THE TEMPEST The Old Globe, San Diego
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“Given the exoticism, excitement, and just plain coolness Ben Diskant brings to Ariel, fans of Adrian Noble's first-rate production will want this studly sprite around for as long as possible. The multifaceted Diskant—stilts, wings, you name it—is marvelous.” - Evan Henerson, BACKSTAGE “Though quite funny at times, the production excels in its poignancy. In particular, the interchanges between Prospero and Ariel (Diskant) . . . Diskant’s Ariel, played with restrained glee, is palpably bewitched by the prospect of freedom. The interplay between the two is, in and of itself, magical.” - Josh Baxt, CultureVulture.net “Some of the best moments in Noble's production involve his spirit chorus . . . They're led by Ariel . . . beautifully played and sung by Globe MFA student Ben Diskant, who sweeps around the stage with a birdlike grace in a gravity-defying silver wig and his lean, ripped chest and arms exposed.” - Pam Kragen, North County Times "Actors usually play Ariel, the spirit-servant, as an enlarged version of Tinkerbell. Not Ben Diskant. His hair a cross between a fright-wig and Queen Nefertiti’s flat-topped headdress, the tall, slender Diskant gives the spirit a graceful physicality, even on stilts . . . Ben Diskant's athletic Ariel, who, in a perfect choice, wants to but doesn't quite trust his master's promise of freedom.” - Jeff Smith, San Diego Reader “Equally engaging is Ben Diskant as Ariel. With the arduous task of convincing theatergoers of his character’s humanity alongside the magical aspect of play, Diskant is able to execute this, as well as suspend time and belief for audience members.” - San Diego Entertainer Magazine “Ariel is played by Ben Diskant, an imposing lad with bold abs who always seems to be involved in the drumming, singing or magical movement.” - Welton Jones, SanDiego.com “Prospero has the assistance of the sprite Ariel (terrifically and athletically played by Ben Diskant who sings as well as dances).” - Jack Lyons, Desert Local News “Among the large cast, my favorites are . . . Diskant, for those muscles and stilts and the most outrageous costumes of all.” - Jean Lowerison, SDGLN Theater Critic “As Ariel, Globe/USD MFA student Ben Diskant holds his own with strong vocals and budding presence.” - Charlene Bladridge, Words Are Not Enough “Anderson’s Prospero is heartbreaking, while Ben Diskant’s performance as Ariel is truly gossamer. There’s a beautiful moment they share that shows how much they really care for each other.” - Patricia Morris Buckley, San Diego Uptown News "In this magical island of the imagination, an other-worldly Ariel, beautifully inhabited by Ben Diskant, flits about with blue, stand-up, cotton candy hair . . . Ben Diskant makes a wondrous Ariel, blue hair and all " - Pat Launer, KSDS Center Stage Jazz 88.3 "I’ve seen a lot of Ariels in my time and Diskant is certainly the most ripped abs-wise I’ve come across. And when he appears winged with his blue mane standing on end there is no doubt about the fear he can manage to conjure up in the hearts of Prospero’s targets." - Out West Arts “Diskant's glee in Ariel's mischief-making” - Reed Johnson, Los Angeles Times "Ben Diskant, one of the MFAs in The Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program, has the huge part of devout Ariel. He stands out with his singing in this season’s Much Ado About Nothing, and he enchants the audience in The Tempest, captivating them with his graceful approach, bedtime-fairytale singing and eagerness to please." - Melissa Crismon, PlayShakespeare.com |
SPEECH & DEBATE
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“Part of the appeal of this production was that each actor seemed born to play their role. Ben Diskant . . . immediately makes you feel something for this kid.” - Kristin Santa Maria, The Observer “Ben Diskant is perfect as the nerdy school reporter Solomon.” - Don Church & Tony Schillaci, Metroline (New England) “Diskant plays the contrary emotions of the repressed teen well.” - Frank Rizzo, Behind The Curtain “Under Henry Wishcamper's fluid direction, the young cast is perfect. Ben Diskant is squirmingly dorky as Solomon.” - Chris Rohmann, Valley Advocate “As Solomon, Ben Diskant's demeanor as an earnest reporter, coupled with his hesitancy when schoolmates challenge him, are charming and believable.” - Hartford Courant |
THE WINTER'S TALE
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“Also strong . . . Ben Diskant, who wrote and performs some kooky songs in the second act as the wily pickpocket Autolycus, and (of all the actors) seems the most at ease with an audience.” - Pam Kragen, North County Times “Special kudos to Ben Diskant, a delight as the rogue Autolycus and a composer and singer à la Bob Dylan or Woody Guthrie.” - Jean Lowerison, SDGLN Theater Critic “The clowns--Adam Daveline as the Shepard, Grayson DeJesus as his son, and Ben Diskant as Autolycus--are worth seeing” - Charlene Baldridge, Curtain Calls |
THE HISTORY BOYS
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“Scripps (Ben Diskant), a religious young man who provides insight to the boys' lives. Diskant is properly earnest and good as Scripps.” - Tim Plant, MetroWeekly (Washington D.C.) “With a trained musician in the cast as Scripps (a fine Ben Diskant)” - Two Hours Traffic |