"When is a one-man show a two-man show? When you see 'Buddy's Gift,' you soon realize that Jack Simmons has crafted this intensely personal monologue to his late father, Buddy Simmons. Since a major part of the tale deals with the afterlife experiences where Buddy contacts the family from the beyond, one gets the eerie sense that Jack is not alone - that Buddy is somewhere near, guiding the course of the play. Simmons is not only charismatic, he's a great storyteller and with a sincere, eloquent delivery. Funny, poignant, mystical and compelling 'Buddy's Gift' will continue to pack them in..."

-Entertainment Today

Buddys Gift is the kind of work that sneaks up on you. Its form is familiar and disarming. That's what makes Simmons' material so moving. Simmons puts us at ease with his regular-guy persona, then deftly reaches in and gives our hearts a tug. It's an impressive feat of theatrical legerdemain. There's undeniable power in this outwardly modest work. Simmons has found a way to use his gentle-giant persona as a foil, delivering a story of profound spirituality in the guise of a lighthearted evening chat He's proved himself a writer and performer of surprising substance. Like his dad, Simmons is much more than meets the eye."

-Orange County Register

"Buddy's gallant humor in the face of death is heroic, and the details of his passing are rendered lovingly by his son."

-Los Angeles Times

"This is a ghost story told with such sober urgency, it is impossible not to be drawn in."

-LA Weekly

"Whether you believe in this paranormal stuff or not, the story is interesting."

-Back Stage West

"Spending an evening with Jack Simmons made me think, cry and wonder at the same time - it was truly a memorable experience. The play runs through April 1* - don't miss it!"

www.reviewplays.com

"As a performer, Simmons, whose career is largely in stand-up, he essays a different style for his play. Affable and funny, he holds the audience effortlessly."

www.CurtainUp.com

"Whatever you do, don't miss Buddy's Gift, the warm and funny one-man show that tells, with intimate emotion, the story of a family who has lost their loving patriarch. This is a one-in-a-lifetime theater experience and a wonderful performance from the star and writer, Jack Simmons."

-Beverly Hills Weekly

"It is easy to be skeptical about life-after-death episodes, but as Simmons says, 'even if you don't believe in them, I do.' The proof is in the warm, sincere way he tells his story, avoiding the didactic shrillness of the ideologue, eschewing sentimentality as much as possible. There are strong dramatics in the course of the monologue, especially when Simmons describes the moment of his father's death and follows it up with a brief, but achingly beautiful dirge on his harmonica."

Total Theater Online