of the night.”
Jamie Karen as Anita in West Side Story